November 19, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Brandel Washington, 27, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to First Degree Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

“This guy hurts women and children, and forcefully takes what isn’t his. Violent gang members and repeat offenders have no place in our Collin County community. May this sentence bring some peace to this courageous survivor,” Willis said after sentencing.

On February 3, 2020, Washington and his girlfriend were back seat passengers in a car being driven north bound on Preston Road in Plano. During an argument in the car, Washington shot his girlfriend in the head.  The front two occupants jumped out of the moving car.  Washington then climbed into the driver’s seat and sped off, ultimately crashing the car at the intersection of Spring Creek and Windhaven Parkway. The victim survived, but sustained serious injuries, including disfigurement and permanent hearing loss in her left ear. Plano police officers responded to the 911 calls regarding a gunshot and the car crash.  Plano Detective Jonathan Hay investigated the case.

Washington pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented evidence of Washington’s gang membership and criminal record, including a prison sentence for felony Injury to a Child in 2013—where Washington inflicted severe burns to an infant. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Washington committed two aggravated robberies in Grand Prairie and Haltom City in January of this year.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Luke Calhoun and Cresta Garland prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Robin Laughon and Victim Assistance Coordinator Stacey Taylor. Judge Andrea Thompson presided over the case and assessed the sentence.

#####

October 29, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Joel Thomas Dies, 36, of The Colony, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. “This predator can no longer hide behind his manipulation because the child had the courage to expose ‘their secret’ and report his terrible abuse,” Willis added after sentencing.

The evidence showed a number of things. Dies had ongoing access to the child.  He sexually abused the victim over the course of four years starting when the child was just five years old  Dies told the child to keep the abuse “their secret.” But the child gathered the courage to tell her mother.  Upon learning this, the mother took the child to see a therapist who then reported the abuse to Child Protective Services and Plano Police.

Plano Detective Chris Jones investigated the case. The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where the child disclosed details about the ongoing abuse. During the criminal investigation, law enforcement learned that Dies sexually abused another child several years prior.

The jury found Dies guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and the jury assessed punishment at 60 years in prison.  By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole. Judge Rayburn Nall presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kimberly Kircher and Carrie Thomas prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Gregory Bowers, Kim Voigt-Eanes, and Mike Bennett, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

#####

October 26, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Jose Fraire Delarosa, 34, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced to 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.

“I applaud the bravery of both children who testified in this case – the sibling who saw and reported a despicable act and the victim who courageously told of the horrific, ongoing sexual abuse,” Willis said after sentencing.

Delarosa had ongoing access to the victim. He sexually abused the child over the course of two years starting when the child was just six years old. Delarosa also threatened to hurt the child’s mother if the child told anyone about the abuse.  Ultimately, another sibling in the home witnessed Delarosa sexually assaulting the victim. That sibling told their mother, who reported it to Allen Police.

Allen Police investigated the case. The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where the child disclosed specific details of the ongoing abuse.

The jury found Delarosa guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.  Judge James R. Fry assessed punishment at 60 years in prison.  By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Justin Dotzel and Nick Lawrance prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Kim Voigt-Eanes and Sarah Putman, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

#####

October 21, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Ronnie Welborn, 48, of Princeton, received a life sentence after pleading guilty for his role in the murder of Kelli Underwood.

“We’re grateful for Texas Ranger Bruce Sherman’s outstanding investigative work. It was indispensable in securing justice for Ms. Underwood and her family,” added Willis after sentencing.

On September 20, 2017, the victim’s adult daughter found her deceased inside her home due to multiple gunshot and stab wounds. Two individuals, Robert Veal and Delvin Powell, were identified by name and description as having been seen with Underwood at her home on the last day she was known to be alive.  After multiple witness interviews and reviews of cell phone evidence, law enforcement learned that Veal and Powell were hired by Ronnie Welborn and another individual to carry out the murder. All four were ultimately charged in the murder for hire plot.

Judge Angela Tucker assessed the agreed punishment of life in prison. In August 2019, a jury found accomplice Delvin Powell guilty of Capital Murder, and in January 2020, a jury found accomplice Robert Veal guilty of Capital Murder, and both were also sentenced to life in prison.

The case was investigated by Texas Ranger Bruce Sherman, with the assistance of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Princeton Police Department. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Calli Bailey and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Stacey Taylor.

####

October 15, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Michael Villasana, 37, of McKinney, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Aggravated Assault Public Servant.

