February 21, 2024

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Patrick William Travis, 26, of Lake Stevens, Washington, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the offenses of Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Contact. “This child molester preyed upon not just one, not just two, but multiple victims. And for that he deserves not only the maximum sentence on each charge, but will now have to serve each sentence consecutively for a total of 40 years in prison,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Travis was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to the child victim related to the primary charge. He sexually abused that child multiple times over the course of a year, starting when the victim was 13 years old. The victim disclosed the abuse to a teacher who contacted law enforcement. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned that Travis had also sexually abused another teenage victim.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented the above evidence. They also presented evidence that during the course of the investigation, Travis admitted to previously molesting numerous females between the ages of 13 to 16.

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

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the case. Judge Edgeworth assessed the maximum punishment of 20 years in prison on the second degree charge of Sexual Assault of a Child, and assessed the maximum punishment of 10 years in prison on two separate third degree charges of Indecency with a Child by Contact. The Judge then ordered all three sentences to run consecutively, so that one sentence must end before the next sentence begins, for a total of 40 years in prison.

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

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January 5, 2024

District Attorney Greg Willis announced that the Collin County Citizen Prosecutor Academy (CCCPA) Spring session will begin February 1^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 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Click here to
read more or complete the online application by January 11, 2024. 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’s leadership, while connecting with their community. 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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December 12, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Stacey Jurik, 40, of Wylie, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child after a jury found her guilty, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “What Jurik put this child through is unthinkably disgusting. Then to also profit from the pornographic pictures of the child makes us all want to throw up,” said Willis after sentencing.

In 2021, Jurik was contacted by a photographer named Grant Durtschi. Durtschi traveled between numerous states photographing children, and many of the photos were of a sexually explicit nature. Jurik was aware that Durtschi produced child pornography and arranged for Durtschi to photograph a child in her care.

Jurik brought the child to numerous photo shoots with Durtschi from 2021 through early 2022. Jurik would discuss the ideas and themes for the photo shoots with Durtschi beforehand. These included the child posing both partially and fully nude and taking part in simulated sexual acts. At the photo shoots themselves, Jurik would prepare the child for and position the child in these sexually explicit poses. Jurik would remain for the entirety of the photo shoots and assist Durtschi in getting the child to cooperate with the photos. Jurik received payment from Durtschi for each of these photo shoots as well as a large percentage of the proceeds that he made from selling the photos online.

In August 2021, another child whom Durtschi had been photographing in a sexually explicit manner reported Durtschi to the FBI in Louisiana. The FBI began a months-long investigation into Durtschi for producing child pornography, with FBI Special Agent David Borgetti, Special Agent Chris Bedford, and Special Agent Karen Ryndak uncovering numerous other child victims that Durtschi had been photographing across multiple states.

Pursuant to a federal search warrant, the FBI seized over 50 electronic devices belonging to Durtschi, some of which contained the sexually explicit photos and videos of the child Jurik brought to him. These devices also contained multiple videos showing Jurik’s active participation in producing child pornography at these photo sessions in the DFW area.

After the FBI transferred the investigation of Jurik to the State of Texas, Dallas Police Department Detective Michael Fontenot led the investigation into Jurik. Throughout his investigation, Fontenot discovered the exact dates and locations of the session where Jurik would bring the child to be photographed, which included locations in Wylie, Providence Village, and Dallas.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for the first-degree felony offense of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Jurik had provided photos of another child to Durtschi for him to sell online. The jury assessed punishment at 32 years in prison with no eligibility for parole.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kimberly Kircher and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Linda Herrera. Judge Tom Nowak presided over the case.

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December 5, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) –Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Allieu Bayoh, 27, of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 35 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery after pleading guilty. “This guy committed armed robbery not once, not twice, but three times. Even switching cell phone providers didn’t help him escape the long arm of the law. I’m thankful for the excellent investigation by Frisco Police, as well as the jury for ensuring he can no longer terrorize hard-working, law-abiding citizens at gunpoint,” said Willis after sentencing.

