August 28, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Behailu Birkie, 44, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after the jury found him guilty of three charges of Sexual Assault of a Child. “This victim endured sexual abuse from Birkie not just in our county, but in another state and another country for almost 10 years. We are grateful that this jury returned a maximum sentence,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Birkie was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to the victim.  He sexually abused the victim over the course of 10 years, starting when the victim was 11 years old and living in Ethiopia.  The abuse continued when the victim moved to Plano, Texas, where she lived from the age of 15 to 18. The abuse continued until she turned 21, but was living in Tampa, Florida by that time.  The victim disclosed the abuse to medical personnel in Tampa when she was 21. The abuse was then reported to the Tampa Police Department.

Tampa Police Department Detective Kevin McNiff investigated the case.  After interviewing the victim, Detective McNiff contacted Plano Police Department to report the additional abuse that occurred in Plano, Texas.  Plano Police Department Detective Chris Jones interviewed the victim, who disclosed additional details of abuse.

Sexual assault of a child is a second degree felony, carrying a range of punishment from 2 to 20 years in prison. The jury found Birkie guilty of all three charges and then assessed punishment at 20 years in prison for each charge. For this type of offense, a judge has the discretion to “stack” sentences. Meaning that the judge could determine that a sentence run consecutively, in other words, not begin until the first sentence ends.

Judge Richard Davis presided over the case. After the jury’s verdict, the State asked that the sentences run consecutively. Judge Davis determined that two of the 20-year sentences would run concurrently, but that the third 20-year sentence would run consecutively (not begin until Birkie had served the other two concurrent sentences). Thus 20 + 20 = 40 year sentence total.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Oestreich and Nicola Hines prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Ramnpreet Kaur.

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August 24, 2023

Statement of Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis:

“Billy Chemirmir is an evil person who preyed upon our most vulnerable citizens. Although he is certainly deserving of a death sentence, my decision today is informed by the fact that he has already been tried three times in another county and he will never be a free man again. Chemirmir has already been found guilty of capital murder by two separate Dallas County juries and is now serving two prison sentences of life without parole. My decision was made in consultation with the families of the Collin County victims and in light of the recommendation of the senior prosecutors in my office. I would like to thank the families and loved ones for their patience and grace as the criminal justice system has played out over the years. I pray that they may one day find peace.”

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August 21, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that a jury delivered a 55 year prison sentence to the prolific drug dealer, Curtis Richard Hines, 31, of McKinney, Texas, after finding him guilty of Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, MDMA, and THC with a Deadly Weapon. “Poison pushers profiting off of people’s addicted misery are a menace to society. This man has been a notorious and dangerously armed dope dealer throughout the metroplex for the last five years, despite being sent to prison for it once already. This jury’s verdict sends the message that we will not tolerate poison pushers profiting off of ruined lives in Collin County,” said Willis after sentencing.

In fall of 2022, McKinney Police Department narcotics detectives had been conducting surveillance on Hines for suspicion of dope dealing.  On November 9, 2022, McKinney PD Officer Cary Wittwer conducted a traffic stop of Hines.  Hines consented to a search of his vehicle where multiple bags of marijuana packaged to sell were found.

McKinney PD then executed a search warrant on Hines’ house.  Detectives found 275 grams of cocaine, 214 grams of mushrooms, 51 pounds of marijuana, 1,845 grams of THC gummies, 27 grams of THC wax, 63 grams of THC cartridges, 9 grams of MDMA, thousands of baggies, labels, several scales, and 3 cell phones.

Three firearms were also found in his residence, including an Uzi, a short barreled rifle with a high capacity drum magazine, and a handgun. DPS Special Agent Ronnie Rapert completed forensic examinations of the 3 cell phones belonging to Hines and found thousands of photos of drugs, money, and guns. The phone searches also revealed hundreds of text messages of drug dealing throughout the DFW area. Prosecutors presented this voluminous drug dealing and gun evidence, and the jury found Hines guilty.

