Brian Michael Cromeens, 24th Judicial District Attorney

08/05/2026

Today, Refugio County Attorney Simon McCloud III, and I had the opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz and visit with law enforcement leaders and public officials from across South Texas.

Criminal prosecution is about much more than what happens inside a courtroom. Strong relationships with our law enforcement partners and fellow public servants are essential to keeping our communities safe. Opportunities like this allow us to strengthen those partnerships, exchange ideas, and continue working together in service to the people of the 24th Judicial District.

07/23/2026

Today, Clifton Garley was sentenced by the Honorable Kemper Stephen Williams to 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after accepting a plea agreement for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Under Texas law, he must serve a minimum of 25 years before he is even eligible to be considered for parole.

This sentence brings a measure of justice in an incredibly tragic case, but today’s outcome belongs first and foremost to the victim. Through years of litigation, discovery, and pretrial proceedings, she refused to let this case fade away. Her courage, perseverance, and resilience carried this case through every obstacle. She is an inspiration, and we hope today’s sentence provides some measure of peace as she continues to heal.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated deputies and investigators of the Goliad County Sheriff's Office and to the outstanding professionals and volunteers at the Hope Child Advocacy Center. Their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to this victim were instrumental throughout this case.

This prosecution was led by First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Shawver-Savino, with invaluable assistance from Assistant District Attorney Brian Keeney, Investigator Joel Johnson, Paralegal Tess Perez and District Administrator and Victim Assistance Coordinator JoAnna Hadden. Every member of this team brought their experience, dedication, and professionalism to bear in pursuit of justice.

People often say that teamwork makes the dream work. In our profession, teamwork makes justice possible. It takes law enforcement officers, forensic interviewers, victim advocates, investigators, prosecutors, and support staff all pulling in the same direction. No single person achieves outcomes like this alone.

The Fighting 24th remains committed to standing with victims, holding violent offenders accountable, and working every day to make the communities of DeWitt, Goliad, and Refugio Counties safer for the families we are privileged to serve.

07/03/2026

06/19/2026

We are honored to have such dedicated professionals in our area.

Well done Victoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

A Victoria County jury has convicted a man of continuous sexual abuse of a child. He was sentenced to decades in prison.

06/10/2026

The Fighting 24th is sharing this message from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers in hopes that someone may have information that helps identify an unknown victim and bring accountability to those responsible for her death.
In Texas, there is no statute of limitations for murder. Time does not erase responsibility, and it does not diminish the value of a victim's life. Whether a case is one year old or thirty years old, justice remains worth pursuing.
In 1992, the remains of an unidentified woman were discovered on a ranch in Refugio County. Investigators believe she was between 20 and 35 years old, approximately 5'3" tall, and may have been white or Hispanic. She died from a gunshot wound, and investigators believe her body may have been at the location for one to three years before being discovered.
The Texas Rangers have increased the reward to up to $6,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
Someone knows who this woman was. Someone knows what happened. If you have information, no matter how small it may seem, now is the time to come forward.
Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip through the Texas DPS Cold Case Program.
Please share this post. One conversation, one memory, or one tip could be what finally breaks a case that has waited far too long for answers.

INCREASED REWARD: The Texas Rangers need help identifying a woman whose remains were found on a ranch in Refugio Co. in 1992. She was shot death, and her body was left at the location about 1-3 years before being discovered.

Based off forensic examinations, investigators believe the woman to be:

🔸White or Hispanic
🔸20-35 years old
🔸5 ft. 3 in. tall

An increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for info that leads to the arrest of those responsible for her murder. More details about this case and how you can submit a tip ➡️ bit.ly/3PS8QTF.

06/04/2026

Before leaving the courthouse this evening, I stepped into an almost empty courtroom and reflected on a long day.

Today we had a pretrial docket in DeWitt County with more than 100 cases. By day's end, we had resolved more than a dozen through plea agreements, providing accountability for offenders, closure for victims, and continued progress in moving cases through the justice system.

Most importantly, we secured a lengthy state prison sentence that will stack onto a substantial federal sentence, ensuring a child predator who lived in our midst will spend approximately 50 years behind bars. The Defendant will not be parole eligible.

