06/04/2026
Job well done! Thank you for the “Shout Out”. Norma’s House is so grateful for the hard work you do for the children of our community!
Before leaving the courthouse this evening, I stepped into an almost empty courtroom and reflected on a long day.
Today we had a pretrial docket in DeWitt County with more than 100 cases. By day's end, we had resolved more than a dozen through plea agreements, providing accountability for offenders, closure for victims, and continued progress in moving cases through the justice system.
Most importantly, we secured a lengthy state prison sentence that will stack onto a substantial federal sentence, ensuring a child predator who lived in our midst will spend approximately 50 years behind bars. The Defendant will not be parole eligible.
The prosecution was led by First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Shawver-Savino, who took responsibility for the case shortly after joining our office. After extensive preparation with our staff, Investigator Joel Johnson, our victim advocates, and law enforcement partners, we were ready for trial. Faced with that preparation and the evidence against him, the defendant chose to plead.
The most important part of today, however, was not the sentence. It was standing beside the victim as she delivered her victim impact statement. Her courage and determination reminded everyone in the courtroom why this work matters.
Today's result reflects the dedication of the Cuero Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, our victim advocacy team led by Leigh Ann Harryman, Norma's House Child Advocacy Center, and every professional who helped bring this case to its conclusion. Justice is never the work of one person.
Days like today are rewarding but not easy. They require victims willing to find their voice, law enforcement willing to do the hard work, and public servants committed to seeing a case through to the end.
Today, justice was done. Just as importantly, we continued building a system where cases move, victims are heard, and justice is delivered without unnecessary delay.
Tomorrow, the work continues.