In the punishment phase, prosecutors showed the jury Hines’ long history of possessing and selling drugs. In August of 2011, Hines was sentenced to probation for possession of less than 1 gram of methamphetamine.  But in 2014, Hines violated his probation and was sentenced to 9 months in state jail.  Then, in January 2018, Hines was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a Third Degree Felony.  In April 2018, while on bond for the January 2018 charge, Hines was again arrested for Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, this time a 2^nd Degree Felony.  And finally, just one week later, Hines was arrested for two additional charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, another 3^rd Degree Felony and a 1^st Degree Felony.  For all of those 2018 offenses, Hines was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

After hearing his criminal history and considering the facts of the current charges, the jury sentenced Hines to 55 years in prison.

Judge Michael Chitty presided over the case. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Molly Matthews and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Michael Coleman, and Legal Secretary Madeline McGee.

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August 9, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Joseph Marshall Gutierrez, 35, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to life in prison for Online Solicitation of a Minor after being found guilty. “This child predator had already been to prison twice, once for sexual conduct with a child and once for failing to abide by sex offender registration conditions, before he then sought out yet another child for his own sexual desires. He deserves a lifetime locked in a cell as far away from a child as possible,” said Willis after sentencing.

Gutierrez used social media site MeetMe to solicit an undercover officer, who he believed to be a 15 year old female child, for the purposes of engaging in sexual conduct with the child.  Gutierrez set up a meeting location and date of June 3, 2022 at the Super 8 Motel in McKinney, Texas.  Gutierrez showed up to meet the child and was arrested on scene.

Gutierrez brought with him a box of condoms, a sex toy, and his cell phone.  Investigator Travis Monk with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office completed a cell phone extraction of the device and confirmed each message that had been sent from Gutierrez to the undercover officer.

The jury found Gutierrez guilty of Online Solicitation of a Minor.

In the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence to the jury to show that Gutierrez is a habitual offender.  In 2011, Gutierrez was originally sentenced to 7 years deferred probation out of Dallas County for Indecency with a Child.  But in 2013, Gutierrez violated that probation and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. After being released in 2015, Dallas County authorities arrested Gutierrez in June 2016 for not complying with his requirement to register as a sex offender.

Then in December 2016, Gutierrez committed Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member with a Deadly Weapon. In March 2017, Gutierrez was sentenced by Dallas County to 5 years in prison for both the Failure to Register as a Sex Offender charge, a third degree felony, and the Aggravated Assault charge, a first degree felony. Gutierrez completed his parole for these offenses in December 2021, just six months before attempting to prey upon yet another child.

After hearing of this criminal history and considering the facts of the new offense, the jury sentenced Gutierrez to life in prison.

Visiting Judge Michael Chitty presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Molly Matthews and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Michael Coleman and Ryan Harvey, and Legal Secretary Madeline McGee.

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June 28, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) –District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Darius Bradford, 45, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to life in prison following three convictions of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Invasive Visual Recording. “This perpetrator violated the privacy of 23 different women on 47 different occasions by secretly recording up-skirt and undressing videos. He used his job to gain access and his manipulative personality to gain their trust, definitely earning him a life sentence,” said Willis after sentencing.

On August 24, 2022, officers from Plano Police Department responded to an apartment complex after the apartment manager reported that a female resident had caught a maintenance technician named Darius Bradford leaving his cell phone in her bathroom to record her without her consent. When officers arrived, Bradford’s cell phone began remotely erasing.

Despite this attempt to destroy evidence, police found videos of Bradford setting up his cell phone in the victim’s bathroom and leaving it there to record her on three different occasions.

Plano Police Department Detective Steven Sanders was the lead investigator on the case. He found evidence of 47 other invasive videos on Bradford’s cell phones. The videos depicted Bradford secretly recording dozens of victims inside various stores and apartment complexes in the community. One of those victims included the 15-year-old daughter of an ex-girlfriend.

Bradford’s modus operandi was to secretly place his phone in a position that would catch a woman undressing or surreptitiously place his phone at an angle so as to see up a woman’s skirt or dress.