“Villasana had the chance to change his life by following his conditions of parole, but instead threatened the lives of officers and civilians; I commend these officers for displaying remarkable calm and professionalism throughout an intense and dangerous situation,” Willis said after sentencing.

On October 14, 2019, McKinney Police Officers Asher Richardson, Candice King, and Terry French responded to a domestic violence call in east McKinney. Once there, police learned Villasana was inside the house. A witness heard Villasana hitting his girlfriend, so the officers tried to get Villasana out of the house. After 15 minutes of refusing, Villasana finally came out into the front yard, yelling and cursing at officers.

Villasana then went back inside the house and returned with a knife. Villasana ignored officer commands and started walking through the yard and out into the street where Officer King was standing behind a parked car. As Villasana came around the end of the car, Officer King, with her gun pointed at Villasana, continued to give commands to drop the knife. Villasana made slashing motions with the knife as he shouted at Officer King, “I’m going to kill you!”

Villasana returned to the yard but then threw the knife towards and over the heads of the officers and civilians in the street. As Villasana turned towards Officer French, Officer Daniel Rogers, who just arrived on scene with a less lethal shotgun, shot Villasana with three bean bag rounds. Officers then took Villasana into custody. During transport to the jail, Villasana again threatened one of the officers, yelling “When I come home, I’m going to kill you and your family!”

Judge Andrea Thompson presided over the jury trial and then, after hearing evidence of a prolonged and serious criminal history, assessed punishment at 40 years in prison. Punishment evidence included Villasana’s three previous prison stints, which enhanced his punishment range to a minimum of 25 years, and 10+ prior convictions. Not only was he on parole for a federal gun charge at the time of this offense, his criminal history included multiple burglary of a habitation convictions.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott and Peter Ganyard prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Michael Coleman.

###

Reggie Nious of the Pivot Talent Group teaches a life skills class to program participants.

April 22, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced an enhanced second chance pretrial diversion program called “Burden to Blessing.” Designed for young, non-violent offenders who choose to take responsibility for their actions and want a better future, this 6 to 12-month innovative, affordable probation program includes life and job skills training aimed at putting participants on a more successful path than the one that led to their arrest.

The enhanced program funnels all diversion applicants into a substantial life skills experience called “Super Saturday,” where they learn how to identify triggers and navigate life more intentionally. After that, participants may opt-in to the “5-Night Rewrite,” which is filled with intensive career building skills to help kick-start their career.  (For a short video on how this program changed a graduate’s life, visit: www.CollinCountyDA.com/PTD).

Dozens of employers participate by hiring program participants and graduates. “These employers find it makes good business sense to hire those who’ve mastered basic life skills like punctuality, handling adversity, and conflict resolution. Successful graduates get their case expunged in addition to gaining the skills and mindset that enable them to grow stronger and wiser through life’s ups and downs,” added Willis.

The personal, family, and community benefits are enormous. The program teaches core life concepts like accountability, responsibility, and adaptability, as well as core job skills needed to thrive in a career.

Willis instituted a diversion program when he first took office in 2011, resulting in thousands of first-time offenders having their records erased. However, Willis noticed that participants who lacked family and social support were less likely to succeed in the program. “We’ve found that it’s a positive thing to give someone a second chance. But we’ve also found that if we don’t equip people to take full advantage of it, it can be an opportunity lost.”

While Covid-19 has temporarily paused the second chance initiative, it allowed Willis’ office and its nonprofit diversion programming partner, Pivot Talent Group, to retool and further enhance the program, which should resume as summer begins.   Upgrades to the program include a streamlined application process, a user-friendly webpage, and life skills and resources for all participants.

#####

February 25, 2020 

(McKinney, Texas) Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that a jury sentenced Marcus Johnson-McBryde, 23, of Allen, to 60 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to two cases of Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant and one case of Aggravated Robbery. McBryde also received prison sentences on five additional cases as part of his guilty plea to the jury.

“Sometimes things that go without saying just need to be said, like ‘Don’t assault officers, don’t carjack innocent civilians, don’t commit new crimes while on parole, don’t rob people or businesses, and don’t shoot at police officers,’” Willis said after sentencing.

