Comal District Attorney Announces Felony Convictions for June, July

Comal County District Attorney (DA) Jennifer Tharp says her office disposed 597 convictions in district courts in June and July. Some 181 of those were felony convictions.

The DA’s office used “enhancements” to lengthen the prison sentences of some of the repeat offenders.

According to a statement issued by the DA’s office Thursday, those convicted include:

• Michael Rodriguez, 39, of Spring Branch, who was previously found guilty of aggravated robbery by a Comal County jury. He asked the court to assess his punishment. On June 1, Judge Stephanie Bascon sentenced Rodriguez to 35 years in prison. During the trial, the jury was presented with evidence that Rodriguez stabbed an elderly victim with a sword four times. This case was investigated by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and prosecuted by assistant district attorneys (ADA) Daniel Floyd and Lauren Cole.

• Laura Turner, 35, of Live Oak, pled guilty to injury to a child and was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Bascon. Turner plied a child under the age of 14 with alcohol and drugs. The child became violently ill. Turner left him outside in the cold. The child was rushed to the hospital, fell into a coma, and is still traumatized. ADA Cole prosecuted this case.

• Patrick Tarkington, 48, of New Braunfels, pled guilty to continuous violation of a protective order and was sentenced by Judge Dan Mills to eight years in prison. Tarkington’s offense level was enhanced to a second-degree felony due to a previous burglary of habitation conviction in Guadalupe County. ADA Cole prosecuted the case.

• Bryan Riepl, 35, of Katy was found guilty by a Comal County jury for driving while intoxicated. He had two or more previous convictions for the same type of offense and asked the court to assess his punishment. On July 27 a punishment hearing was held in front of Judge Bascon. Riepl’s case was enhanced to a second-degree felony due to a prior prison stint for sexual assault of a child out of Harris County, where he was sentenced to three years in prison. Riepl was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum sentence. ADA Floyd prosecuted and presented evidence that while awaiting sentencing Riepl committed over 100 interlock violations, including having others blow into the device to start the vehicle and making other attempts to bypass the system.

• Mark Rodriguez, 49, of New Braunfels, pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance PG 1 > 4 G < 200g (Methamphetamine), and was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Judge Bascon. His charges were enhanced due to a prior criminal history including sexual assault and sex offender duty to register out of Fort Bend County. ADA Sammy McCrary prosecuted the case.

• Michael Chaney, 39, of Midland, pled guilty to forgery and possession of a controlled substance PG 1 < 1G and was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Jack Robison.  Tharp prosecuted the case.

• Theresa Lawless, 47, of Canyon Lake, pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance PG 1 > 4G < 200 G (Methamphetamine). Due to her extensive criminal history, Lawless was enhanced to a habitual offender and was sentenced to 24 years in prison by Judge Bruce Boyer. ADA McCrary prosecuted the case.

• Thomas Pfeiffer, 37, of Spring Branch, pled guilty to aggravated assault against a public servant and was sentenced to eight years in prison by Judge Bascon. DA Tharp prosecuted the case.

• Carlos Parra, 27, of San Antonio, pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance PG 1 > 1G < 4G (Methamphetamine) and was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Dib Waldrip. ADA McCrary prosecuted the case.

• John Crocker, 35, of New Braunfels, pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance PG 1 < 1G and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. Crocker’s charges were enhanced due to his criminal history including arson of a vehicle. Crocker was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Judge Robison. ADA Floyd prosecuted this case.