Additionally, the State presented evidence that Bradford had been previously arrested for Invasive Visual Recording at a Ross department store in Dallas County in 2008. Bradford was originally placed on probation but was later sentenced to 30 days in county jail when he failed to go to sex offender treatment. Bradford was again arrested for Invasive Visual Recording after recording a woman at the Galleria mall in 2010, but was never prosecuted.

Under the law, a Burglary of a Habitation is a second degree felony, with a range of punishment of 2 – 20 years in prison. The burglary is enhanced to a first degree felony, with a range of 5 – 99 years or life in prison, when the burglary is committed with the intent to commit a felony other than theft.

Bradford pleaded guilty to the charges and asked the jury to determine his punishment. After considering all of the evidence, as well as Bradford’s criminal history, the jury assessed punishment at life in prison on each charge.

Judge Richard Davis presided over the trial. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Brooke Adams and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman, and Legal Secretary Jessica Ledbetter.

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June 26, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Benny James Phennel, 38, of Princeton, Texas, was sentenced to 45 years in prison without parole after the jury found him guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. “We are proud of this child victim’s courage to disclose her abuse to an adult and to testify against her abuser. And how admirable that her motivation was to protect another child,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Phennel was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to the victim. He sexually abused the victim over the course of two years, starting when the victim was 10 years old. The victim disclosed the abuse to family members after becoming concerned that another child was going to be spending the night with Phennel. When confronted by the victim’s family, Phennel admitted that he had “messed around” with the victim. The abuse was then reported to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.

Collin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Olivia Penson investigated the case. The victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where she disclosed details about the abuse.

The jury found Phennel guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. Judge John Roach Jr. assessed punishment at 45 years in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Mollie Thompson and Jamin Daly prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Kim Voigt-Eanes and Stephanie Strickland, Victim Assistance Coordinator Ruth Ruiz, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

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June 20, 2023

District Attorney Greg Willis announced that the Collin County Citizen Prosecutor Academy (CCCPA) Fall session will begin August 31^st.

Prosecutors are sworn to seek justice in every case, and the CCCPA offers a behind the scenes look at the process. Participants selected through the competitive application process will learn from, and engage with, the finest prosecutors, investigators, detectives, and judges in the field. The unique opportunity sheds light on the daily operations and builds a partnership with the community.

Our free, 12-week program will be held each Thursday from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Click here to
read more or complete the online application by July 31, 2023. Call Shelly Pingsterhaus at
972-548-4478 with questions. Additional requirements:

• Participants must pass a background check
• Attendance requirements must be met for successful completion
• Must be at least 18 years of age

CCCPA participants learn the role of the DA and the criminal justice system through open dialogue with the District Attorney and his leadership team. Upon completion they’ll be ready to share their insights about how the District Attorney’s office partners with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice and protect our community.

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June 19, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Armando Diaz, Jr., 19, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for Murder. “This man brutally shot his defenseless, teenaged girlfriend 10 times, at least four times while she was on the ground in a fetal position. And the jury rightly saw through his lack of remorse,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On February 6, 2022, Dallas Police Department officers were called out to an apartment complex after residents reported hearing gunshots. When officers arrived, they found the 17 year-old victim with a total of 10 gunshot wounds to her chest, face, and back. The shooter was not at the scene when police arrived but investigation revealed that the victim had been living in the apartment complex with her boyfriend, Diaz.

The apartment lease was in Diaz’s mother’s name and an interview with his mother revealed she was aware of the murder and even helped Diaz flee the scene without calling 911. Ultimately, Diaz would turn himself in to the police station four days later. Detective Chris Walton interviewed Diaz, and after initially lying to the detective, Diaz eventually confessed to committing the crime.

Diaz pled guilty to murder and went before the jury for punishment sentencing. At trial, Officer Arnet Brantley, the first officer on scene, stated the victim was still alive when he got there, but died as he was performing medical treatment on her extensive injuries. He also stated this case stuck with him because of the especially brutal nature of the murder. Collin County Medical Examiner Dr. Stephanie Burton testified that at least four of the gunshot wounds were consistent with her being shot while in the fetal position on the ground.

