State vs. Corey Wiggins
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Victim Under 14
Lead: Darryl Morris
2nd Chair: Ward Weber
DA Investigator: Lorraine Resendez
DA Victim Advocate: Nathaly Mendez
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
After roughly eight hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. During the punishment phase, the State presented evidence of the defendant’s prior felony conviction. After fewer than ten minutes of deliberation, the jury imposed a life sentence, bringing the case to a decisive conclusion.
GUILTY and sentenced to LIFE in prison without the possibility of parole.
State vs. Nauledge Jennings
Capital Murder
Lead: Krystal Biggins
2nd Chair: Loren Collins
DA Investigators: JD Williams, John Schingle & Raul Obregon
DA Paralegal: Ayleanna Westbrooks
DA Victim Advocate: Sandra Walker
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
On January 25, 2024, the defendant, and three of his co-defendants agreed to meet up and buy marijuana from the victim. The defendants lured the victim to the back of the apartments located at 1025 W. Wheatland Road where they planned to rob him of his marijuana and money. The defendant Jennings and another co-defendant approached the victim’s car and tried to get in the vehicle while the two other defendants waited to ambush the victim. The victim attempted to drive off during the robbery while the Jennings and the co-defendant fired 14 shots at the victim. One of the bullets killed the victim as he crashed into one of the apartment units.
Dallas Police conducted a thorough investigation by gathering vehicle registration and GPS information, call detail records, surveillance videos from the apartment complex and surrounding areas, clothing, and social media messages to bring these four individuals to justice.
GUILTY and sentenced to LIFE in prison without the possibility of parole.
State vs. Sheldon Wilhite
Murder
Lead: Hallie Warnock
2nd Chair: Taylor Willis
DA Investigator: Alex Lipsey, Martin Bosse
Appellate Support: Paul Pinon for Writ of Attachment
DA Paralegal: LaTonya Peoples
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
Two best friends committed a drive by shooting in Southeast Dallas, killing someone they did not know. After they got caught, both said the other person did it.
The trial went on for a week, had more than 20 witnesses, 5 experts (including DNA, firearms, and FBI phone mapping), involved a writ of attachment for one witness, co-defendant testimony, and then, two weeks before the trial started, an inmate came forward claiming he heard a confession from the co-defendant.
The two co-defendants were not arrested until a month after the offense and committed a felony evading in the meantime that was proved up in punishment. The next of kin, the victim’s sister, testified in the punishment phase of the trial about how their mom was murdered when they were kids.
GUILTY and sentenced to LIFE in prison.
State vs. Qualin Turner
Indecency with a Child – Sexual Contact
Lead: Summer Elmazi
2nd Chair: Ward Weber
DA Investigators: Josh Brooks, Laura Brakefield, Joe Mundy
DA Victim Advocate: Flor De La Fuente
The defendant had been previously convicted twice before of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Upon release from the penitentiary, he moved in with his mother.
The jury convicted the defendant, and the Court sentenced him to life in prison.
GUILTY and sentenced to LIFE in prison.
State vs. Hector Ortiz Hernandez
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Lead: Lauren Villanueva
2nd Chair: Delayna Griffin
DA Investigator: Barry Maxwell
DA Victim Advocate: Vicenta Tapia
The defendant was charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The victim bravely testified against his abuser and the defendant was finally held accountable for his actions.
GUILTY and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
State vs. Lim Nguyen
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Lead: Sara Beth DeLay
2nd Chair: Michael Chang
DA Investigator: Eddie Lopez
DA Victim Advocate: Vicenta Tapia
Investigating Agency: Grand Prairie Police Department
Special thanks to Irene Duong from the Video Room for her assistance with the trial.
The defendant was stopped by a Grand Prairie Police officer for having illegal window tint and red covered headlights. The traffic stop escalated quickly when the officer saw what appeared to be a gun in plain view. After the defendant was removed from his car, the officer ran his criminal history and discovered numerous felony arrests and convictions, including two Aggravated Assault convictions that were pled down from a Capital Murder. The gun in the car turned out to be a butane lighter designed to look like a firearm, but the officer discovered another gun in the defendant’s pocket when he placed him under arrest for his traffic violations. In addition to the firearm, the defendant had over 200 grams of Methamphetamine in his car, along with a scale and small baggies.
The defendant was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
GUILTY and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
