County & District Attorney Press Releases All Archives (View Archived)

Child Predator Receives Three Consecutive Life Sentences Child Predator Receives Three Consecutive Life Sentences
Violent Felon Sentenced to 40 Years for Domestic Abuse Violent Felon Sentenced to 40 Years for Domestic Abuse
Las Vegas Predator Sentenced to Life for Human Trafficking Las Vegas Predator Sentenced to Life for Human Trafficking
Waxahachie Man Gets Life in Prison for Beating His Infant Daughter to Death Waxahachie Man Gets Life in Prison for Beating His Infant Daughter to Death
Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery announced that Jose Sierra, 38, of Waxahachie, Texas, was sentenced to Life in prison for Injury to Child. On December 28, 2021, Sierra pulled up to the Ellis County Jail in downtown Waxahachie and flagged down two maintenance workers, stating that his baby was unresponsive. A worker called 911 and an ambulance arrived on the scene in less than a minute. A paramedic found the child unresponsive, limp, and cold to the touch. Despite life-saving efforts in the ambulance, paramedics were never able to get a cardiac rhythm. The child, seven-month-old Valeria Sierra, was pronounced dead at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie. Emergency room personnel immediately grew suspicious upon examination of the infant as she had several bruises on her body and multiple broken bones in various stages of healing. An autopsy performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas revealed that Valeria had two healing broken clavicles, a healing fracture to the left femur, healing fractures to the left proximal tibia, and a refracture to a healing break of the left distal fibula. The child also had numerous bruises and hemorrhages to her head, face, neck, chin, shoulder, torso, right hand, and left leg. According to forensic pathologist Dr. Chester Gwin, Valeria’s body “could no longer fight and heal from these injuries.” In statements to the police, Sierra attempted to cast blame on the child’s mother, the child’s pediatrician, Valeria’s nieces, and nephews, and even on Valeria herself. He also gave explanations for the injuries, but his explanations did not match the medical evidence of the injuries or the level of force that caused Valeria’s injuries. The police investigation showed that the injuries to Valeria began shortly after Valeria’s mother went back to work—leaving Sierra, Valeria’s father, as the sole caregiver of the child when the mother was working. On September 28, 2023, the jury swiftly delivered a guilty verdict and sentenced Sierra to life in prison. Judge Cindy Ermatinger of the 443rd District Court, who presided over the trial, pronounced the sentence. Injury to a Child as charged in the indictment carries a sentencing range of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. The defendant was probation eligible. “The injuries this baby endured during her short life were despicable,” stated Montgomery. “The person who should have protected Valeria was, in fact, the perpetrator. Once again, an Ellis County jury showed that if you commit a crime and intentionally or knowingly hurt a child, there will be severe consequences. I am proud of the work by my office and the Waxahachie Police Department in bringing justice for Valeria.” Assistant County and District Attorneys James Zaleta and Sherry Roeder prosecuted the case, assisted by County and District Attorney Investigator Todd Woodruff. The case was investigated by Officer Elizabeth Glidewell, Detective Jill Turner, and retired Officer Michael McCorkle of the Waxahachie Police Department. The Ellis County and District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Dr. Suzanne Dakil, M.D., of the REACH Clinic at Children’s Health in Dallas for her assistance in the case and her expert testimony, as well as Emergency Room personnel at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center, Waxahachie.
Former Grand Prairie Teacher Sentenced for Relationship with Student Former Grand Prairie Teacher Sentenced for Relationship with Student
Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison
43 Year Prison Sentence for Serial Child Sex Abuser 43 Year Prison Sentence for Serial Child Sex Abuser
Maximum Sentence for Getzendaner Park Rapist Maximum Sentence for Getzendaner Park Rapist
Fort Worth Drug Dealer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison Fort Worth Drug Dealer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison
Midlothian Resident Convicted of Promotion of Child Pornography Midlothian Resident Convicted of Promotion of Child Pornography
Ennis Capital Murderer Convicted and Sentenced to Life without Parole Ennis Capital Murderer Convicted and Sentenced to Life without Parole
Hall indicted for Three Capital Murder Charges.  County Attorney to Seek the Death Penalty Hall indicted for Three Capital Murder Charges. County Attorney to Seek the Death Penalty
Life without Parole for Ennis Capital Murderer Life without Parole for Ennis Capital Murderer
Dangerous Felon Sentenced to 28 years in Prison Dangerous Felon Sentenced to 28 years in Prison
Waxahachie Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography Waxahachie Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography
MURDER SUSPECT AND FUGITIVE JENNIFER PUENTE ARRESTED AND RETURNED TO ELLIS COUNTY MURDER SUSPECT AND FUGITIVE JENNIFER PUENTE ARRESTED AND RETURNED TO ELLIS COUNTY
Life in Prison for Convicted Child Predator Life in Prison for Convicted Child Predator
Jury Sentences Man to 20 Years for Promotion of Child Pornography Jury Sentences Man to 20 Years for Promotion of Child Pornography