On November 26, 2021, at approximately 9:00 pm, Frisco Police Department officers responded to a Verizon cell phone store in Frisco after employees of the store called 911 and reported being robbed at gunpoint by another employee of the store who had worked that day. The victims further reported that the suspect took dozens of cell phones and tablets, and ultimately one of the victims’ cars to flee the scene.

The next day, Arlington Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of the stolen car, which was occupied by Bayoh. Officers found items taken in the robbery in the car and on Bayoh’s person, including one of the victims’ wallets and a tablet. Bayoh attempted to resist officers, but he was ultimately placed under arrest for the November 2021 robbery. Bayoh remained in custody until bonding out on March 7, 2022.

On May 16, 2022, just two months after bonding out on the November 2021 aggravated robbery, Frisco officers responded to the same Verizon cell phone store after an employee called 911 and reported a similar robbery at gunpoint. After the victim picked Bayoh out of a photo lineup, an arrest warrant was issued for him.

On May 26, 2022, just 10 days after his second aggravated robbery, Frisco officers responded to an AT&T store in Frisco after an employee called 911 and reported now a third similar robbery at gunpoint.

Frisco officers, including lead detective Kristopher Mendoza, went to an address associated with Bayoh, where they found and arrested him for both May 2022 offenses. In a search of his person and the vehicle associated with the May 26th robbery, officers found electronics taken in the robbery and a loaded Glock handgun.

After Bayoh pled guilty, he elected to have the jury assess his punishment. After hearing evidence of the robberies, the jury sentenced Bayoh to 35 years in prison.

Judge Paul Banner presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Luke Calhoun and Abbie Adkins prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Michael Coleman.

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November 28, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Dominic Miguel Rivera, 40, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for first degree felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine after a jury found him guilty. “This seven-time felon’s parole in Dallas County ended only eight months before he made the career-ending decision of dealing again in Collin County, where he had enough methamphetamine for 100 people to each take separate doses. Collin County will not tolerate career drug dealers,” said Willis after sentencing.

On November 15, 2022, Richardson Police Department officers Nicholas Ward and Maurice Johnson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that Rivera was a passenger in. Officers immediately noticed that Rivera had a backpack tucked tightly between his legs and was holding his chest with one hand. During a search of Rivera’s person, Officer Johnson found a loaded handgun inside Rivera’s jacket in the same spot he had been holding when officers approached.

Rivera originally provided a false name to officers, but once his identity was confirmed through his driver’s license, a check of Rivera’s criminal history showed multiple prior felony convictions. Rivera was subsequently arrested for the offense of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Officer Benjamin Masters conducted a search of the backpack that had been at Rivera’s feet and found an additional loaded magazine for the handgun found in Rivera’s jacket, a Velcro pouch containing an electronic scale and multiple empty baggies, a pill bottle containing marijuana that had been broken down for distribution, and a glass container with a crystalline substance inside that was later confirmed to be 22.61 grams of methamphetamine. McKinney Police Department Narcotics Detective Joe Arp testified, as an expert on the drug trade, that the amount of methamphetamine Rivera had was not for personal use. A typical personal use amount of methamphetamine is 0.2 grams, so Rivera had over 100 doses with him at the time.

The jury found Rivera guilty. In the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence that Rivera had a lengthy criminal history, including a long history of selling drugs. On February 23, 2012, Rivera was convicted of four Collin County drug charges, all of which occurred on different dates. On two of those drug charges, Rivera received the maximum of 2 years in state jail for two offenses of possession of cocaine and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Rivera received 8 years in prison for the other two charges, a third degree felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine and a second degree felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

On October 15, 2019, Rivera was sentenced to probation out of Dallas County for second degree felony possession of methamphetamine. But on November 10, 2019, Rivera violated his probation when he was again arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Rivera’s probation was revoked on February 21, 2020, and he was sentenced to three years in prison.

After hearing Rivera’s criminal history of seven felony convictions and considering the facts of the new offense, Judge Benjamin Smith sentenced Rivera to 40 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Jamin Daly and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Sarah Putman, Jennifer Gomez, and Michael Bennett, and Legal Secretary Jaimie Valliere.