Diaz testified at trial and admitted to shooting her with a .45 caliber Glock with a switch installed after manufacture that turned it into a fully automatic pistol.  Diaz attempted to rationalize his behavior by explaining that he and the victim had an argument and he was intoxicated. A jury assessed punishment at life in prison. He will be eligible for parole consideration upon serving 30 years.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kailey Gillman and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland and Sarah Putman, and Victim Assistance Coordinators Shaunette Bronson and Ruth Ruiz.

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May 31, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Narciso Garcia, Jr., 33, of McKinney, Texas, was sentenced to 40 years for Assault of a Peace Officer by after a jury found him guilty. “This habitual felon has shown time and time again that neither officer nor citizen is safe around him. Our community and law enforcement partners are safer with him off our streets for the extended future,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On July 29, 2020, just a year into his parole from his second trip to prison, a possibly intoxicated man later identified as Narciso Garcia was causing a disturbance at the McKinney Express gas station located on McDonald Street. McKinney Police Department officers were dispatched to criminally trespass this individual.  Officers Justin Blair and Teresa Lynch arrived at the scene and located the suspect, who they eventually identified as Narciso Garcia.

Once identified, officers learned that Garcia had an active parole violation warrant.  While attempting to arrest Garcia on the warrant, Garcia began to resist officers.  Garcia continued to ignore verbal warnings, refused to put his arms behind his back, and at one point even lifted Officer Blair off the ground. Even after officers were forced to deploy a taser in an effort to gain compliance, Garcia then turned his head and bit down on Officer Blair’s wrist, drawing blood and causing swelling.

The jury found Garcia guilty.

During punishment, prosecutors presented voluminous evidence of Garcia’s criminal history, including of a prior incident with McKinney police where Garcia resisted and physically assaulted officers.  In total, prosecutors presented 21 prior adjudications and convictions, including assault family violence, resisting arrest, evading arrest burglary of a building, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, , and theft.

Among those prior convictions, Garcia had previously been to prison twice.  In 2010 he was sentenced to 7 years in prison for fraudulent use of identifying information and in 2017 he was sentenced to 9 years in prison for possession of a controlled substance.  Garcia had been release on parole for his possession charge in July of 2019 and was still on parole at the time of this offense.

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the case and assessed punishment at 40 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Baileigh Hale and Taylor Reese prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Mike Smith and Ryan Harvey, and Legal Secretary Lisa McCurdy.

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May 4, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Justin Broadnax, 28, of Denton, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 50 years in prison for Murder. “This murderer had a long history of violence and threats with firearms that had yet to catch up with him. Now he’s been held accountable for murdering an unsuspecting and innocent victim,” said Willis after sentencing.

On August 21, 2021, the victim was at his apartment hanging out with friends when Broadnax showed up unannounced. Broadnax barged into the apartment upset and looking for his girlfriend. When the individuals in the apartment told him to leave, he initially refused.

Eventually Broadnax’s girlfriend convinced him to leave and the two began walking out of the apartment. As they were leaving, Broadnax elbowed the victim in the face. A fight ensued between the victim, Broadnax, and other males in the apartment.

During the fist-fight, Broadnax pulled a gun from his waistband and shot the victim once in the chest before fleeing with his girlfriend. In the following days, Broadnax changed his appearance, disposed of the murder weapon, and fled to Houston.

Frisco Police Department Detective Randy Adams investigated the case. The investigation revealed that none of the victim’s friends and eye witnesses knew Broadnax’s name, or that he had a gun on him when he came into the apartment. Through witness interviews and leads from social media, the Frisco Police Department identified, located, and arrested Broadnax three days later with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals.

The jury found Broadnax guilty. During punishment, the jury heard evidence of Broadnax’s violent past, including threats involving a fireman on four separate instances and a history of domestic violence.

The jury also learned that at the time of the murder, Broadnax was on bond for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge out of Dallas that occurred seven months prior to the murder. During that incident, Broadnax was in possession of two firearms.