In the early morning hours of July 5, 2018, McBryde carjacked two people at gunpoint in an Allen apartment parking lot.  Plano Police Officer Zach Petty located McBryde on the entrance ramp at SB US 75 heading WB onto the George Bush Turnpike and attempted to stop him.  McBryde fired multiple rounds out the driver’s side window at Officer Petty, and then accelerated up to speeds of 120 MPH. Plano Officers pursued in three separate squad cars. The pursuit ended with McBryde crashing into a barrier on the entrance ramp to the Dallas North Tollway.  During that chase, McBryde also shot at Plano Officer Garrett Murray.

After officers arrested McBryde, Plano Detective Aaron Benzick, and Allen Detectives Timothy Dowd and C.D. Mayfield interviewed him. McBryde admitted he bonded out of jail on a robbery charge just five days earlier and that’s why he stole the car and fled from the police; to avoid going back to jail.  While in the Collin County Jail on the charges stemming from his July 5^th arrest, McBryde assaulted a detention officer, resulting in an additional charge for Assault on a Public Servant.

McBryde pleaded guilty to all seven charges.  During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence of McBryde’s prior felony and misdemeanor convictions, including evading, possession of drugs at school, criminal trespass, stealing cars, attempted robbery of a pregnant woman, and aggravated assault of a public servant for his brutal assault of a female correctional officer during his incarceration at the Gainesville State School.

Prosecutors also presented evidence of McBryde’s membership in the Bloods criminal street gang and that McBryde was on parole for the Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant and on bond for his role in a Robbery at a Plano Metro PCS store at the time he committed his July 5^th crimes.

After hearing evidence, the jury sentenced McBryde to 60 years on the aggravated cases described above, 20 years on the Evading with Motor Vehicle case, 10 years on the Assault Public Servant case, 10 years on the Robbery case and 2 years in State Jail on the Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Briggs and Christina Skipper prosecuted the cases, aided by District Attorney Investigator Kenneth Newton, while Judge Richard Davis presided.

#####

February 24, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Everardo Raul Sanchez-Cabrera, 45, of Plano, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. “We expect our church leaders, even volunteers, to be role-models and teachers; not predators.  Those who prey on children must face the consequences,” added Willis after sentencing.

Sanchez-Cabrera volunteered as a worship leader at the same church where the victim and her family attended. In early 2019, without the knowledge of the victim’s parents, Sanchez-Cabrera began communicating with the 11 year old victim over social media.

After several months of communicating via social media, Sanchez-Cabrera asked her to secretly meet with him. Sanchez-Cabrera picked up the victim and drove her to his home, where he sexually assaulted her.

The victim told her parents about the sexual assault after they expressed their concerns about her sad and fearful behavior. Plano Police Detective Catherine Foreman investigated the case. The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and disclosed details about the sexual assault.

Sanchez-Cabrera entered a plea of guilty, and after hearing evidence, Judge Angela Tucker assessed punishment at 40 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorneys Kimberly Kircher and Geeta Singletary prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Kim Voigt-Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Raman Kaur.

#####

February 10, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Robert Kessler, 35, of Allen, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  “Child pornographers must face the consequences of exploiting children, especially those without a voice,” added Willis.

In 2018, Collin County Sheriff’s Office investigators initially found Kessler in possession of approximately 6,000 images and videos depicting child pornography. Further investigation revealed that Kessler possessed over 90,000 images of children ranging from toddlers to early teens being sexually abused or exploited.

After reviewing Kessler’s images, law enforcement identified approximately 6,200 known victims listed on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database.

After hearing several hours of testimony as well as reviewing the evidence, Judge Tom Nowak assessed 10 year sentences on counts 1 and 2 to run consecutively. This is the maximum punishment allowable by law for these crimes. Judge Nowak then assessed 5 year sentences on the remaining counts, to begin after the first two prison sentences are served, for a total punishment of 25 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Shannon Miller prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigators Chris Meehan and Billy Lanier, and Collin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Lee McMillian.

#####

February 5, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Robert Veal, 37, of Princeton, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of Capital Murder.

On September 20, 2017, the victim’s adult daughter found her mother, Kelli Underwood, deceased inside her home due to multiple gunshot and stab wounds. Veal and an accomplice, Delvin Powell, were identified by name and description as having been seen with Underwood at her home on the last day she was known to be alive.

After multiple witness interviews and reviews of cell phone evidence, law enforcement learned that Veal and Powell were hired by two other individuals to carry out the murder. All four were ultimately charged in the murder for hire plot. The jury’s guilty verdict on Capital Murder carried with it, by law, an automatic punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge Angela Tucker presided over the case and assessed that automatic sentence. In August 2019, a different jury found accomplice Delvin Powell guilty of Capital Murder, and he was also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case was investigated by Texas Ranger Bruce Sherman, with the assistance of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Princeton Police Department. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Calli Bailey and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Stacey Taylor.