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November 14, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Dakota Carroll, 30, a documented Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang member of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty days before trial and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first degree felony. “Dakota Carroll is a known violent gangster with extensive criminal history who’s willing to try to bribe police officers. This 30 year sentence holds him accountable and keeps him away from Collin County citizens,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On July 26, 2020, Richardson Police Department officers were patrolling the area near the Econolodge off of North Central Expressway when a vehicle made several traffic violations, catching the attention of Sergeant Benjamin Masters. Masters initiated a traffic stop and would ultimately identify the driver as Dakota Carroll. Based on his initial interaction with Carroll, Masters requested a K-9 officer to the scene.

K-9 Officer Cory Wendling along with K-9 Falco conducted an open air sniff of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert. A probable cause search of the vehicle yielded 58 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, unused baggies for distribution, a small amount of cash, and less than 1 gram of heroin. While officers were finishing their search of the vehicle, Carroll indicated that he could order up a pound (over 450 grams) of methamphetamine and a bunch of guns in exchange for letting him go off the charges. Carroll’s ploy was unsuccessful and he was ultimately arrested and taken to jail for the first degree felony. Carroll remained in jail for 81 days before posting bond of $25,000.

Investigation into Carroll’s background revealed he had been to prison in 2015 for a Dallas County charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. After bonding out on the Collin County charge, Carroll committed numerous other crimes back in Dallas County including Robbery (within three weeks of getting out of jail), Deadly Conduct (non-fatal shooting of a female), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Abandoning and Endangering Child, and Evading with a Motor Vehicle.

Sergeant Masters was the lead investigator on the case, with the assistance of K-9 Officer Wendling, and Officer Billy Minnix.

Judge Ben Smith presided over the case and assessed the sentence of 30 years.

Assistant Criminal District Attorney Christina Skipper prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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November 14, 2023

(McKinney, TX)

Statement of District Attorney Greg Willis:

“Today’s sentence of Life without Parole for Jeremy Harris ensures that this violent criminal can never again threaten public safety and innocent victims. I hope that the finality of today’s sentence can serve as the first step in the healing process for all the victims left in his wake.

I would like to thank all the many law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation and arrest of this defendant, especially the Celina Police Department, who served as the primary investigative agency on our case.”

October 24, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Juan Barrera, 59, of Wylie, Texas, was sentenced to 82 years in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child after a jury found him guilty. “This predator not only abused one child, but two. He’ll now have the rest of his life in prison to ponder the pathetic and selfish excuses he made for himself,” said Willis after sentencing.

Barrera was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to two children. He sexually abused both children over the course of a couple of years, beginning when the victims were approximately 7 and 8 years old.

After a particular incident of abuse, one victim immediately disclosed what happened to an adult family member. The adult family member then reported the incident to the police.  Once law enforcement began investigating the abuse of this child, this child’s older sibling outcried to getting abused as well.

The defendant was interviewed and admitted to abusing the children. He claimed he was suffering from erectile dysfunction and was trying to “feel something.” His DNA was also located on swabs taken from one of the children during a medical examination.

Wylie Police Department Detective Sam Shipley investigated the case. The victims were forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where they disclosed details about the abuse.

The jury found Barrera guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and assessed punishment at 82 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 Baileigh Hale prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Legal Secretary Raman Kaur. Judge Richard Davis presided over the case.

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October 17, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) –Matthew Cory Taylor, 28, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 30 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery after being found guilty, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “This career criminal committed 15 crimes in just 6 years, served time in both federal and state prison, all before breaking into a stranger’s home and holding the victim at gunpoint. The jury’s sentence will keep Collin County citizens safe from him for the extended future,” said Willis after sentencing.

On December 31, 2022, at approximately 4:00 am, Plano Police Department officers responded to an apartment in Plano after the victim called 911 regarding a home-invasion robbery. The victim stated that he was awoken by two individuals coming through his window, pointing a gun at him, demanding he get in his closet, and asking the location of his safe. The victim reported he knew one of the individuals as a female family friend, and the other was an unknown masked man.