Additionally, prosecutors introduced evidence that Broadnax had been prohibited from carrying a firearm due to a protective order issued out of Denton County, Texas. The jury assessed punishment at 50 years in prison.

Judge George Flint presided over the case. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Marisa Dunagan and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Bennett, and Victim’s Assistance Coordinators Niccole Frazier and Shaunette Bronson.

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April 18, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that David Lee Hayes, 41, of McKinney, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration. “This habitual offender had already been sent to prison multiple times for failing to register as a sex offender. Our goal was to ensure that he could no longer hide amongst Collin County citizens,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On July 13, 2022, McKinney Police Department was notified that Hayes had been living off Bumpas Street in McKinney. The caller, who was the property manager at the time, reported that Hayes had been living with his girlfriend in her apartment for approximately one year without permission. The girlfriend had recently asked Hayes to leave as well and he refused.

Corporal Joel Purser investigated the case and learned that Hayes had been previously convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and was registered as a sex offender in Dallas at his brother’s address where he claimed to live. However, Hayes had not registered in McKinney where he was actually living. Officer James Lopez executed the arrest warrant and found Hayes near a park with several children in the immediate area.

In addition to the original charge that made him a convicted sex offender, Hayes also had three previous convictions for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration in 2009, 2010, and 2013 in which he served prison time.

Judge Faith Johnson presided over the case and assessed the punishment at 45 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kriti Sharma and Charles Brazell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigators Robin Laughon and Ryan Harvey.

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April 14, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Carlton Williams, 35, of Cedar Hill, Texas, who fled during his recent trial for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon was located this week in Frisco, Texas. After refusing to surrender to law enforcement Monday afternoon, he was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and he died hours later.

“Public safety must always be the first concern of the criminal justice system and this case illustrates exactly why violent habitual offenders must be held fully accountable for their actions, even if that includes pre-trial detention,” said Willis. “I want to thank both the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Frisco Police Department for their dogged pursuit of this dangerous fugitive. Their relentless efforts and professional approach kept our citizens safe from further harm at the hands of this violent felon,” said Willis.

Williams was free on a $35,000.00 surety bond for the Aggravated Assault charge and failed to appear on March 22^nd for the third day of his jury trial when the jury was scheduled to determine his fate. While on the run that same day, Williams is suspected of committing another Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon by shooting at a relative in Dallas County with a handgun.

When Williams failed to appear at his trial, Judge Faith Johnson issued a warrant for Williams’s arrest and the District Attorney’s Office immediately contacted Texas Rangers and Special Agents of the Texas Department of Public Safety who began searching for him. Williams was found in Frisco on Monday, April 10^th, by these officers, and they then requested the assistance of the Frisco Police Department’s Special Operations Unit (SOU). For further information please refer to the Media Advisory from the Frisco Police Department regarding Call for Service #23039653 dated April 14, 2023.

Despite his absence in the courtroom, the trial continued and the jury convicted Williams and sentenced him under the Texas Habitual Offender statute to 43 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The jury that convicted Williams heard testimony about an August 29^th, 2021, road rage incident in Plano where Williams exited his truck, banged on the victim’s window, and then retrieved a machete from his box truck. Williams threatened the victim’s life while slashing the victim’s front and rear passenger tires with the machete. Williams then fled the location when the light turned green. Several eyewitnesses observed Williams’s behavior at the busy intersection and testified at trial. The jury found Williams guilty, even with his voluntary absence from trial.

During sentencing, the jury heard evidence of three additional road rage incidents involving Williams, two in Dallas County in 2021, and one in another county in 2019.  In both Dallas County offenses, Williams also brandished a machete to threaten the other drivers. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Williams had two prior felony convictions for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in 2008 and Continuous Violation of a Protective Order in 2015, both out of Dallas County.  Williams also had multiple misdemeanor convictions as well.

The District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank the Frisco Fire Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Plano Police Department for their assistance in this matter.