The prosecution was led by First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Shawver-Savino, who took responsibility for the case shortly after joining our office. After extensive preparation with our staff, Investigator Joel Johnson, our victim advocates, and law enforcement partners, we were ready for trial. Faced with that preparation and the evidence against him, the defendant chose to plead.

The most important part of today, however, was not the sentence. It was standing beside the victim as she delivered her victim impact statement. Her courage and determination reminded everyone in the courtroom why this work matters.

Today's result reflects the dedication of the Cuero Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, our victim advocacy team led by Leigh Ann Harryman, Norma's House Child Advocacy Center, and every professional who helped bring this case to its conclusion. Justice is never the work of one person.

Days like today are rewarding but not easy. They require victims willing to find their voice, law enforcement willing to do the hard work, and public servants committed to seeing a case through to the end.

Today, justice was done. Just as importantly, we continued building a system where cases move, victims are heard, and justice is delivered without unnecessary delay.

Tomorrow, the work continues.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, the Fighting 24th pauses to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to this country and the freedoms we enjoy every day. Their sacrifice is the highest expression of duty, courage, and love of country, and we remain forever indebted to them and to the families who carry that loss.

Our commitment to supporting those who serve does not end with remembrance one day a year. Every day across the 24th Judicial District, we stand alongside the law enforcement officers, dispatchers, probation officers, victim advocates, Children’s Advocacy Center professionals, first responders, and court personnel who step forward to protect our communities and keep our families safe.

From the battlefield abroad to the front lines here at home, service matters. Sacrifice matters. And on this Memorial Day, the Fighting 24th remembers those who gave everything and honors all those who continue to carry the mission forward.

05/08/2026

As we close out the week, the Fighting 24th wants to take a moment to recognize and honor the mothers who make this office, and our entire justice system, work every single day.

The mothers in our office wear a lot of hats. They manage trial dockets, advocate in the courtroom on behalf of the State of Texas, stand beside victims and their families, coordinate the countless moving pieces behind the scenes, and still greet the public with professionalism and kindness when they walk through our doors.

We also want to recognize all the mothers across the 24th Judicial District who help keep the wheels of justice turning day in and day out. Our judges, clerks, court reporters, probation officers, victim advocates, dispatchers, jail staff, and law enforcement officers balance demanding careers of public service with the equally important responsibility of raising families and caring for those they love.

That work is not easy, and too often it goes without enough recognition.

This weekend, the Fighting 24th tips its hat to all the mothers serving our communities across DeWitt, Goliad, and Refugio Counties.

Happy Mother’s Day weekend from the Fighting 24th.

05/05/2026

Today, we join in recognizing Cinco de Mayo, a day that marks the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla.

What many may not realize is that the leader of that victory, Ignacio Zaragoza, was born right here in Goliad, Texas.

It’s a reminder that our communities are tied to history in ways that stretch far beyond county lines. The story of courage and leadership behind Cinco de Mayo has roots right here in the 24th.

Proud to serve a district where history like that started.

Happy CINCO DE MAYO! Do you KNOW the history of why this is so important?

"Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. While often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), it actually celebrates a morale-boosting win against foreign intervention, largely celebrated today in the U.S. as a commemoration of Mexican-American heritage and culture." - Google AI

Do you want to know more?!? Well, head over to the on Saturday, May 9 to hear about this Hero!
Photo: Texas Historical Commission

https://thc.texas.gov/events/general-ignacio-zaragoza-his-birthplace-life-and-el-cinco-de-mayo

05/01/2026

Today, the Fighting 24th doffs its hat to celebrate the birthday of our Secretary and Victim Assistance Coordinator for DeWitt County, Leigh Ann Harryman.

If an office is a body, Leigh Ann is its heartbeat.

Day in and day out, she takes care of this team and, more importantly, she takes care of the people who need it most. The victims and families who come through our doors are met with compassion, patience, and steady guidance because of her. That kind of work does not always get the spotlight, but it is the kind that makes everything else possible.

We are better at what we do because of her.

Happy Birthday, Leigh Ann. We appreciate you more than words can say.

DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler
Jhiela "Gigi" Poynter - Refugio County Judge
Yoakum Police Department
DeWitt County Sheriffs Office
Cuero Police Department
Goliad County Sheriff's Office
Town of Refugio Police Department
Simon McCloud III, Refugio County Attorney