Pleas accepted in two felony cases by DA
San Jacinto News- Times - April 2009

COLDSPRING – Pleas from two defendants facing charges in the 258th Judicial District Court were accepted last week by San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney Bill Burnett. Reynaldo Lopez, 18, was charged with fi rst degree felony burglary of a habitation/organized crime in connection with six burglaries that occurred in north San Jacinto County in late December 2008. “When three or more persons are involved in a criminal enterprise they may be prosecuted under the organized crime statute,” Burnett said. Lopez, along with Bobby Buck Hall, Patrick Torres, and Hayden Alexander Skucius committed the burglaries in Governor’s Point Subdivision, Waterwood Subdivision and along Loop 224. The four were caught within days after the sheriff’s department received a tip. Lopez was placed on 10 years probation, ordered to pay a $5,000 fi ne, perform 360 hours of community service and make restitution to the six victims. “Lopez had no criminal history and placing him on probation gives him an opportunity to turn his life around” Burnett stated. Burnett pointed out that placing a defendant on probation in a case like this also allows him to work and pay restitution to the victims for any damage or losses they may have incurred. If Lopez is not successful on probation, he could still be sentenced to prison for 10 years. The three remaining co-defendants still have their cases pending in court. Also on Wednesday, Fredrick Lamond Brown pled guilty to three counts of assault on a public servant. Brown had attempted to steal two shopping carts of items from the Dollar General store in Coldspring in late December, 2008. When confronted by offi cers at the Hillside Terrace Apartments shortly after the theft, Brown began to fi ght with the two offi - cers sent to investigate the theft. Other units were called to assist and Brown continued to fi ght, causing minor injuries to three offi cers before being subdued and taken into custody. Assault on a public servant is a third degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fi ne of up to $10,000. Since Brown had a prior felony conviction for possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver, his punishment range was increased to a second degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Brown was sentenced to fi ve years in prison on each of the three counts with the sentences to run concurrent. He is also facing revocation of his parole on the previous felony.