News Flash

This week, Bexar County Grand Juries handed down 271 felony indictments.

Rene Devora is charged with murder. The indictment alleges that on Dec. 2, 2021, Devora intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Miranda Kennedy by cutting and stabbing Kennedy with a deadly weapon (knife, box cutter or object unknown to the Grand Jury), that in the manner of its use and intended use was capable of causing death and serious bodily injury and striking Kennedy with a deadly weapon (an object unknown to the Grand Jury) that in the manner of its use and intended use was capable of causing death and serious bodily injury. The Family Violence Division is prosecuting this case in the 399^th District Court. Murder is a first degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Francisco Javier Juarez Gonzalez is charged in two separate indictments.

• Aggravated sexual assault: The indictment alleges that on Nov. 28, 2021, Gonzalez intentionally and knowingly caused the penetration of the sexual organ of Stitch Cruz – a pseudonym, by his sexual organ, said act having been committed without the consent of the complainant in that Gonzalez compelled the complainant to submit and participate by threatening to use force and violence against the complainant, and that the complainant believed that Gonzalez had the present ability to execute the threat, and in the course of the same criminal episode Gonzalez used and exhibited a deadly weapon (firearm). The indictment also alleges Gonzalez did by acts or words place the complainant in fear that death would imminently be inflicted on her and/or her family. 
• Aggravated kidnapping: The indictment alleges that on Nov. 28, 2021, Gonzalez intentionally and knowingly abducted another person, namely: Stitch Cruz – a pseudonym, by using and threatening to use deadly force by secreting and holding her in a place where she was not likely to be found with intent to terrorize her; and during the commission of the offense did use and exhibit a firearm with intent to facilitate the commission of a felony, to-wit: sexual assault. 

The Family Violence Division is prosecuting both cases in the 144th District Court. These offenses are first degree felonies punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Ernest Rodriguez is charged with intoxication manslaughter. The indictment alleges that on Nov. 30, 2021, Rodriguez operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, and did by reason of such intoxication cause the death of Jasmine Casiano by accident or mistake by Rodriguez driving the motor vehicle containing Casiano into a tree. It also alleges Rodriguez recklessly caused the death of Casiano by Rodriguez failing to take the necessary and proper evasive action to avoid driving the motor vehicle containing Casiano into a tree by Rodriguez failing to maintain a single lane of traffic and/or by driving the motor vehicle at a speed that was not reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing and/or by failing to apply the brakes in a timely manner. The Criminal Trial Division is prosecuting this case in the 226^th District Court. Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Isaac Chavez is charged with possession of a firearm on school premises. The indictment alleges that on Jan. 18, 2022, Chavez intentionally and knowingly possessed a firearm on the physical premises of John Jay High School and that Chavez’s conduct was not pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the school. The Criminal Trial Division is prosecuting this case in the 187^th District Court. Possession of a firearm on school premises is a third degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. A person charged by indictment is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury or a judge. Because these and potentially other cases are either pending or may be under investigation, we can make no further comment on them.

Copies of indictments may be requested from the Bexar County District Clerk. Information on court settings can be found by searching the case online or directly from the court.