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April 4, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) –District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Juan Alberto Salazar Meza, 33, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison without parole after the jury found him guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. “Our hearts go out to this victim for having to endure even one second of this perpetrator’s abuse. And our thanks goes to the family member who reported the abuse and helped end this child’s suffering,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Salazar Meza was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to the victim. He sexually abused the victim over a course of several months, starting when the victim was 10 years old. Eventually, a family member of the victim was worried that the victim was being abused, so they disclosed their concerns to school counselors in March of 2022. The abuse was then reported to CPS and to Plano Police Department.

Plano Police Department Detective Kristina McClain investigated the case. The victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where she disclosed details about the abuse.

The jury found Salazar Meza guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. The jury assessed punishment at 50 years in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Ann Mathew and Jamin Daly prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers and Kim Voigt-Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Ramnpreet Kaur.

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March 30, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Carlton Williams, 35, of Cedar Hill, Texas, was sentenced to 43 years in prison for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon after a jury found him guilty. “Williams is a prime example of the violent and aggressive repeat offender who innocent and unsuspecting drivers don’t see coming. And clearly nothing will deter him, not even being in his own felony jury trial. My office has provided all of the information and assistance possible to law enforcement to ensure that Williams is found as soon as possible,” said Willis after sentencing.

On August 29, 2021, the victim was driving home on the Dallas North Tollway when he was nearly side swiped by Williams, who was driving a large white box truck. Williams became angry when the victim tried to get his attention.  Williams then chased the victim for seven minutes.

The chase escalated when the victim stopped at a red light at Legacy and Parkwood in Plano, Texas. Williams exited his truck, banged on the victim’s window, and then retrieved a machete from his box truck. Williams threatened the victim’s life while slashing the victim’s front and rear passenger tires with the machete. Williams then fled the location when the light turned green. Several eyewitnesses observed Williams’ behavior at the busy intersection and testified to the same at trial.

 Plano Police Department conducted witness interviews, obtained surveillance footage, and matched fingerprints that the suspect left on the victim’s car to Williams. Detective Justin Duffy was the lead investigator.

During trial, Williams was involved in a road rage shooting in Duncanville on his way to the courthouse and fled that scene while armed and dangerous. The Texas Rangers continue to search for Williams, along with the Duncanville and Cedar Hill police departments.

The jury found Williams guilty, even with his voluntary absence from trial. During sentencing, the jury heard evidence of three additional road rage incidents involving Williams, two in Dallas County in 2021, and one in another county in 2019.  In both Dallas County offenses, Williams also brandished a machete to threaten the other drivers. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Williams had two prior felony convictions for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in 2008 and Continuous Violation of a Protective Order in 2015, both out of Dallas County.  Williams also had multiple misdemeanor convictions as well.

The jury assessed punishment at 43 years in prison. Judge Faith Johnson presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Claire Mosley and Marisa Dunagan prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Bennett, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Niccole Frazier.

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March 29, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Lawrence Edward Bell, 48, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 99 years for Murder after a jury found him guilty. “My office is grateful for DART’s thorough and tireless search for this murderer, so that we could then bring him to justice. The victim did not know his killer and did nothing to provoke him. Bell deserves a lifetime and more behind bars,” said Willis after sentencing.

On March 18, 2022, at 6:12 A.M., police were dispatched to a shooting on a DART rail train at the City Line/Bush Station. Train surveillance footage showed an individual pull a firearm from his coverall pocket and shoot the victim prior to exiting the train. He was wearing brown coveralls, tan boots, a blue hoodie, COVID mask, a green beanie, and a black backpack. The victim was transported to Medical City Plano and later died from his injuries.

DART Police Department Detective Eric Carlson investigated the case. He went to the scene and located a single spent .45 caliber cartridge casing. DART PD began watching additional surveillance footage from early that same morning and prior evening. Officers located footage of the suspect with his face coverings removed. Based on the suspect’s movements across multiple trains and platforms throughout the night leading up to the murder, Carlson believed the suspect might be homeless. An employee at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center in Dallas identified the suspect as Lawrence Bell.

