Waller County Criminal District Attorney's Office

07/09/2026

WALLER COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MEDIA RELEASE

RONALD BRANDYBURG SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

On July 9, 2026, Ronald Brandyburg was sentenced to life in prison by 506th Judicial District Court Judge Gary W. Chaney. Judge Chaney sentenced Brandyburg to life in prison after hearing evidence and arguments of Assistant Criminal District Attorney John Brennan and Criminal Division Chief Richard Magness, as well as Brandyburg’s attorneys.
Brandyburg had previously been convicted by a Waller County jury on April 18, 2026, after four days of evidence, the jury returned with a guilty verdict after 24 minutes of deliberation.
Brandyburg was convicted of the 2020 murder of January 14, 2020 murder of Brookshire resident Clifford Richard.
Brandyburg was convicted of killing Richard using a box cutter to cut Richard's neck. The jury heard from three eyewitnesses to the murder, a paramedic who treated and transported Mr. Richard, a medical examiner from Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, a former Brookshire Police Department officer, Texas Ranger Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Michael Arambula. Defense seeking to offer mental health evidence which was ultimately deemed irrelevant to the murder as it did not affect the Defendant's ability to know right from wrong.
During closing arguments at the jury trial, then Assistant Criminal District Attorney Darian Etienne stated that the Defendant's flat affect while he killed Richard was not a sign Brandyburg wasn't aware of what he was doing as defense argued, but rather an indication of his dangerousness when after cutting Richard the first time, came back and said, "you ain't dead yet?" Brandyburg then cut Mr. Richard's neck a second time. Richard died enroute to the ER.
At the jury trial The State of Texas was represented by then Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Darian Etienne and Bennett Dodson. Both of whom have since become judges. This was ACDA Brennan’s first case since joining the Waller County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
The Criminal District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Brookshire Police Department, Waller County EMS, Waller County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers for their dedication to this investigation and these victims.
Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore said, “The road to justice is sometimes long, but my office will continue to fight for victims of senseless violence. Waller County Criminal District Attorney's Office is here to seek justice, and we will seek it no matter how long it takes. There is no mitigating what Ronald Brandyburg did, there is nothing that can bring Clifford Richard back, Life in Prison was the only acceptable sentence.”
Sean G. Whittmore
Waller County Criminal District Attorney

WALLER COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MEDIA RELEASE
Ronald Brandyburg Convicted by Jury of Murder

On Friday, April 17, 2026, a Waller County jury reached a verdict on a jury trial held in the 506th District Court with Judge Gary Chaney presiding. After four days of evidence, the jury returned with a guilty verdict after 24 minutes of deliberation.
Brandyburg was convicted of the 2020 murder of January 14, 2020 murder of Brookshire resident Clifford Richard.
Brandyburg was convicted of killing Richard using a box cutter to cut Richard's neck. The jury heard from three eyewitnesses to the murder, a paramedic who treated and transported Mr. Richard, a medical examiner from Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, a former Brookshire Police Department officer, Texas Ranger Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Michael Arambula. Defense was seeking to offer mental health evidence which was ultimately deemed irrelevant to the murder as it did not affect the Defendant's ability to know right from wrong.
During closing arguments, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Darian Etienne stated that the Defendant's flat affect while he killed Richard was not a sign of he wasn't aware of what he was doing as defense argued, but rather an indication of his dangerousness when after cutting Richard the first time, came back and said, "you ain't dead yet?" Brandyburg then cut Mr. Richard's neck a second time. Richard died enroute to the ER.
The State of Texas was represented by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Darian Etienne and Bennett Dodson.
Punishment will be determined at a subsequent hearing before Judge Gary Chaney at a later date to bexset following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.
The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Brookshire Police Department, Waller County EMS, Waller County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers for their dedication to this investigation and these victims.
Assistant Criminal District Attorney Bennett Dodson said, "This was a brutal, public killing witnessed by multiple people. We prosecuted it with that in mind. We are grateful to all the members of the community who came and testified to bring justice for Clifford Richard. Anyone contemplating a heinous act like this should know that Waller County will not let it go unpunished."
Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore said, “The road to justice is sometimes long, but my office will continue to fight for victims of senseless violence. Waller County Criminal District Attorney's Office is here to seek justice, and we will seek it no matter how long it takes.”
Sean G. Whittmore
Waller County Criminal District Attorney

