12 years ago

Childress – On Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 five pleas took place which resulted in three convictions and two deferred adjudications.

Luke Inman, the District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

A total of $11,500 in fines was assessed as a result of the pleas that took place on Oct. 22. In addition to the fines, the defendants were required to pay a total of $1,908.50 in court costs and $140 restitution.

1. Stephen Alanzo Criswell pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate. Morton was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On Dec. 5, 2011, the 19-year-old resident of Childress was originally pleaded guilty to the second degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance that occurred on Dec. 2, 2011, in Childress County.

The State filed the motion to adjudicate on July 23, 2012, alleging one violation of community supervision. Criswell failed to complete the court ordered drug rehabilitation as required.

Criswell is also required to pay $376 in court costs to Childress County, $140 lab fee, and a $2,000 fine.

2. Vanessa Marie Morton pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate. Morton was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in the State Jail Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On Sept. 15, 2010, Morton, 26-year-old resident of Houston, originally pleaded guilty to the state jail felony offense of forgery that occurred on July 13, 2010, in Childress County.

The State filed the motion to adjudicate on Aug. 28, 2012, alleging seven violations of community supervision.

Morton is also required to pay $376 in court costs to Childress County and a $2,500 fine.

3. Randall M Crouchet was convicted of the third degree felony offense of assault on a public servant. Crouchet was convicted and sentenced to three years in the Institutional Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Crouchet, 24-year-old was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Dec. 6, 2010.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Crouchet was required to pay $385.50 in court costs.

4. Candace Dashay Benenati was placed on probation for a period of four years for the third degree felony offense of injury to a child. Benenati pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Benenati, 29-year-old resident of Childress, was arrested in Childress County on Aug. 1, 2012 and was later indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Aug. 28, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Benenati is required to pay a $3,000 fine to Childress County, is also required to pay $385.50 in court costs and complete 200 hours of community service. If Benenati violates probation, she could face up to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

5. David Perez was placed on probation for a period of eight years for the second degree felony offense of indecency with a child. Perez pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Perez, 30-year-old resident of Childress, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place March 17, 2012 and was later indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Aug. 28, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Perez is required to pay a $4,000 fine to Childress County and is also required to pay $385.50 in court costs. If Perez violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.