DART PD continued to search for Bell in the days after the murder and ultimately located Bell at a DART station on April 1^st, 12 days after the murder. Bell was wearing the exact same clothing used in the murder. Officer Cory Neal detained Bell and found a .45 caliber handgun in the chest pocket of his coveralls. Ballistics comparison conducted by firearms examiner Richard Rotella, with the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science, determined that the single cartridge casing found at the crime scene was fired from Bell’s firearm.

The jury found Bell guilty of murder. During punishment, prosecutors presented evidence that Bell previously served 11 years in prison for an Aggravated Robbery committed in 2000 and the jury heard testimony from that victim.  Additionally, the jury heard that Bell had been previously convicted for felony Manufacture or Delivery of Cocaine, and misdemeanor Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Theft, and Forgery, all out of Dallas and Denton counties. The jury sentenced Bell to 99 years in prison.

Judge George Flint presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Taylor Reese and Nick Lawrance prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs, Victim Assistance Coordinator Niccole Frazier and Legal Secretary Jaimie Valliere.

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March 14, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Jose Aguilar, 46, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery after a jury found him guilty. “Brutal acts of violence, especially those with permanent consequences for the victim, deserve permanent consequences for the perpetrator as well. We are thankful that the victim survived his life-altering injuries and was brave enough to later come testify in court. While the lives of the victim and his family will never be the same, Collin County is a safer place with Aguilar behind bars,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On the evening of August 27, 2021, Plano police were dispatched to a stabbing at a storage unit complex. Surveillance video showed that Aguilar approached the victim with a knife and demanded the victim give him his work trailer. Aguilar then stabbed the victim several times in the neck and head. As the victim lay bleeding in the parking lot, Aguilar searched the victim’s open storage unit and vehicle.

After finding money in the victim’s vehicle, video evidence showed that Aguilar ran over the victim with his vehicle, then came back and ran over him again, and then finally fled the scene. The victim was found shortly after by another storage unit tenant who called 911. Miraculously, the victim was able to recount the events to police. He was rushed to Medical City Plano where surgeons removed the tip of Aguilar’s knife from the back of his neck. As for Aguilar, he was apprehended after crashing into multiple cars at a nearby intersection.

The victim, who because of the attack is now completely paralyzed in both legs and almost completely paralyzed in both arms, was brought to the courthouse and testified at trial.

The case was investigated by Plano Police Detective Mary Jung. Plano Detectives Billy Henricks and Catherine Foreman and Officer Richard Longarello testified at trial.

The jury found Aguilar guilty of Aggravated Robbery and assessed punishment at 50 years in prison. Judge Tom Nowak presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Charles Brazell and Alex Haynes prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Ryan Harvey and Mike Smith, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Ruth Ruiz.

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March 1, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Raymond Earl Caraway, Jr., 27, of Dallas, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for manslaughter, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “Our deepest sympathies are with the Brazil family, as his wife and daughters continue to grieve the loss of their loved one. Mr. Brazil was a pillar of faith and kindness in our community, and he and his family did not deserve to suffer from the careless and irresponsible actions of a drunk driver over four times the legal limit. We are grateful that this jury held him responsible to the maximum extent of the law,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On May 27, 2021, at approximately 6:20pm, Caraway was speeding 20 miles per hour over the speed limit when he ran a red light at Dallas Parkway and Tennyson Parkway in the city limits of Plano. Caraway crashed his vehicle into the driver side door of Charles Brazil’s vehicle. Brazil, age 57, died on impact. Caraway attempted to run away from the scene of the crash but was pointed out by civilian witnesses to law enforcement. Officers and medical staff noted that Caraway smelled of alcohol.

Officer Xavier Badillo with the Plano Police Department investigated the case. Officer Badillo had Caraway’s blood tested, which revealed a .377 blood alcohol concentration.

A jury found Caraway guilty of manslaughter, a second degree felony.

During the punishment phase of trial, the State introduced evidence that Caraway had a prior misdemeanor DWI conviction from 2018 out of Tarrant County where his blood alcohol concentration was a .25. The jury also heard that while in jail awaiting trial, Caraway showed no remorse for his actions when he stated on a recorded jail call that he “couldn’t wait to get out” of jail so he could go out and “take shots” at bars. The jury assessed punishment at 20 years in prison, the maximum sentence under the law.

