06/01/2017
YOUNG COUNTY DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO 99 YEARS
After a one day jury trial on May 8, 2017, a Young County jury found John Derreck Williams, 32 years of age, guilty of Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Four Grams or More But Less Than 200 Grams—Methamphetamine and sentenced him to a term of 99 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The trial was held in the 90th Judicial District Court with Judge Stephen E. Bristow presiding. Mr. Williams was represented at trial by Mineral Wells attorney, Mike Smiddy and the State was represented by the 90th Judicial District Attorney, Dee Peavy and Assistant District Attorney Phillip Gregory.
After entering a plea of Not Guilty to the indictment and opening statements by both sides, the State presented four witness to support its allegations during the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. These witnesses were Sgt. Chris Denney and Sgt. Richard Ferguson of the Graham Police Department, Sheriff Travis Babcock (formerly of the Graham Police Department) and Christina Coucke-Garza of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. Both Sgt. Denney and Sheriff Babcock detailed the early morning traffic stop involving Mr. Williams that resulted in his arrest and being charged with Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Four Grams or More But Less Than 200 Grams—Methamphetamine. According to their combined testimony, Mr. Williams not only had over four grams of Methamphetamine in his possession when he was arrested but he also had numerous other items, which taken together, established his intent to deliver that Methamphetamine to others.
Sgt. Ferguson testified as evidence custodian for the Graham Police Department and detailed the securing and storage of the items seized from the defendant, including the Methamphetamine for investigation and prosecution purposes. Lastly, Ms. Garza of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office testified about her forensic testing which led to the conclusion that the substance in Mr. Williams’ possession at the time of his arrest was indeed Methamphetamine which weighed over four (4) grams.
After the State rested, the defense did not call any witnesses and rested. At the conclusion of trial, Assistant District Attorney, Phillip Gregory, addressed the jury with closing arguments on behalf of the State and Mr. Smiddy presented the defense’s closing arguments. The jury then deliberated and returned a guilty verdict.
In the event of a conviction, Mr. Williams requested the jury assess punishment. Accordingly, a punishment trial was held shortly afterward. During its case-in-chief, the State presented punishment evidence through Mr. Steve Ritchie, Mr. Williams’ former community supervision officer who detailed Mr. Williams’ performance during a prior felony probation. Additionally, Officer Joshua Hufstedler and Sgt. Chris Post, both of the Graham Police Department, testified about their experiences with Mr. Williams leading to three other felony prosecutions opened subsequent to his arrest in 2015 for the charge which he was on trial for. The Defense presented no evidence.
During closing arguments for the Defense, Mike Smiddy argued passionately about the potential for change evident in Mr. Williams and stressed the need for a shorter prison sentence. In response, Phillip Gregory argued on behalf of the State and urged a severe sentence due to the fact that Mr. Williams’ conduct had metastasized into a cancer that was spreading throughout the community in the form of Mr. Williams’ choosing to deal Methamphetamine to others. After those arguments, the jury deliberated and returned with a 99 year sentence for Mr. Williams.
Phillip Gregory, Assistant District Attorney, expressed his deep appreciation for all law enforcement officers involved in the trial. He noted that this extraordinary result would not have been possible without the professionalism and commitment of Chris Denney, Richard Ferguson, Joshua Hufstedler and Chris Post of the Graham Police Department as well as that of Sheriff Travis Babcock.
