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Repeat offender, parolee nets 35 years for recent felony in Collin County

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4 years ago

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McKINNEY, TX — ​Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Carlos Espinoza, 40, of Fort Worth, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after the jury found him guilty of Evading Arrest in a Vehicle and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

“Repeat offenders who commit crimes while already in violation of their parole can’t be allowed to remain on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” Willis said after sentencing.

On Feb. 21, 2020, McKinney Police Department Narcotics Sergeant John Woodruff saw Espinoza run a stop sign after leaving a known drug house. The sergeant attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Espinoza drove away at over 60 miles an hour through residential neighborhoods in McKinney. Espinoza crashed his vehicle into a resident’s back yard fence and attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by Sergeant Woodruff a few blocks away.

Officers then found two baggies of methamphetamine during a search of Espinoza’s vehicle. Officers also discovered that there was a pending warrant out for Espinoza’s arrest due to a parole violation.

The jury found Espinoza guilty of Evading Arrest in a Vehicle and Possession of a Controlled Substance. During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence of Espinoza’s prior convictions for various felonies including Arson, Burglary of a Habitation, and Evading Arrest in a Vehicle. Espinoza had a total of 26 prior convictions, 16 of which were felonies and 10 misdemeanors. Because of this history, Espinoza’s minimum punishment by law was 25 years. Judge John Roach Jr. assessed punishment at 35 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Jamin Daly and Nick Lawrance prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Ryan Harvey, and Legal Secretary Jasmine Pope.

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