A Houston man was sentenced Wednesday to 40 years in prison for murder in the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in 2022, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“Our hearts go out to the family because there is absolutely no reason that a little boy should lose his life by just stepping outside of his home,” Ogg said. “All gun violence is awful and pointless, but when someone so young and innocent is killed, it really shows that a bullet does not care.”

Daveyonne Howard, 22, pleaded guilty to murder for shooting 11-year-old Darius “DJ” Dugas at the boy’s apartment complex in northeast Harris County about 7 p.m. during a winter storm on Feb. 3, 2022.

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A Houston mother was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison for her role in the death of her 8-year-old son in 2020, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“We expect parents to protect their children, not hurt them, because children really are our most vulnerable victims,” Ogg said. “This case shocks the conscience not just because a child lost his life, but because of his parents’ complete and total disregard for human life.”

Gloria Yvette Williams, 38, pleaded guilty earlier to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony, in the death of son Kendrick Lee at the family’s west Houston apartment.

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A documented member of the Black Disciples, a nationally recognized street gang, was sentenced Monday to 55 years in prison for murder, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“This was a brazen ambush in broad daylight by a gang member who thought he could get away with murder,” Ogg said. “We’re thankful that a Harris County jury was able to see the truth and handed down justice for the victim’s family.”

Brodrick Jaamel Sayles, 37, was convicted of murder by a Harris County jury for shooting an acquaintance, 28-year-old Demetrius Daniels, as the victim sat in his car in a parking lot in the 9700 block of Beechnut about 10 a.m. Nov. 5, 2020.

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A repeat offender from Seabrook was handed two 75-year prison sentences on Thursday for shooting at two Houston police officers, permanently disabling one, during a traffic stop in 2022, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“This defendant opened fire on two police officers during a midday traffic stop,” Ogg said. “He has repeatedly shown that he cannot be trusted and that our community will be safer if he is behind bars — hopefully for the rest of his life.”

Jimmy Caston Bryan, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant for shooting at the two officers who pulled him over near 14300 Gulf Freeway about 11:20 a.m. on May 4, 2022.

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A Houston woman was sentenced to 43 years in prison late Thursday for killing a Harris County sheriff’s deputy while driving drunk in 2022, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“This was not an accident. Driving drunk is not an accident, and killing someone while driving drunk is a predictable consequence; therefore, it could have been prevented,” Ogg said. “Ramon Gutierrez could be alive today and with his family if she had made a different choice.”

Lavillia Chantael Spry, 42, was convicted by a jury in a seven-day trial of intoxication manslaughter of a peace office for driving drunk and killing sheriff’s Sgt. Ramon Gutierrez on Jan. 24, 2022.

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A Houston man pleaded guilty Wednesday to four felonies, including a 2008 murder and selling drugs in the Harris County Jail, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison for each crime, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“We’ve got a message for everyone who thinks they’ve gotten away with murder: We don’t forget,” Ogg said. “And for everyone involved with bringing contraband in the jail, we’re watching.”

Longtime repeat offender Joshua Sinclair Owens, 35, pleaded guilty to murder for the strangulation death of 48-year-old Marsha Lynn Mitchell on June 10, 2008.

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A Pasadena man was given two life sentences Tuesday after pleading guilty to beating and fatally stabbing his pregnant wife just 17 hours after being released from jail for an earlier assault on her, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.         

“He is clearly a danger to everyone around him and this case, maybe more than any other case in the criminal courthouse, highlights the dangers and the red flags of domestic violence,” Ogg said. “He tortured and killed an animal, there were prior beatings, then a severe beating before he was released on bond to murder the victim as brutally as possible.”

Alex Daniel Guajardo, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder for stabbing Caitlynne Rose Infinger Guajardo and their unborn son at their Pasadena home on Aug. 3, 2019.

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A 62-year-old man from Humble was sentenced late Thursday to life in prison without parole for killing his girlfriend’s teenage daughter while attempting to rape her, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“This defendant was a predator with a gun, and his choice to hurt a young girl and take her life was senseless and horrific,” Ogg said. “He not only took a promising young woman’s life, his actions have destroyed a family.”

Van Henry Brisbon was convicted of capital murder by a Harris County jury for killing 16-year-old Lauren Juma at their home in Humble just after 1 a.m. on April 29, 2022.

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A Houston man was sentenced Thursday to life in prison after being convicted of murder for fatally stabbing a mother of five in 2009, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“This was a horrific crime when it happened, and no one in law enforcement ever stopped looking for the killer,” Ogg said. “Even after the case went cold, investigators kept working on it and when charges were filed, prosecutors were able to get justice for the victim and her family.”

Jorge Trevino Cardenas, 52, was already in prison after being convicted of sexual assault of a child. He was arrested for that crime in 2014, and a sample of his DNA was collected put on file.

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