Plano Detective Mary Jung conducted an investigation to determine associates of the female involved in the robbery. Social media searches revealed that the known female suspect was in a relationship with Taylor. Less than 24 hours after the robbery, Plano Officers arrested both suspects, and the stolen items were in their possession. A cell phone extraction of Taylor’s phone revealed messages between the two suspects planning the robbery, as well as messages in which Taylor was attempting to sell some of the stolen items.

The jury found Taylor guilty of Aggravated Robbery.

In the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence to the jury of Taylor’s extensive criminal history. From 2012 to 2016, Taylor was arrested and convicted for a litany offenses ranging from Robbery, Assault Bodily Injury-Family Violence, & Burglary of a Building to misdemeanor Failure to Identify Fugitive & Criminal Trespass. In 2017, Taylor was indicted in federal court for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, for attempting to sell methamphetamine with a firearm in Collin County. Taylor was also arrested in 2017 on a separate date for state charges of third degree possession of methamphetamine. In spring 2018, Taylor was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, with supervised released for 5 more years after that, and 2 years in the state penitentiary, respectively. Taylor was on federal supervised release when he committed this crime. In total, Taylor has been convicted for 15 offenses over the span of 6 years.

After hearing of this criminal history and considering the facts of this home invasion Aggravated Robbery, the jury sentenced Taylor to 30 years in prison. For this crime, Texas law doesn’t allow eligibility for state parole consideration until he has served one-half of the sentence (15 years).

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Anthony D’Amore and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Sarah Putman and Jennifer Gomez. Judge Andrea Thompson presided over the case.

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October 13, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Alicia Calderon, 37, of Wylie, was sentenced to 75 years in prison for the sadistic torture of a young woman, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “Calderon tricked the victim into living with her, and then controlled her with unthinkable torture. She severely burned the victim’s arms, chest, and back by pouring a pot of boiling water on her. She also deprived her of food, locked her in a dog crate, and cut off her communication to the outside world. We hope and pray this jury’s sentence will allow the victim to further heal from all the deep physical and emotional wounds inflicted by this defendant,” stated Willis after sentencing.

In 2019, the 24 year old victim moved in with Calderon and her family in their Wylie trailer. The agreement was that the victim would keep the house clean, care for Calderon’s children, and take care of a disabled elderly woman in exchange for a free place to live. This living arrangement worked well at first, but after several months, the situation deteriorated. Calderon began to mistreat the victim, first by taking away her phone, then later by restricting her food and her movements in and out of the trailer. Calderon began locking the victim in the room with the elderly woman whose condition had severely declined. The victim lost over half of her body weight until she no longer had the strength to take care of the elderly woman.

In July 2021, Calderon caught the victim sneaking food from the house. As punishment, she locked the victim in a dog crate and poured boiling water on her, injuring her legs. Later that year, during an argument, Calderon poured a pot of boiling water on the victim, giving her severe burns on her arms, chest and back. Calderon did not let the victim get medical treatment.

On February 1, 2022, another member of the household let the victim borrow his phone. The victim sent her stepfather a Facebook message stating she needed help and that she was locked in a room. That was the first time in two years she had spoken to either of her parents. The victim’s stepfather called 911 and went to the trailer. Responding deputies with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office had to remove stacked stones away from the door in order for the victim to escape. The victim was down to sixty-eight pounds, her head had been shaved, and her body was covered in second and third degree burns. When deputies found the elderly woman in the trailer, her condition had declined so much they initially believed she was deceased.

Collin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Richard Cass led the investigation. At trial, the victim’s burn doctor testified to the extent of her injuries. The victim underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts to recover from her severe burns. The victim spent six weeks in the hospital recovering from her injuries and malnourishment. At trial, she described the trauma she still has today, and the nerve damage that never healed.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for the first-degree felony offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Household Member. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Calderon spent $78,000 of the elderly woman’s recently received inheritance within three months, and had been cashing her social security checks for several years. Investigator Joshua Duncan testified that the money went towards tattoo shops, a party rental place and new tire rims. Prosecutors also informed the jury that Calderon was previously arrested for robbery out of Dallas County but convicted of the lesser included offense of misdemeanor theft in 2015.

Judge George Flint presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Taylor Reese and Kailey Gillman prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Bennett, Victim Assistance Coordinators Shaunette Bronson and Niccole Frazier, and Assistant District Attorney Michael Mooneyham.

