One of two men arrested last fall for assaulting two Texas game wardens following a high-speed pursuit in Limestone County has been sentenced to 30 years in prison following guilty pleas to five felonies stemming from the case.
Four other individuals whose role in the case became apparent after further investigation also have entered pleas and received sentences.
“We greatly appreciate the hard work that many officers with numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies put into this case, not to mention prosecutors and judges in Limestone and Freestone counties,” said Game Warden Capt. Bradley Chappell, who coordinated the investigation for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Not only has justice been served, we believe the sentences handed down in this case will serve as a strong reminder that Texans will not tolerate those who would harm Texas game wardens just doing their jobs.”
Two game wardens had been doing surveillance in response to complaints of illegal road hunting on the morning of Oct. 5, 2013 when they saw a vehicle operating on a public road without headlights and followed it. They watched the vehicle as it entered private property in Limestone County. After hearing breaking glass, the wardens suspected a burglary was taking place. When the vehicle started to leave the property, the wardens tried to stop it.
Instead of stopping, the driver of the vehicle struck the state vehicle and sped away. As the pursuit continued along county and farm-to-market roads, the passenger in the vehicle shined a bright light into the eyes of the game wardens, temporarily blinding them. The state vehicle went off the roadway and struck an embankment and a tree, injuring both officers.
Mart resident Teddie Wayne Davenport, 44, was identified as the driver of the vehicle and Groesbeck resident Richard Fraser as the passenger. Davenport was arrested two days later in a wooded area near a residence in Freestone County.
Later taken into custody at the Limestone County sheriff’s office, the 52-year-old Fraser entered guilty pleas to five felony counts Friday in 87th State District Court before Judge Deborah Oakes Evans. The charges and sentences include one count of third-degree degree felony evading arrest with a deadly weapon, 10 years; one count of third-degree felony burglary of a building with a deadly weapon, 10 years; one count of third-degree felony burglary of a habitation with a deadly weapon, 10 years; and two counts of first-degree felony aggravated assault of a public servant with a deadly weapon, 30 years on each count. The sentences will be concurrent.
On May 16, a Limestone County jury found Davenport guilty on four felony charges: Two counts of first-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; third-degree felony burglary of a building; and third-degree felony evading arrest. The 77th District Court jury assessed his punishment at 50 years for each of the aggravated assault counts and 10 years for each of the third-degree felony counts. The terms will run concurrently.
A follow-up investigation by TPWD Criminal Investigation Division and Internal Affairs investigators led to additional charges and arrests of seven other individuals in connection with the case. Three are still awaiting prosecution.
Also on June 6, 48-year-old Larry Thompson of Groesbeck pled guilty in 87th District Court to one count of third-degree felony hindering apprehension of a known felon and was sentenced to four years in prison.
On May 22, 52-year-old Buffalo resident Lewis Dean Cagle pled guilty in 87th District Court to one count of third-degree felony hindering apprehension/prosecution of a known felon and was sentenced to seven years deferred probation, a $2,000 fine and 192 community service hours.
Five days later, 37-year-old William A. (Trey) Davidson III of Teague pled guilty in 77th District Court to one count of third-degree felony hindering apprehension/prosecution of a known felon and was sentenced to four years in prison and one count of second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance greater than 4 grams and less than 200 grams of methamphetamine and was sentenced to four years in prison. Both sentences will run concurrently.
The same day, 38-year-old Teague resident Tanya Marie Lee pled guilty in 77th District Court to one count of third-degree felony hindering apprehension/prosecution of a known felon and was sentenced to six years deferred probation, a $2,000 fine and 192 community service hours. She also pled guilty to one count of second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance greater than 4 grams and less than 200 grams of methamphetamine and was sentenced to six years deferred probation, $1,500 fine, 192 community service hours, and attendance at Narcotic Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous meetings.
