Five sentenced to prison; two recieve probation in Hall County District Court
On Wednesday, April 16, one hearing took place in the 100th Judicial District Court in Hall County and six pleas took place in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County.
Luke Inman, the District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Dale Rabe presiding.
In Hall County, David Keith Hammons, 31, from Amarillo, Texas, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the second degree felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred in Hall County on June 9, 2022.
Hammons was originally placed on probation for the offense on Dec. 20, 2022.
On Sept. 26, 2024, the State filed its motion requesting the court to revoke Hammons’ probation, alleging three violations of his conditions of probation.
At the hearing, Hammons denied violating the probation conditions.
The State called two witnesses, both probation officers, who testified to the defendant’s violations.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Rabe revoked Hammons’ probation and imposed the 17-year prison sentence.
Hammons was also ordered to pay an $8,000 fine and $340 court costs.
Due to the classification of Hammons’ offense under Texas law, he will be required to serve at least 50 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
In Childress County, Russel Jonathan Mason, 47, from El Reno, Okla., was sentenced to six years in prison for the third degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance that took place in Childress County on July 7, 2024.
Mason was originally placed on probation for the offense on Aug. 15, 2024. On Dec. 11, 2024, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to revoke Lunde’s probation, alleging five violations of his conditions of probation. Mason pleaded true to the allegations.
Mason was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and $340 court costs.
Flint Lynn Hill, 34, from Quanah, Texas, was sentenced to eight years in prison for the third degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver that took place in Childress County on Oct. 25, 2021.
Hill was originally placed on probation for the offense on Feb. 10, 2022. On Dec. 11, 2024, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to revoke Hill’s probation, alleging six violations of his conditions of probation. Hill pleaded true to the allegations.
Hill was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and $340 court costs.
Carl Raymond Clark, 31, from Quanah, Texas, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle that took place in Childress County on May 6, 2023.
Clark was originally placed on probation for the offense on Aug. 15, 2024. On March 27, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to revoke Clark’s probation, alleging three violations of his conditions of probation. Clark pleaded true to the allegations.
Clark was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $340 court costs and $3,300 in restitution.
Jorge Luis Duenas, 40, from Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance that took place in Childress County on April 11, 2021.
Duenas was originally placed on probation for the offense on August 24, 2023. On January 28, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to revoke Lunde’s probation, alleging five violations of his conditions of probation. Duenas pleaded true to the allegations.
Duenas was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and $340 court costs.
Joseph Roy Taylor, 33, from Childress, Texas was placed on four years probation for the first degree felony offense of arson.
Taylor was arrested by Childress Police Chief Jerald Johnson for the offense that took place on Feb. 6. Taylor was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on March 25.
Taylor was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $340 in court costs, $500 in attorney’s fees and complete 400 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Taylor faces up to 99 years or life in prison.
Skyler Free Smith, 30, from Tyler, Texas, was placed on five years probation for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated third or more.
Smith was arrested by Childress County Deputy Chris LaCario for the offense that took place on Oct. 3, 2024. Smith pleaded to an information filed by the State on April 2.
Smith was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, $340 in court costs, $450 in attorney’s fees, complete 400 hours of community service, complete an alcohol education program and install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he operates. If his probation is revoked, Smith faces up to 10 in prison.