No Longer Silent: One Woman’s Bravery Leads to 13-Year Prison Term for Abuser

SAN ANGELO, TX – Today, at the Tom Green County Courthouse, Judge Ben Woodward sentenced 33-year-old Quintin McCleery to 13 years in the penitentiary for heinous acts of Assault Family Violence/Choking, a third degree felony. A Concho County jury initially found the defendant guilty of Choking a Family or Household Member on Jan. 31, 2016.

This sentence exceeds the standard for a third degree felony of 2-10 years confinement and up to a $10,000 fine. 

A Story of Violent Abuse

On March 26, 2016, the victim of this crime married McCleery, and the couple lived in a travel trailer in Melvin, Texas. However, the victim didn’t live the life of a happy newlywed. Instead, she was stuck in a daily nightmare of abuse and violence—abuse and violence that began before the marriage took place.

On February 3, 2016, Chief Deputy Brent Frazier with the Concho County Sheriff’s Office assisted the victim by transporting her from her residence outside of Eden to her vehicle located at the Sheriff’s Office. When Frazier made contact with the resident, he inquired about bruising and swelling he observed on her chin.

According to an official statement from District Attorney John Best’s office, “At first, the resident stated that the injuries were the result of being kicked by a sheep. However, during the ride into town, she disclosed that she had been beaten by her boyfriend Quintin McCleery. Although Deputy Frazier took photos of the injuries, the resident/victim would not give a statement and did not want to pursue charges.” 

The victim then married McCleery the following month.

On June 20, 2016, the victim told a friend giving her a ride home that her husband had beat her multiple times since February, and that she was “terrified to return home.”

“The friend encouraged the victim to report the abuse, which she did that night,” said the statement.

According to the victim’s statement and testimony, in early May 2016, McCleery became enraged at her, grabbed her from behind and placed her in a choke hold with his arm until she passed out. 

“When the victim came to, she began vomiting,” the statement read. “When she exclaimed, ‘You could have killed me,’ the defendant told the victim that he knew what he was doing, and that if he wanted to kill her, he could have.”

McCleery also told the victim that if she tried to leave, or if she told anyone about the abuse, he would “feed her alive to his hogs.”

The victim also said that McCleery threatened to kill anyone who tried to help.

“During the trial, the victim testified about several additional assaults in which McCleery beat and choked her,” said the statement.

Comment From 119th District Attorney John Best

District Attorney John Best and Assistant D.A. Jason Ferguson prosecuted this case, and Ben Clayton defended McCleery during the trial on Jan. 30 and 31.

In response to the outcome of the trial and sentence, D.A. Best had this to say:

“Domestic violence isn’t a crime that happens in front of a camera or in front of witnesses. It happens behind closed doors and away from discerning eyes. It happens and continues through secrecy, manipulation, intimidation, as well as psychological and emotional abuse. 

It’s difficult for many people, who have not been caught up in this kind of abusive relationship, to understand how anyone could choose to stay. But too many do stay—terrified to say or do anything for fear of retaliation to themselves, their family, or their friends. 

The victim in this case was brave enough to finally come forward and tell the truth about what McCleery had been doing to her. A jury of his peers heard the evidence and found McCleery guilty.

Hopefully, other victims of domestic violence will hear about this case and this verdict, and understand that there is help available. Likewise, abusers should take notice that our office and our citizens won’t turn a blind eye to domestic violence.”