Author: Ismael Martinez
Travis County Jury Convicts Man of Aggravated Kidnapping and Sexual Assault
Travis County, TX — On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, a Travis County jury convicted Maurys O. Madruga-Mesa, 43, of Aggravated Kidnapping and Sexual Assault. On Friday, June 20, 2025, a jury was selected, and testimony began on Monday, June 23, 2025, for Mr. Madruga-Mesa’s trial. On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the jury deliberated and […]
Read moreTravis County District Attorney’s Office Announces Indictments Against Former Eanes ISD Teacher Zachary Barnett
Travis County, TX — On Monday, June 23, 2025, a grand jury in the 167th Judicial District Court returned 17 separate indictments charging Zachary Barnett, 26, with one count of Sexual Performance by a Child, six counts of Possession of Child Pornography, and 10 counts of Possession of Lewd Visual Material Depicting a Child. Mr. […]
Read moreTravis County DA’s Office Secures Plea in Use of Force Case Against Former Sergeant Yarger
Travis County, TX — Today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, former Austin Police Department Sergeant Brian Yarger pleaded guilty to Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Official Oppression, both Class A misdemeanors, pursuant to an investigation concerning his excessive force during the arrest of Shaun Johnson on June 2, 2024 (case D1DC24900154). In exchange for his guilty […]
Read moreTravis County DA’s Office Joins Prosecutors, Local Government Officials, & Municipalities in Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Termination of Community Violence Intervention and Victim Services Grants
Travis County, TX — On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office joined prosecutors, local government officials, and local governments in the lawsuit against the Trump administration’s abrupt and unlawful termination of federal public safety grants, through an amicus brief filed by the Public Rights Project. In April 2025, the Office of […]
Read moreTravis County Jury Convicts Man Charged with Murder
Travis County, TX — On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, a Travis County jury convicted Elvin Salvador Tinoco-Orosco, 37, of murder. Jury selection for Mr. Tinoco-Orosco’s trial started on Monday, May 19, 2025, and testimony began on the following day. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the jury began deliberations and, on the same day, found Mr. […]
Read moreTravis County Jury Convicts Man Charged with Sexual Assault
Travis County, TX — On Thursday, May 8, 2025, a Travis County jury convicted John Arnold, 32, of Sexual Assault. For Mr. Arnold’s trial, jury selection started on Monday, May 5, 2025, and testimony began the following day. On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the jury started deliberating and on Thursday, May 8, 2025, found him […]
Read moreTravis County Jury Convicts Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault
Travis County, TX — On Thursday, April 24, 2025, a Travis County jury convicted Jerris Harris, 28, of Aggravated Sexual Assault. Jury selection started on Monday, April 21, 2025, and testimony began on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the jury started deliberations and found Mr. Harris guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault. […]
Read moreDefendant Who Did Not Receive a Fair Trial Released
Travis County, TX — On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Honorable Judge Karen Sage issued an order for Alvin Stewart, 42, who did not receive a fair trial in 2002, to be released from custody. Judge Sage resentenced Mr. Stewart for his 2002 aggravated robbery conviction after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) granted […]
Read moreTravis County District Attorney’s Office Provides Update on Solomun Weldekeal-Araya’s Cases
Travis County, TX — — On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office reached an agreement to modify the conditions of pretrial release to keep our community safe while Solomun Weldekeal-Araya awaits trial. The agreement was reached with defense counsel, and the Court approved it. The bond conditions require that the defendant […]
Read moreTravis County Jury Convicts Man Charged with Murder
Travis County, TX — On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, a Travis County jury convicted Adam Brown, 25, of Murder. For Mr. Brown’s trial, jury selection started on Monday, April 7, 2025, and testimony began the following day. On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the jury started deliberations and on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, found Mr. Brown […]
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