Denton County Criminal District Attorney's Office

03/13/2026

Today a Denton County jury sentenced Jose Diaz-Arbaiza to LIFE in prison for Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child and 20 years in prison for Indecency with a Child (the maximum) after finding him guilty of those offenses. ADAs Kari Gannam and Rachel Hodges presented the State’s case, aided by DA Inv. Scott Haney and Director of Victim Services Veronica Brunner, following an investigation by the Carrollton Police Department. Judge Michael Dickens of the 477th Judicial District Court presided over the trial and “stacked” the sentences. This means that even if Diaz-Arbaiza someday makes parole on his life sentence, he will then begin to serve his 20 years sentence without credit for the years he’d already served.

03/04/2026

Today a Denton County jury sentenced Fabian Aguilar Munos to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. ADAs Kari Gannam and Alexa Galindo presented the State’s case, aided by DA Inv. Andi Fletcher and Director of Victim Services Veronica Brunner, following an investigation by the Southlake Police Department. Judge Brent Hill of the 367th Judicial District Court presided over the trial and pronounced the sentence.

10/31/2025

LIFE SENTENCES: This week a Denton County jury found Patrick Lawler guilty of multiple counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Sexual Performance by a Child and sentenced him to LIFE in prison. The jury also handed down the maximum 20 years in a related Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child case. Justice Lee Gabriel presided and pronounced the sentences. ADAs Lauren Marshall and Kari Gannam presented the State's case, aided by Inv. Andi Fletcher and Director of Victim Services Veronica Brunner, following an investigation by The Colony Police Department.

10/27/2025

Today District Attorney Paul Johnson was honored to join other dignitaries and public officials in breaking ground for Denton County Friends of the Family’s new Family Justice Center in Denton. Mr. Johnson and the entire DA’s Office are proud to partner with DCFOF as we seek justice and healing for victims of domestic violence.

10/24/2025

Last week, a Denton County jury sentenced Ronald White to LIFE in prison without parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child. ADAs Ali Horton and Rachel Hodges presented the State's case, assisted by Victim Liaison Amber Dunn and Investigator Greg Stern. The Lewisville Police Department investigated the case, and multiple professionals from the Children's Advocacy Center for North Texas were involved throughout the investigation and prosecution.

10/24/2025

BREAKING: Today a Denton County jury sentenced Siang Thang to LIFE in prison for Murder. ADAs Karen Anders and Michelle Lowery presented the State's case, assisted by Inv. Rick Duggan and Victim Liaison Amber Dunn, following an investigation by the Lewisville Police Department.

10/24/2025

Proud of our police officers, prosecutors, and Denton County juries!

A Denton County jury handed a life sentence without parole to a Lewisville man on trial for child sexual abuse. He has also been indicted in other child sexual abuse

10/24/2025

LIFE SENTENCE: This week a Denton County jury found Cordarrell Coleman guilty of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child, and sentenced him to LIFE and 20 years in prison respectively. Judge Brent Hill "stacked" the sentences, so they must be served consecutively. ADAs Lauren Marshall and Kari Gannam presented the State's case, assisted by Inv. Andi Fletcher and Director of Victim Services Veronica Brunner, following an investigation by the Lewisville Police Department.

10/09/2025

Today a Denton County jury sentenced Christian Carmona to a total of 24 years in the penitentiary--12 years each on two charges of Indecency with a Child, which Judge Steve Burgess "stacked" to be served consecutively. ADAs Jesse Eyer and Barrett Doran presented the State's case, assisted by DA Inv. Heather Styne and Victim Liaison Amber Dunn, following an investigation by the Little Elm Police Department.

06/26/2025

BREAKING - This afternoon a Denton County jury found Samuel Melkamu guilty of Capital Murder, which carries an automatic sentence of LIFE in prison without the possibility of parole. ADAs Michelle Dobson and Dustin Gossage presented the State's case, aided by Investigator Paul Nathan and Director of Victim Services Veronica Brunner, following an investigation by the Lewisville Police Department.

02/03/2025

On Friday a Denton County Jury sentenced Russell Finkelberg to 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. ADAs Rachel Nichols and Jesse Davis presented the State's case, aided by DA Investigator Richard Duggin, following an investigation by the Carrollton Police Department.

01/17/2025

This week a Denton County jury sentenced Jose Turcios-Caballero to MAXIMUM sentences of 99, 20, and 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Indecency with a Child, and Injury to a Child. Judge Brent Hill ordered the defendant to serve the 99 and 20 year sentences consecutively. ADAs Lauren Marshall and Alexa Galindo presented the State's case, aided by DA Inv. Andi Fletcher and Victim Liaison Veronica Brunner, after an investigation by Det. Michael Owen of the Lewisville PD.