VCTX Open Source Content Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Stephen Tyler
361-575-0468

 

James Lewis Soliz, 46 years old, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of three counts of Burglary of a Habitation.  Judge Robert Cheshire sentenced the defendant after a punishment trial to the Court.

 

On January 26, 2011, the Victoria Police Department responded to 1204 South Laurent after several 911 callers had reported hearing crashing noises and screaming coming from a residence.  Jacquelyn Gonzalez called 911 after she saw the defendant kick in the front door and smash his fist through a window of her sister's home.  Ms. Gonzalez detailed for the dispatcher how the defendant beat her and several other female occupants of the home.  The defendant was related to the occupants of the home.

 

Savannah Gonzalez testified that she saw her mother running from a car after hearing honking coming from her driveway.  Savannah let her mother into the home and told the defendant to get off her property.  When the defendant appeared to get out of the car, Savannah locked the front door and ran with her mother and sister to a back bedroom.  Savannah testified that the defendant assaulted three women inside the home in front of young children.  Savannah retrieved a baseball bat and attempted to defend herself with it; however, the beating did not stop until the police arrived and arrested the defendant.

 

"Because the victims were closely related to the defendant, it was difficult for them to testify, however, they chose to confront an individual who showed them no mercy the night of the assaults," said Assistant District Attorney Eli E. Garza.  "Because of the hard work of law enforcement and the courageous testimony of these women, the defendant will spend the next 30 years in prison."  Noting that the defendant had beaten these women in front of young children, Judge Robert Cheshire rejected the defendant's request for probation. 

 

 

  James Lewis Soliz, (Jail Photo)
46 years old