04/18/2026

WALLER COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MEDIA RELEASE
Ronald Brandyburg Convicted by Jury of Murder

On Friday, April 17, 2026, a Waller County jury reached a verdict on a jury trial held in the 506th District Court with Judge Gary Chaney presiding. After four days of evidence, the jury returned with a guilty verdict after 24 minutes of deliberation.
Brandyburg was convicted of the 2020 murder of January 14, 2020 murder of Brookshire resident Clifford Richard.
Brandyburg was convicted of killing Richard using a box cutter to cut Richard's neck. The jury heard from three eyewitnesses to the murder, a paramedic who treated and transported Mr. Richard, a medical examiner from Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, a former Brookshire Police Department officer, Texas Ranger Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Michael Arambula. Defense was seeking to offer mental health evidence which was ultimately deemed irrelevant to the murder as it did not affect the Defendant's ability to know right from wrong.
During closing arguments, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Darian Etienne stated that the Defendant's flat affect while he killed Richard was not a sign of he wasn't aware of what he was doing as defense argued, but rather an indication of his dangerousness when after cutting Richard the first time, came back and said, "you ain't dead yet?" Brandyburg then cut Mr. Richard's neck a second time. Richard died enroute to the ER.
The State of Texas was represented by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Darian Etienne and Bennett Dodson.
Punishment will be determined at a subsequent hearing before Judge Gary Chaney at a later date to bexset following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.
The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Brookshire Police Department, Waller County EMS, Waller County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers for their dedication to this investigation and these victims.
Assistant Criminal District Attorney Bennett Dodson said, "This was a brutal, public killing witnessed by multiple people. We prosecuted it with that in mind. We are grateful to all the members of the community who came and testified to bring justice for Clifford Richard. Anyone contemplating a heinous act like this should know that Waller County will not let it go unpunished."
Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore said, “The road to justice is sometimes long, but my office will continue to fight for victims of senseless violence. Waller County Criminal District Attorney's Office is here to seek justice, and we will seek it no matter how long it takes.”
Sean G. Whittmore
Waller County Criminal District Attorney

04/10/2026

WALLER COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MEDIA RELEASE

Defendant Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Theft and Financial Abuse of the Elderly.

On Thursday, April 10, 2026, a sentencing hearing was held in the 506th District Court with Judge Gary Chaney presiding, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence for Carlos Alberto Correa following his guilty plea to charges of Theft of Property between $30,000 and $150,000 and Financial Abuse of the Elderly between $30,000 and $150,000. Correa entered his plea on December 1, 2025, without an agreed recommendation, and the case was set for a presentence investigation and sentencing.

During the sentencing hearing, the Court heard testimony from Waller County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau Lieutenant John Borowski, the lead investigator, as well as two victims impacted by Correa’s actions. Testimony established that Correa orchestrated a scheme that defrauded four Waller County families of a combined total of $228,248.66.

Among the victims, the Court heard from one family who contracted Correa to build their dream home. Despite paying in full for specific construction components, including concrete work, the family later discovered a lien placed on their property after Correa failed to pay subcontractors. Construction delays left the home incomplete and susceptible to mold, and Correa ultimately ceased all communication with the family.

Another victim testified that Correa persuaded her to enter into a construction business venture in which she served as the financial backer. She provided funding for at least four projects—only one of which was substantially completed, for which Correa was paid by the individual who sought the work. Two projects were left unfinished, and one was determined to be entirely fraudulent. Correa paid back very little of what was provided for these jobs. Additionally, he also used a company credit card for an unauthorized trip to Las Vegas and obtained additional money under false pretenses, claiming it was for expenses such as child support and vehicle payments, though the funds were not used for those purposes.

During closing arguments, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Darian Etienne emphasized that Correa has had five years to make restitution, has made no effort to do so, and there is no evidence that had been put forth to believe that he would do so now. The State requested the maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.

After considering all evidence and arguments, Judge Chaney sentenced Correa to 10 years in prison on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The State of Texas was represented by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Darian Etienne and Bennett Dodson.

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Lieutenant John Borowski of the Waller County Sheriff’s Office and the Hempstead Police Department for their dedication to this investigation and these victims.

Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore said “Unscrupulous contractors and tradesman don’t just hurt the families they defraud but the honest tradesman who do the job right. Waller County will continue to push for harsh sentences on thieves who prey on hard working families just trying to improve their lives and chase their dreams.”

Sean G. Whittmore
Waller County Criminal District Attorney