Zapata Found Guilty On All Four Charges

SAN ANGELO, TX – After seven long hours of deliberation, the jury in Ray Zapata's week-long trial, found Zapata guilty of two charges of forgery, one charge of theft and one charge of money laundering. Jurors heard closing arguments from both state prosecutors John White and Shane Attaway and from defense attorney Mark Snodgrass earlier this morning. Then, at 1:20 p.m. this afternoon, Jurors retired to deliberate.

Jurors opted to “power through dinner” in order to finish their deliberation tonight and deliver their unanimous verdict. The punishment phase will commence tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. where both the state and the defense will have the opportunity to persuade the jury in regards to an appropriate punishment for Zapata.

Zapata will remain out on bond until the jury decides his punishment. Further details regarding the proceedings that went on in the courtroom this afternoon will be available shortly. 

Update 11 p.m.

Zapata was convicted on two counts of Forgery of a Financial Instrument, a state jail felony; one count of money laundering greater or equal to $20,000 but less than $100,000; and one count theft of property greater than or equal to $200,000. 

The conviction for theft of property is a first degree felony, punishable with five to 99 years in prison.

Money laundering is a third degree felony punishable with three to 10 years in prison.

Each of the counts of forgery are state jail felonies, each with a punishment of 180 days to two years.

The jury will decide Zapata's sentence Wednesday.