Child Predator Sentenced to Life for Sexually Abusing Four-Year-Old Child Child Predator Sentenced to Life for Sexually Abusing Four-Year-Old Child
Venus Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing Two Young Teenage Girls Venus Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing Two Young Teenage Girls
75 Year Sentence for Convicted Murderer 75 Year Sentence for Convicted Murderer
Red Oak Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Children Red Oak Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Children
Tarrant County Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Midlothian Family Dollar Tarrant County Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Midlothian Family Dollar
Maypearl Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Maypearl Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Ennis Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing 10-Year-Old Ennis Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing 10-Year-Old
Failure to Stop after Deadly Crash Leads to 25 Year Prison Sentence Failure to Stop after Deadly Crash Leads to 25 Year Prison Sentence
Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Failure to Register Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Failure to Register
Parsons 1-17-2019 Parsons 1-17-2019
JEWELRY THIEF SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON JEWELRY THIEF SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON
No Charges for False Allegations 5-25-2018 No Charges for False Allegations 5-25-2018
David Kemp 5-7-2018 David Kemp 5-7-2018
Rep. Wrap and DA Wilson work with school officials to keep schools safe Rep. Wrap and DA Wilson work with school officials to keep schools safe
Regino Salinas - February 5, 2018 Regino Salinas - February 5, 2018
Mitchell Anderson - October 19, 2017 Mitchell Anderson - October 19, 2017
Dennis Ray Avery - September 21, 2017 Dennis Ray Avery - September 21, 2017
Amanda Kelso - September 6, 2017 Amanda Kelso - September 6, 2017
Trenton Eugene Sinyard - August 21, 2017 Trenton Eugene Sinyard - August 21, 2017
Kevin Michael Coffey - February 21, 2017 Kevin Michael Coffey - February 21, 2017
Bryan Wayne Stewart - January 30, 2017 Bryan Wayne Stewart - January 30, 2017
Daniel Hammons - January 12, 2017 Daniel Hammons - January 12, 2017
Keith Wisakowsky - November 10, 2016 Keith Wisakowsky - November 10, 2016
Curtis Diggs - October 17, 2016 Curtis Diggs - October 17, 2016
Press Release 8-17-2016 Press Release 8-17-2016
Daubitz - July 25, 2016 Daubitz - July 25, 2016
Pornography and Sex Assault 6/30/2016 Pornography and Sex Assault 6/30/2016
Kristi Barrett - 4/20/2016 Kristi Barrett - 4/20/2016
Daniel Loredo - April 8, 2016 Daniel Loredo - April 8, 2016
William Anderson - December 15, 2015 William Anderson - December 15, 2015
Daniel Hinojosa - November 9, 2015 Daniel Hinojosa - November 9, 2015
Sophia Castillo - October 28, 2015 Sophia Castillo - October 28, 2015
Harvey Searcy - October 20, 2015 Harvey Searcy - October 20, 2015
Charles Attaway - April 27, 2015 Charles Attaway - April 27, 2015
Amy Reese - April 21, 2015 Amy Reese - April 21, 2015
Ronald Combs - April 6, 2015 Ronald Combs - April 6, 2015
Jose DeJesus Maldonado, Jr. - February 20, 2014 Jose DeJesus Maldonado, Jr. - February 20, 2014
Bill Windsor - Wanted Poster Bill Windsor - Wanted Poster
Sheena Armstrong - 11-24-2014 Sheena Armstrong - 11-24-2014
Child Abuser Sentenced to 45 Years
Roberto Hernandez - September 30, 2014 Roberto Hernandez - September 30, 2014
Leonard Hennard - Wanted Posted Leonard Hennard - Wanted Posted
Leonard Hennard - August 28, 2014 Leonard Hennard - August 28, 2014
Sonny Tyrone Thompson - August 22, 2104 Sonny Tyrone Thompson - August 22, 2104
Jury Gives Man 8 Years for Running Wife Off of the Road
Russell Robinson, Jr. - July 21, 2014 Russell Robinson, Jr. - July 21, 2014
JOE ALVARADO-May 29, 2014 JOE ALVARADO-May 29, 2014
Alvarado pleads guilty to Murder and Tampering with Evidence
David McKinley - April 11, 2014 David McKinley - April 11, 2014
Samuel Ortez - March 13, 2014 Samuel Ortez - March 13, 2014
Hit and Run Driver Sentenced to 15 and 10 Years
David Cornett - February 26, 2014 David Cornett - February 26, 2014
Sex Offender Sentenced to 50 Years
County and District Attorney Press Release - January 24, 2104 County and District Attorney Press Release - January 24, 2104
Former Teacher Sentenced to 81 Years for Child Pornography
First Assistant Designated First Assistant Designated
Lee Auvenshine designated as First Assistant County & District Attorney
Mahmod Qalawi - October 29, 2013 Mahmod Qalawi - October 29, 2013
Qalawi sentenced to 5 years in shooting of wife.
Archie Becks - September 27, 2013 Archie Becks - September 27, 2013
Archie Becks was convicted and sentenced to 60 years for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
County and District Press Release, Mason - August 16, 2013 County and District Press Release, Mason - August 16, 2013
On August 16, 2013, an Ellis County jury sentenced Ryan Keith Mason, 41, of Italy, to 68 years in prison after he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
County & District Attorney Press Release, Lehman - August 16, 2013 County & District Attorney Press Release, Lehman - August 16, 2013
Prosecutors asked the jury to find Lehman guilty of nine counts of animal cruelty and to sentence her to the maximum one year in jail.
County & District Attorney Press Release August 6, 2013 County & District Attorney Press Release August 6, 2013
Assualt Bodily Injury
County and District Attorney Press Release August 1, 2013 County and District Attorney Press Release August 1, 2013
Jury Sentences Career Drug Dealer to 80 and 20 Years.