Williamson County District Attorney

Mario Villarreal, 54, of Round Rock. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.

Mario Villarreal, 54, of Round Rock. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.

Professor convicted of having child porn

A Williamson County jury found Mario Villarreal, 54, of Round Rock, guilty of possession of child pornography in five cases last Thursday, May 1. Following the verdict, Mr. Villarreal was sentenced to serve a total of 12 years in prison and fined $10,000.
 From left to right, Jamie Felicia, Sarah Moore and Cari Warner received a board certification in Criminal Law from the state. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

From left to right, Jamie Felicia, Sarah Moore and Cari Warner received a board certification in Criminal Law from the state. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

Williamson County district attorneys earn board certification

Three Assistant District Attorneys from Williamson County — Jamie Felicia, Sarah Moore and Cari Warner —  earned board certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Friday, April 25.
Kelly Herandez, back, and Kyla Coleman, senior victims assistant coordinator for the Hutto Police Department, front, explain the importance of recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month during the April 1 Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Kelly Herandez, back, and Kyla Coleman, senior victims assistant coordinator for the Hutto Police Department, front, explain the importance of recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month during the April 1 Commissioners Court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County stresses importance of sexual assault awareness

Williamson County commissioners recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month during its April 1 meeting. “I know that at times it can feel like a proclamation is just words,” said Ryan Bownds, chief prosecutor of the special victims unit for the District Attorney's office.
Seth Bryan Carnes

Seth Bryan Carnes

Son pleads guilty to parents’ murder

Georgetown resident Seth Bryan Carnes, 47, pled guilty to capital murder Monday, March 31, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Mr.
Christopher Alan Young, 56, of Pearland. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.

Christopher Alan Young, 56, of Pearland. Photo courtesy of the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.

Coin theft from elderly leads to 60 years in prison

A Williamson County jury found a 56-year-old man from Pearland guilty of theft of property from an elderly Williamson County resident — a first-degree felony — on Wednesday, March 12.The jury subsequently sentenced Christopher Alan Young to 60 years in prison and imposed a $10,000 fine.
Commissioners Terry Cook, left, and Russ Boles, right, with County Judge Bill Gravell, center, vote in favor of adding another district court to Williamson County during the January 14 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Commissioners Terry Cook, left, and Russ Boles, right, with County Judge Bill Gravell, center, vote in favor of adding another district court to Williamson County during the January 14 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County sets new district court as legislative priority

Williamson County is set to gain another District Court by the end of the 2025 legislative session to accommodate the county’s population and case growth.
Matthew Lindemann, left, with his son Clark Lindemann, center, and daughter Claire Kolle, right, is sworn in as Williamson County Sheriff by Senior District Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield, right, during induction ceremonies for newly-elected Williamson County officeholders on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Matthew Lindemann, left, with his son Clark Lindemann, center, and daughter Claire Kolle, right, is sworn in as Williamson County Sheriff by Senior District Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield, right, during induction ceremonies for newly-elected Williamson County officeholders on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

New year, new faces

Photos by Andy SharpA 112-year-old tradition, Williamson County residents began the new year by welcoming new elected officials into office January 1 at 2 p.m. at the historic county courthouse.
Sun Archive.

Sun Archive.

Tree of Angels

 This year, families and residents can remember and honor victims of crime and their families for two weeks in the Williamson County Courthouse.The Williamson County District Attorney’s Office will host the 12th annual Tree of Angels ceremony December 3.
Christopher “Ali” Vassef and Leonora Soriano were killed in a wreck September 5, 2022, when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in Williamson County. (Courtesy Williamson County District Attorney's Office)

Christopher “Ali” Vassef and Leonora Soriano were killed in a wreck September 5, 2022, when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver in Williamson County. (Courtesy Williamson County District Attorney's Office)

Drunk driver gets 40 years for manslaughter of Elgin couple

Taylor resident John Crayton, Jr. was convicted of intoxication manslaughter on November 14 and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Charges stem from a vehicular wreck that killed Elgin couple Leonora Soriano and Christopher “Ali” Vassef in 2022.