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September 20, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Artemio Yanez, 56, of Plano, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to Murder. “Brutally stabbing an innocent victim 63 times shocks the conscience. Permanently getting this dangerously violent man off the streets allows others to live their lives in peaceful safety,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On June 8, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., Plano Police Officer Jonathan Theis responded to a parking lot in east Plano in reference to a stabbing call. On the way to the scene, dispatch notes updated that the suspect had fled in a white van and a witness to the offense was following him in his vehicle.

Officers on scene of the stabbing found Emilio Romero unconscious and bleeding out in the driver seat of his van. Other officers stopped the suspect’s van and detained Yanez, who was not wearing a shirt and appeared to have blood on his arms and cheek. A search of his van recovered a bloody 6-inch knife.

A second eyewitness came forward at the crime scene with a video of the offense he recorded while he was also in the parking lot. In the video, Yanez is observed standing outside the victim’s van at the driver side, repeatedly stabbing Romero as he sat in the driver seat.

The autopsy revealed 63 stab wounds on his body. Plano detectives were unable to determine a motive behind the murder or any confrontation that appeared to take place beforehand, only noting that both Yanez and Romero appeared to be living out of their vans for an extended period.

During the punishment phase, prosecutors also presented evidence of Yanez’s violence against other inmates and detention officers while he has been detained in the Collin County jail, as well as his prior convictions, including assault bodily injury and driving while intoxicated.

After hearing all of this evidence, Judge Angela Tucker sentenced Yanez to life in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott, Calli Bailey, and Justin Dotzel prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.

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September 19, 2023

Statement of Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis:

“I won’t be mourning the murder of convicted serial killer Billy Chemirmir. Rather, my thoughts today are with the families of the precious ladies he murdered. These families have been through more than we can imagine, and I pray that someday they can find peace.”

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September 12, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Prince Haymer, 21, of Dallas, was sentenced to 75 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Murder. “This man was the mastermind behind an aggravated robbery that included a grandmother and her 18-month old granddaughter being held at gunpoint and that ended in murder. This sentence is just the first step in holding everyone accountable,” said Willis after sentencing.

On April 11, 2022, McKinney PD Officer Kyle Wilkerson responded to a home in McKinney in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, Officer Wilkerson discovered Rayshawn Williams laying behind the garage of one of the houses in the neighborhood. Williams had multiple gunshot wounds to his legs. Additionally, officers noticed multiple casings from two different types of guns. An AR-15 rifle and an iPhone were also laying in the grass near Williams.

Officers then located Williams’ mother-in-law inside the home. She told police that Williams had received a phone call and went out into the garage. She heard yelling before a masked male entered the kitchen where she was holding her 18-month old granddaughter. The suspect, while holding a gun, asked her where the money was, then demanded her phone. The suspect then fled back outside. She heard gunshots moments later and went to hide in the bathtub with her granddaughter.

Detective Steven Robinson arrived on scene and discovered a Ring surveillance camera that captured the shooting. The video showed a gray hatchback Lexus pull into the alleyway and four masked, armed individuals get out and hold Williams at gunpoint. Two suspects run inside the house, then return, asking where the money is. One of the suspects struck Williams in the back of the head with a rifle. Williams grabbed the rifle and a struggle ensued. As the struggle continued off camera, shots were fired and Williams was able to get one of the suspect’s rifle and return fire. As three of the suspects fled on foot, the driver, later identified as Haymer, fired three shots at Williams, then fled in his car.

Detective Robinson identified the last phone number that called Williams before the shooting and tracked that phone back to Dallas. The following day, Prince Haymer was apprehended in the gray Lexus hatchback and in possession of the phone that called Williams. Text messages and phone calls on Haymer’s phone led detectives to the four remaining suspects. Williams passed away in the hospital 15 days after being shot.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty on murder.

At punishment, prosecutors offered a cell phone video that was recorded the night of the murder where Haymer is making a rap video and displaying one of the firearms used in the murder. Judge John Roach, Jr., who presided over the case, sentenced Haymer to 75 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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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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