Jury gives county man 80 years

Williams found guilty on 4 drug charges

A Caldwell County jury found John Tomack Williams, 26, guilty of four felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver on Friday morning after a week-long trial in front of District Judge Jack Robison. After finding Williams guilty on Thursday afternoon, the jury returned Friday morning to assess s

entencing.

The jury returned the following sentences: Count 1 – Possession of a Controlled Substance (cocaine) with Intent to Deliver, 80 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Institutional Division (TDCJ – ID) and a $10,000 fine; Count 2 – Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, 10 years TDCJ-ID and a $10,000 fine; Count 3 – Possession of a Controlled Substance (alprazolam) with Intent to Deliver, two years State Jail and a $10,000 fine; and Count 4- Possession of a Controlled Substance (codeine) with Intent to Deliver, 80 years TDCJ-ID and a $10,000 fine. All counts and fine amounts will run concurrently.

The facts stem from a Caldwell County Chisholm Trail Narcotics Task Force raid on a house right outside the Luling city limits on Feb. 24, 2004. During the search of the house that was occupied by Williams and other individuals, a large amount of drugs, cash, a digital scale and packaging material were found. Law enforcement officials were first called to the scene in reference to a fight involving an assault rifle. After the initial investigation of the fight and a brief search for the firearm, a search warrant was obtained and the drugs were located. Officers from Luling police department and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s office conducted the investigation as part of the Caldwell County Chisholm Trail Narcotics Task Force.

“I believe the jury found the defendant to be a drug dealer and they wanted to send a strong message that dealing drugs in this community will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Trey Hicks. “I want to thank the officers and my prosecutors for their hard work in this case.” Assistant District Attorneys Josh Erwin and Amanda Goff tried the case. Williams was represented by Robert Hatcher of the law firm of Reese and Williamson.

Another Caldwell County jury had previously found Williams guilty of possession of a controlled substance and assault on a peace officer in December of last year. In that case, the judge assessed Williams three years TDCJ-ID for the charges.

(Courtesy of Trey Hicks)