Charles Brazil was a community leader in Collin County, a husband, and a father to three daughters. Brazil also served as an elder for Life-Changing Faith Christian Fellowship in Frisco, Texas.

Judge Tom Nowak presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Alex Haynes and Ashleigh Woodall prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Mike Smith and Laurie Gibbs, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White.

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February 14, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Aston Carrier, 28, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 60 years for murder after a jury found him guilty. “Aston Carrier showed time and time again by his criminal history, numerous pending charges in Harris County, and repeated violations of bond, that he cannot be a lawful member of society.  He then brought his crime spree to Collin County, where we prosecuted him to the fullest extent of the law and asked the jury to remove him from society for as long as possible,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On June 2, 2020, witnesses found the deceased, Derek Carr, on the sidewalk outside of the Sutton Place Apartment Complex in the Collin County portion of the City of Dallas, after hearing multiple rounds of gunfire.  Officers from the Dallas Police Department, as well as EMS, were unable to revive the victim.

After a two-month long investigation, Dallas Police Department Detective Patty Belew determined that Aston Carrier and his accomplice traveled from the Houston area to the victim’s apartment in the early morning hours of June 2, 2020. Surveillance video from the victim’s apartment showed Aston Carrier and his accomplice attempting to get the victim to come out of his apartment before they intentionally disabled the cameras.

Witnesses reported that the victim was shot in the back while running through the parking lot.  Detective Belew ultimately identified Aston Carrier and his accomplice from the surveillance video and multiple witness interviews. DNA evidence later confirmed that Aston Carrier and his accomplice were involved in the shootout at the apartment complex.

The jury found Carrier guilty of murder. During punishment, the State presented evidence to the jury that Carrier was on probation out of Harris County for the felony offense of Evading with a Motor Vehicle at the time of the murder.  Additionally, the jury heard that Carrier had been previously arrested for Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Aggravated Robbery, Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument, Evading with Prior Conviction, and Failure to Identify, all out of Harris County.  Prosecutors also presented evidence that Carrier was arrested in Harris County twice while in possession of firearms while on bond for this murder charge. Finally, the jury heard that while in custody in the Collin County jail, he brutally assaulted another inmate. The jury sentenced Carrier to 60 years in prison.  The accomplice is currently awaiting jury trial.

 Judge Benjamin Smith presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Briggs and Christina Skipper prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Mike Smith, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Lisa McCurdy.

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January 24, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Gregory Reed, 57, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for the first degree offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member. “This brave woman survived a deadly attack by fighting for her life against an axe-wielding abuser, who scarred her permanently. She then had the courage to face him in court. In return, this violent habitual offender deserved nothing less than the maximum sentence,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On June 9, 2021, officers with the Plano Police Department were dispatched to a home on Buckle Lane in reference to an aggravated assault.  Upon arrival at the home, family members told officers that they believed Reed had used an axe to attack his girlfriend and then left the location, taking the victim with him.  Officers observed obvious signs of an offense, including lots of blood, and recovered an axe.  Reed and the victim were located at a nearby hospital wherein the victim had significant injuries to her hand and arm.

Once separated from her perpetrator, the victim told police that while she was sleeping, Reed woke her up wielding an axe and swung it at her.  The victim used her hands and arms to defend herself and he eventually stopped the attack due to the victim begging for her life.  The attack resulted in significant injuries that have required multiple surgeries and resulted in permanent disfigurement.

The case was investigated by Plano Detective Chris McEntire.  Plano officers Jennifer Akin and Mike Green testified at trial.

Judge Benjamin Smith presided over the case, found Reed guilty, and assessed the life sentence. Reed had been previously sentenced to prison for five years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and 19 years for assault family violence with previous conviction.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Justin Dotzel and Cresta Garland prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigators Robin Laughon and Mike Bennett and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White.

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