####

January 21, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that habitual offender Christopher Crawford, 42, of Dallas, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. “I commend McKinney police for their quick response and bravery in apprehending this dangerous felon. They also zeroed in on the two handguns he threw out of a stolen truck near a neighborhood entrance, before a child could have found them,” added Willis.

On November 6, 2018, McKinney police responded to a residential Aggravated Robbery call. The reporting party said the suspect had a gun, stole his truck, and drove away. Officers spotted the truck driving nearby and tried to pull it over. Instead, the truck sped away. A 15-minute high speed chase ensued from McKinney and north into Melissa, reaching speeds of 70-80 miles per hour.

During the chase, Officers saw Crawford throw something out the passenger window, which sparked as it hit the ground. Eventually, in an attempt to end the chase, officers rammed the truck, which then crashed into a tree. While searching Crawford’s pockets, officers found two speed loaders for a revolver, both loaded with bullets.

Officers next searched the area where Crawford threw the object out the window and found a semi-automatic handgun on the side of highway 5 near the entrance to a McKinney neighborhood. Officers also found a revolver a short distance away.

McKinney Detective Craig Owens interviewed Crawford, who admitted to throwing two handguns out the passenger window during the chase. Crawford described one as being a semi-automatic handgun and the other as a chrome revolver with a brown handle. Both descriptions matched the guns found by officers.

A jury convicted Crawford of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Crawford’s prior felony and misdemeanor convictions, including robbery, assault, family violence, terroristic threat, and drug possession. Under Texas habitual offender law, Crawford’s prior felony prison sentences raised the range of punishment for this crime from 2-10 years to 25 years to life. Judge Tom Nowak presided over the jury trial and assessed punishment at 30 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Briggs and Emily Doron prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Mike Owens.

#####

January 24, 2020

(McKinney, Texas) Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Jessica Joy Wiese, 45, of McKinney, will serve 20 years in prison for eight cases of Injury to Child. “This is every parent’s nightmare – you entrust your infant child to someone who instead cruelly harms them behind closed doors,” added Willis.

A jury found Wiese guilty for one of the eight cases after a trial in December 2019, and assessed punishment at the maximum sentence under the law – 10 years in prison. On Wednesday, Wiese pleaded guilty to the remaining seven charges of injury to a child in return for an additional 10 years in prison to be served after the initial jury sentence, for a total sentence of 20 years. After final sentencing, the children’s family members gave victim impact statements – some described the continuing nightmare caused by the abuse, while others extended forgiveness.

Wiese, a former nurse, worked as an infant care provider at the Joyous Montessori Daycare in McKinney, Texas between May 2016 and November 2018. After a parent noticed bruising on her child and received no satisfactory explanation from the daycare, the parent and her pediatrician notified CPS. McKinney Police Detective Aaron Magallanez investigated and reviewed all available daycare surveillance video, which included only the previous two weeks. He discovered that Wiese injured that infant by violently shaking him, ultimately causing three broken bones. Detective Magallanez also discovered seven additional infants Wiese abused while in her care. These children ranged in age from 9 weeks to 14 months. Six of the eight charges were based on video evidence.

All of these infants were evaluated at the Children’s Medical Center’s Referral and Evaluation of At Risk Children (REACH) Clinic. The REACH clinic medical staff is certified and trained in Child Abuse Pediatrics and determined the extent of the injuries. These medical evaluations, along with the video evidence, led to the eight charges of Injury to a Child, all 3^rd degree felonies because the injuries did not rise to the level of serious bodily injury as defined in the Texas Penal Code.

Assistant District Attorneys Abigail Policastro and Bobby Huber prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Kim Voigt-Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Raman Kaur.

#####

(McKinney, Texas) 

John Steven Gardner was executed in Huntsville, Texas the evening of January 15, 2020.

In January 2005, Gardner murdered his wife Tammy Gardner. Tammy filed to divorce Gardner only days before. After days of threatening messages about the divorce, Gardner drove from Mississippi, broke into Tammy’s home, and shot her. After he shot her once in the head and fled the scene, Tammy called 911, identified Gardner as the man who had shot her, and had left in a white Ford with Mississippi plates. Tammy died later in the hospital.

