Harris County District Attorney's Office

Harris County District Attorney's Office The official Facebook account for the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

For official communications, information, or assistance, visit https://dao.harriscountytx.gov Our social media accounts were created to share information about public safety and our office with the general public. If you have an emergency or need immediate assistance, please contact your local law enforcement agency and do not report a crime on this social media forum. If you have a question, comment, or tip regarding a legal case, please email: [email protected]

Our office reserves the right to remove comments that are not related to the post, use threatening or profane language or content, promote sexual content or link to sexual conduct, solicit commerce, conduct or encourage illegal activity, or information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems. All content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation will be removed at our office’ discretion and without prior notice. Activity on this account is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.

Justice for a Houston Survivor.On October 18, 2021, a Houston woman had a workout session in a public park with Duwane S...
09/11/2026

Justice for a Houston Survivor.

On October 18, 2021, a Houston woman had a workout session in a public park with Duwane Shackelford, her personal trainer of 3 years. As she was attempting to end their trainer/trainee relationship, he attacked her.

A jury has now found Shackelford guilty of S*xual Assault. He received a sentence of life in prison.

We are grateful for the survivor’s perseverance and bravery to bring Shackelford to justice.

Prosecutors:
Jay Gordon, HCDAO Felony Chief, Adult S*x Crimes
Lisa Calligan, HCDAO Division Chief, Adult S*x Crimes

Justice for Craig JeffersonJoshua Toliver has been found guilty of Murder.Toliver shot Houston father Craig Jefferson to...
09/09/2026

Justice for Craig Jefferson

Joshua Toliver has been found guilty of Murder.

Toliver shot Houston father Craig Jefferson to death in a small grocery store in Third Ward on January 9, 2023. Another man was also shot during the murder, but he survived.

The judge has now sentenced Toliver to 40 years in prison.

Prosecutors:
Jacob Salinas, HCDAO Chief, Felony Trial Bureau
Anthony Esparza, HCDAO Assistant District Attorney

Justice for Erica Epps The Houston mother of two children was shot to death by her estranged husband, Jimmy Earl Thomas....
09/09/2026

Justice for Erica Epps

The Houston mother of two children was shot to death by her estranged husband, Jimmy Earl Thomas. A jury has now found Thomas guilty of Capital Murder.

On August 30, 2024, Erica Epps called 911 after Thomas showed up at her home and began aggressively knocking on the front door. He then went to the backyard, broke a window, and kicked in the back door.

Erica was on a second call to 911 when Thomas forced his way inside, found Erica and her friend, and opened fire. After Erica and her friend fell to the floor, Thomas shot Erica again. Her friend was not injured. Officers arrived within minutes, but Erica’s injuries were not survivable.

Thomas has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors:
Lisa Stewart, HCDAO Domestic Violence Division Chief
Alycia Harvey, HCDAO Major Offenders Division Chief

Justice for Calogero Duenes A jury has found Antoine Badon guilty of Murder for the 2021 New Year’s Eve shooting death o...
09/08/2026

Justice for Calogero Duenes

A jury has found Antoine Badon guilty of Murder for the 2021 New Year’s Eve shooting death of Calogero Duenes, a young, dedicated Houston father.

On December 31, 2021, 24-year-old Duenes was shot to death in a pizzeria parking lot, as he carried his 6-year-old daughter’s birthday cake into Chuck E. Cheese in Humble on FM 1960. His family was waiting inside to celebrate. A mother and her 13-year-old daughter identified the defendant in a photo array after witnessing the shooting.

Prosecutors presented strong evidence at trial to get justice for the young father, who leaves behind two young daughters.

Badon was sentenced to life in prison on August 11, 2026.

Prosecutors:
Rachel Barlow/HCDAO Mental Health Division
Twyanette Wallace/HCDAO Felony Chief, Mental Health Division

Justice for Houston Survivors Sean Eckman has been found guilty of Continuous S*xual Abuse of a Child. During the trial,...
08/28/2026

Justice for Houston Survivors

Sean Eckman has been found guilty of Continuous S*xual Abuse of a Child. During the trial, prosecutors presented poignant evidence to jurors, explaining how Eckman spent almost a decade grooming, preying upon, and abusing this child. The jurors also heard evidence of two additional victims who were sexually abused by the former English teacher when they were teenagers, nearly twenty years ago.

