Shaffer Funeral Home Thief Sentenced to 7 Years

SAN ANGELO- A Grape Creek man has been sentenced for theft of property, manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, Lonnie Ray Wooten has been sentenced to 7 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Wooten was found guilty of theft for stealing heavy machinery and equipment from a local funeral home, possession of a controlled substance, and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

Documents say that on August 6, 2020, investigators went to 40 East 10th Street to arrest Wooten who had three active felony warrants. Once on scene, deputies located Lonnie standing in the backyard of the residence.

Wooten was handcuffed and a search was conducted of Wooten’s person. A small black container with a plastic baggie was found with a white crystal substance inside. Wooten claimed a “Mario” gave it to him so he could make some money. The substance was field tested, and it came back positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

Also, Wooten was found guilty on possession of a controlled substance. According to court documents, on September 29, 2021, an investigator was dispatched to the 5800 block of Grape Creek Road regarding a suspicious vehicle. The investigator made contact with the subject, identified as Wooten, who gave him permission to search the vehicle.

Investigators found 2 plastic bags with a white crystal substance inside that field tested positive for methamphetamine

Two theft of property cases and a criminal mischief case where he was accused of stealing services were dropped for a guilty plea.

The three cases Wooten pled guilty too will run concurrently.

In January 2021, Wooten was arrested in connection to car theft operation as he was the owner of the land where the vehicles were found.