Gardner borrowed the Ford from his brother-in-law along with a .44 Magnum handgun. The weapon had one spent round, the same caliber as the fatal gunshot wound. Evidence connecting Gardner to Tammy’s murder was found in the Ford.

Gardner had a long history of violence against women. He shot his pregnant second wife, who later died from the injuries. After serving time in prison for her death, Gardner was released and later abducted his third wife at knifepoint and savagely beat her daughter. He also sexually assaulted one of his step-daughters. Gardner was convicted of Tammy’s murder in 2006 and sentenced to death.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” said Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis. “Despicable abusers like this keep us vigilant in our pursuit of justice for victims of domestic violence and their children.”

#####

November 25, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced a jury’s 50 year sentence, without parole, for Jimmy Duane Tucker, 50, of McKinney, Texas. “Our juries are the conscience of our community, and they’ve once again made it crystal clear that child predators must pay for hurting children,” said Willis after sentencing.

Tucker sexually abused the victim, a child known to him, for 8 years. In September of 2017, the victim, gathered the strength to notify police that Tucker had sexually abused her since she was 12 years old. The victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County where she revealed additional details of the sexual abuse. The McKinney Police Department investigated the case and arrested Tucker.

The jury found Tucker guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, nine counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, and three counts of Prohibited Sexual Conduct. The jury assessed punishment at 50 years in prison without the possibility for parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. By law, a charge of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is not eligible for parole or good time credit. Additionally, the jury assessed 20 years in prison for each of the nine counts of Sexual Assault of a Child and 10 years in prison for each of the three counts of Prohibited Sexual Conduct. Judge Rayburn Nall presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Abigail Policastro and Ann Martin prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Kim Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Stacey Taylor, and Legal Secretaries Raman Kaur and Christy Ware.

#####

November 22, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced a 45 year prison sentence for skate park child predator Dontarious Scott, 23, of McKinney, Texas. “This deceitful monster targeted these innocent kids and deserves every single year of this sentence,” said Willis after sentencing.

Scott sexually abused multiple children he met over several years at skate parks in Allen, Frisco, and McKinney, Texas.  Scott, a talented scooter and BMX rider, offered to teach children new tricks and served as a mentor to the younger scooter riders at the various skate parks.  Scott also lied to the kids and their parents that he was several years younger than he was. His seven victims ranged in age from 10 to 13 years old.

Scott often used social media including Instagram and Snapchat to communicate with his victims. One of the victim’s parents discovered sexually suggestive messages from Scott on their child’s phone.  They reported this to law enforcement, whose investigation led to the discovery of the other abused children. Scott confessed to abusing at least one of the seven identified victims.

Allen Police Department Detective Carolyn Crawford investigated the case. The children were forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where they disclosed details about the ongoing abuse.

Scott pleaded guilty to Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. After hearing testimony from several victims as well as Scott, Judge Richard D. Davis 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 Nick Lawrance and Carrie Thomas prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers and Stephanie Strickland, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

#####

November 18, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced a jury’s 50 year prison sentence (without parole) for Jesus Mejia, 31, of Garland, for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 6 years of age. “This monster will now face the consequences of his despicable actions because this young, innocent victim found the courage to tell,” Willis said after the sentencing.

Mejia knew and sexually assaulted the child on several occasions before the child was old enough to start kindergarten. In May 2017, the then 10 year old victim mustered the courage to tell her mother about the abuse. Her mother and stepfather then reported the abuse to the McKinney Police Department.

McKinney Detective Chris Kennedy investigated the case. The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and disclosed details about the abuse.

The jury found Mejia guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 6 years of age and Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact. For Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 6, the jury assessed punishment late Friday at 50 years in prison with a $10,000 fine. By law, a sentence for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 6 years of age is not eligible for parole. For Indecency with a Child by Contact, the jury assessed punishment at 10 years in prison with a $5,000 fine. Judge Henry Wade, Jr. presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Ann Martin and Geeta Singletary prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Kim Eanes and Greg Bowers, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Raman Kaur.

#####

September 16, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Stacy Davidson, 52, of Wylie, Texas, was sentenced to 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “Children everywhere are now safe from this monster because of this brave and innocent child’s courage,” Willis said after the sentencing.

Although not a relative, Davidson knew the child and sexually abused her over the course of a year starting when she was five years old. Then, in November 2018, about three years after the abuse stopped, the child mustered the courage to tell her father about it. Her parents then reported the abuse to law enforcement.