The victims bravely designed these Handprints for Healing paintings, turning their pain into power.

Eckman is now sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors:
Radarius Morrow, HCDAO Crimes Against Children
Traemon Anderson, HCDAO Crimes Against Children

Justice for Two Houston MenA jury has found Polie Phan guilty of Capital Murder. Prosecutors presented evidence showing ...
08/25/2026

Justice for Two Houston Men

A jury has found Polie Phan guilty of Capital Murder. Prosecutors presented evidence showing James Martin was lured into a garage, where he was robbed and killed. Phan stole Martin’s car and used it to break into Martin’s home. While burglarizing the residence, Martin’s roommate, Dana Ryssdal, arrived home. Ryssdal was shot several times and killed.

Phan was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His co-defendants are awaiting trial.

Prosecutors:
Samantha Knecht - HCDAO Organized Crime Division Chief
Garrett Moore - HCDAO Felony Chief, Major Narcotics

Justice for a 6‑month‑old baby.Anthony Fields has been convicted of Murder for the April 29, 2021, killing of an infant....
08/24/2026

Justice for a 6‑month‑old baby.

Anthony Fields has been convicted of Murder for the April 29, 2021, killing of an infant. Prosecutors presented powerful medical and forensic evidence showing the child’s fatal injuries were intentionally inflicted at the hands of the defendant.

Fields has been sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors:
Jayelle Lozoya - HCDAO Felony Chief, Crimes Against Children
Danielle Oxford - HCDAO Felony Chief, Crimes Against Children

Justice for two Houston childrenManuel Martinez Jr. has been found guilty of Super Aggravated S*xual Assault of a Child....
08/20/2026

Justice for two Houston children

Manuel Martinez Jr. has been found guilty of Super Aggravated S*xual Assault of a Child.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing how Martinez repeatedly victimized two children, ages 5 and 6, in 2024. After their initial outcries, both courageous children were able to provide investigators with critical details of the abuse they endured.

Our office is filled with Handprints for Healing canvases created by children who have survived abuse. The painting pictured here is the work of one of these brave survivors.

Martinez has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors:
Mikeala Morris/HCDAO Crimes Against Children
Nidia Ventura/HCDAO Crimes Against Children

08/19/2026

A jury has found Erik Arceneaux guilty of murder for the July 2018 death of Maria Rodriguez – despite the fact that Maria’s remains have never been found. Maria and Arceneaux met at the gym where he worked as a personal trainer and dated for only a few months.

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare prosecuted the case himself, alongside HCDAO Chief of Staff Lauren Byrne. The top prosecutors presented compelling evidence, including Arceneaux’s purchase of a chainsaw and trash bags on the day Maria disappeared. They also showed jurors digital cell phone data and various surveillance videos tracking Arceneaux’s movements. In the sentencing phase of trial, they called a survivor to the stand who suffered an attack that may have paralleled what happened to Maria. Arceneaux’s former girlfriend testified that she broke up with him in 2010 and moved into an undisclosed apartment. However, he found, attacked, and kidnapped her at gunpoint.

Arceneaux was sent to prison for 5 years for that aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Erik Arceneaux is now sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Maria Rodriguez.

Another Pride Parade is in the books, Harris County!Thank you to everyone who came out, celebrated, and showed their sup...
08/16/2026

Another Pride Parade is in the books, Harris County!

Thank you to everyone who came out, celebrated, and showed their support, and to the HCDAO volunteers who helped make it happen. Pride is about standing up for equality, lifting up our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and showing up as allies.

Together, we make Harris County vibrant. Together, we make Harris County proud.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Address

Criminal Justice Center 1201 Franklin Street
Houston, TX
77002

Telephone

+17132745800

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