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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