Wylie Police Department Detective Amanda Fields and Corporal Helen Taylor investigated the case. The victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and disclosed details about the abuse.

The jury found Davidson guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors introduced evidence of a 2015 FBI investigation involving Davidson and child pornography. An FBI Special Agent testified that during their investigation, it was discovered that hundreds of child pornography media files had recently been opened on Davidson’s computer. This was considered by the Court when determining Davidson’s prison sentence.

Last week, Judge James R. Fry assessed punishment at 60 years in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

Assistant District Attorneys Geeta Singletary and Nick Lawrance prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers and Kim Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

#####

September 4, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Delvin Powell, 40, of Plano, was found guilty of Capital Murder by a jury and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “The victim was truly beloved by her family. The jury’s verdict brings justice for the family and guarantees this brutal murderer can never harm an innocent person again” added Willis after the sentencing.

On September 20, 2017, the victim’s adult daughter found her mother, Kelli Underwood, deceased inside her home due to multiple gunshot and stab wounds. Powell and an accomplice were identified by name and description as having been seen with Underwood at her home on the last day she was known to be alive.

After many witness interviews and review of cell phone evidence, Texas Ranger Bruce Sherman determined that Powell and the accomplice were hired by two other individuals to carry out the murder. All four were ultimately charged in the murder for hire scheme.

The jury’s guilty verdict on Capital Murder carried with it, by law, an automatic punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Judge Angela Tucker presided over the case and assessed that automatic sentence.

The case was investigated by the Texas Rangers and the Princeton Police Department with the assistance of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant District Attorneys Calli Bailey and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Stacey Taylor.

####

August 30, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Robert Lee Murray, Jr., 35, of Dallas, was sentenced to 75 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “A violent gang member and career criminal preyed on an innocent civilian for the last time. The judge and jury showed him the prison door and now he’ll pay for his crimes for a long, long time,” said Willis after the sentencing.

In May 2018, Murray, still on parole from a 23 year prison sentence for a 2003 Aggravated Robbery, and several accomplices lured a young man to a Plano parking lot by offering to sell him several iPhones. When the victim arrived, Murray pointed a gun and threatened to shoot him, then stole various items from the victim’s vehicle.

Plano Police Detective Jonathan Hay found incriminating texts messages and photographs on the cell phones of Murray and his accomplices, as well as Murray’s fingerprints on the victim’s vehicle.

The jury found Murray guilty of the first degree felony offense of Aggravated Robbery. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors introduced evidence of Murray’s prior convictions. Among those were violent offenses he committed as a juvenile, and the 2003 aggravated robbery mentioned above. Prosecutors also introduced evidence of Murray’s gang affiliation.

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the case and assessed punishment at 75 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorneys Luke Calhoun and Kim Kircher prosecuted the case and were aided by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putnam and Victim Assistance Coordinators Stacey Taylor and Casey Hendrix.

#####

August 21, 2019

(McKinney, Texas) – Victor Carl Terry, 37, of Dallas, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery and 20 years in prison for Assault on a Public Servant, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “Criminals who perpetrate violence against innocent civilians and dedicated public servants pay the price in Collin County” added Willis.

In June 2018, Terry lived in McKinney, Texas with an elderly, female relative. On June 23rd Terry stabbed her eight times with a knife, then stole her laptop, phone, and tablet, and then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. The victim was hospitalized and survived the attack.

Two days later, law enforcement located Terry in Dallas; officers found the knife as well as illegal drugs in Terry’s possession. He was arrested and detained in the Collin County Jail.

While awaiting trial on the Aggravated Robbery charge, Terry attacked a detention officer, punching him in the face and body multiple times. The detention officer suffered a fractured jaw and was also hospitalized.

McKinney Police Detective Tracy Rimpel investigated the Aggravated Robbery case and Collin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jay Reim investigated the Assault on a Public Servant case.

Terry pled guilty to both charges and a punishment hearing was August 19, 2019. At the hearing, prosecutors presented evidence of Terry’s eight prior convictions including robbery, drug dealing, and burglary of a building. Judge Henry Wade, Jr. presided over the hearing and assessed punishment at 40 years in prison for the Aggravated Robbery and 20 years in prison for the Assault of a Public Servant.

Assistant District Attorneys Ashleigh Woodall and Kailey Gillman prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Kenny Newton and Victim Assistance Coordinators Stacey Taylor and Casey Hendrix.

#####