Sentences given in court cases

Sentences were handed down in several cases during proceedings last week in the 46th Judicial District Court.

Felony DWI

Joe Angel Gloria, 40, of Denton, was sentenced to five years in prison following his plea of guilty to felony driving while intoxicated.

On November 29, 2019, a DPS trooper responded to a report of a one vehicle accident on US Hwy 287 near the Hardeman County line. When the trooper arrived at the scene, he was advised by EMS personnel that Gloria was seen moving beer from inside the vehicle to the trunk. Gloria told the trooper that he had accidentally driven off the road.

During the conversation, the trooper noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from Gloria who also performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests.

He was arrested and a blood sample was obtained showing that Gloria had a blood alcohol concentration level of .224. He was represented by David Rasmussen of Wichita Falls.

Drug possession

Bradly Derrick Watkins, 32, of Vernon, was placed on probation for three years and ordered to in-patient drug rehabilitation following his plea of guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

On May 1, 2019, Vernon police pulled over a vehicle being driven by Watkins for a traffic violation.

During the course of the stop, Watkins consented to a search and a small baggie of methamphetamine was located on his person.

Watkins will have to successfully complete a term at the Brownfield Court Residential Treatment Center as a special condition of his probation.

Additionally, he must pay a fine of $1,500 and complete 150 hours of community service. He was also represented by Rasmussen.

Found with meth

James Nicholas Harter, 29, of Vernon, was placed on probation for three years and ordered to complete out-patient drug rehabilitation following his plea of guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

On February 18, 2020, Harter was stopped by Vernon police for having committed a traffic violation. During the course of the stop, Harter consented to a search of his belongings.

The search yielded a small baggie of methamphetamine in Harter’s possession. Harter will be required to pay a fine of $1,500, complete 150 hours of community supervision, and complete an out-patient drug treatment program through Helen Farabee.

Assaulted patient

Trey Seldon, 25, of Vernon, pleaded guilty to injury to an elderly individual and was placed on probation for a period of three years.

On July 7, 2019, Seldon was working as an employee at North Texas State Hospital when he became upset with a patient and assaulted him. Seldon is also required to pay a fine of $1,500 and complete 150 hours of community service.

Gloria, Watkins, Harter, and Seldon were all represented by David Rasmussen of Wichita Falls.

Family Violence

Brandon Lee Leija, Sr., 41, of Vernon, was placed on probation for a period of five years following his plea of guilty to assault family violence by impeding breath.

On December 4, 2019, Vernon police were dispatched to a residence on Marshall Street in reference to a domestic assault. The victim was upset and crying.

She informed police that the defendant had become verbally aggressive and that he then attacked her, knocked her to the ground, and placed his hands around her neck causing her to not be able to breath.

The victim had difficulty swallowing which is an indication of strangulation. In addition to the term of probation, Leija was ordered to pay a fine of $2,500, complete 250 hours of community service, and successfully complete a batterer intervention and prevention program. He was represented by Sage Seal of Childress.

The cases were prosecuted by the 46h Judicial District Attorney’s Office while District Judge Dan Mike Bird presided over the hearings and assessed the sentences.