Man Arrested for 28th Time Faces Drug and Assault Charges

Early this morning, jury selection began for the State of Texas versus Eric Severo Escobedo case. At around 3:00 p.m., 12 jurors were selected to determine Escobedo's guilt or innocence on two different offenses. Including these two offenses, Escobedo, 32, has been arrested 28 times in Tom Green County.

During this trial, Escobedo faces an undecided felony charge as well as a second degree felony charge. Escobedo’s undecided felony charge consists of the defendant intentionally and knowingly possessing, with the intent to deliver, a controlled substance, Methamphetamine, in an amount by aggregate weight, including adulterants and dilutents of more than 400 grams.

The defendant's second degree felony charge is due to intentionally, knowingly and recklessly causing bodily injury to a female victim. According to court documents, he struck her in the face and body with a handgun, causing injury.

To begin the trial, five males and seven females took their seats in the jury section. No alternates were chosen for this case.

Judge Barbara Walther began the trial by introducing District Attorney Allison Palmer and the defendant’s attorney, Jimmy Stewart.

Palmer and Stewart both gave their opening statements. Palmer told the jury, “At this point, you will begin to hear facts.

Stewart stressed that two people with the last name of Escobedo will be mentioned in this case. According to the defense, John Escobedo owns the home where the Tom Green County Sheriff's deputies apprehended the defendant, and found and seized drugs.

On September 18, 2015, a search warrant was issued for a residence located at 421 E. 24^th St.

“The evidence will show that the residence is John Escobedo's,” Stewart stated.

Today, Palmer called upon two witnesses. The first witness was Aaron Sachs, an expert Forensic Scientist from the Texas DPS Laboratories, who explained his process of testing the narcotics found at Escobedo's residence.

The second witness was Andrew Alwine, Sergeant Investigator for the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office. Palmer asked Alwine to recall the actions that took place on the day of September 18. Alwine told the court that he drafted the search warrant the evening of the 18^th.

As officers waited for the search warrant, Alwine said several officers waited outside the residence in a surveillance of the premises. While officers did so, they saw Escobedo exit the residence, while two other males remained in the house. Escobedo and two females were later pulled over during a traffic stop and arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

During the execution of the warrant, Alwine said he approached the residence from the east side. He was positioned at the window while a tactical team attempted entry from the front.

To gain entry of the residence, officers had to breach a metal screen door as well as a wooden door with the dead bolt locked and the door knob locked. After breaking through the doors, the officers also found a couch had been put in front of the door as a blockade.

“Two males ran from where the doors were being breached. They then ran into the bedroom,” said Alwine.

Alwine noted that when he had entered through the bedroom window, the two males were on the ground as instructed. Afterward, officers began searching the residence.

They searched the bedroom where Alwine entered through, the living room and the kitchen area. 

“I searched underneath the bed. I found a semi-automatic gun and one ounce of methamphetamine,” Alwine said.

Alwine found items consistent with the manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance under the bed, and additional items were found in a padlocked closet. Officers had to use bolt cutters to access the closet. Inside the closet, officers found PVC pipes, small scales and methamphetamine in small baggies.

Overall, there were about 800 grams of methamphetamine found in the home. The street value in San Angelo is approximately $80,000, said Alwine.

As the explanation of the events took place, Escobedo sat next to his attorney and kept dozing off until Walther called a short break.

Tomorrow, Escobedo will be back in court to continue the discussion of the drug case, as well as the Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charge.