Latest news with #CollinCountyDA
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
34-year-old North Texas man sentenced to 50 years after admitting to fatally beating, strangling mother
A 34-year-old Plano man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the fatal beating and strangulation of his mother, the Collin County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday. Robert Lee Timmons Jr. was convicted in the 2024 death of his mother, Rene Timmons. On May 16, 2024, Plano officers responded to a welfare call from a co-worker of Rene after she failed to show up for work that day. When officers arrived at her home, she was found wrapped in a blanket "with obvious signs of having been viciously beaten and no signs of life," according to a news release. Police said a short distance away from Rene's home, Richardson police officers were investigating a report of a man unlawfully entering an apartment. That suspect was identified as Robert Timmons. Timmons reportedly told the Richardson officers, "I just killed my mother." Richardson PD contacted Plano PD, who confirmed officers had discovered Rene's body. Timmons was then taken into police custody. After Timmons was transported to the Plano Police Department for the murder of his mother, he was interviewed by a detective. The news release states that Timmons admitted to attacking his mother after getting angry, with a metal pipe and a piece of wood, before strangling her. The detective said Timmons told him, "I know I am an evil person, and it looks like I don't regret what I did, but I'm too high to cry." Timmons reportedly admitted to regularly using methamphetamine. During the investigation, police learned that Timmons falsely accused his mother of assaulting him the day before the attack. However, Timmons later admitted that he inflicted his injuries, which can be seen in his booking photo, police said. According to the news release, Timmons was trying to claim self-defense. According to the Collin County DA's Office, Timmons was living with his mother at the time of the attack. Timmons' mother allegedly told others that Timmons was violent and she wanted him to move out because of that, his drug use, erratic behavior and his refusal to work, the news release said. The DA's Office said Timmons had prior arrests for assault, including attacking his sister and a roommate. Authorities said he was prosecuted in both of those cases. "This was a horrific act of violence against the very person who gave him life. This case is also a grim reminder of how meth can fuel violence and destroy families," Collin County DA Greg Willis said in a statement following Timmons' sentencing trial. "I'm grateful to our prosecutors and to the Plano and Richardson police for holding this dangerous man accountable and protecting our community from him ever again."
CBS News
20-05-2025
- CBS News
67-year-old Frisco man sentenced to 70 years in prison for continuous child sex abuse
A 67-year-old Frisco man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of children over a seven-year period, the Collin County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday. One of the victims was just 5 years old when the abuse began. Billy Bob Dunfield was sentenced to 70 years in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child of two separate children, officials said. Mother of victim uncovers years of abuse The mother of one of the victims told police about the abuse of her child after discovering text messages her child had sent to a friend. A second victim was found and testified about suffering similar abuse. Both victims were interviewed at the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center, where they described the abuse in graphic detail. According to a news release by the Collin County DA's Office, the victims were manipulated into removing their clothing for "massages," and Dunfield would commit repeated acts of sexual abuse. When a search warrant was executed at Dunfield's home, law enforcement found a massage table, oils and other physical evidence that matched the testimony of the victims. Collin County DA's Office Dunfield was convicted in 2005 for child pornography During the investigation, the Frisco Police Department said, detectives learned that Dunfield lied to the victims' guardians about his past 2005 conviction and sentence for possession of sexually explicit visual depictions of minors. Dunfield was required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, but he told the victims' guardians that he was wrongly convicted, officials said. "This predator conned his way into kids' lives, abused them for years, and though he'd get away with it again," Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said. Following the trial, the jury delivered the maximum sentence in the case. "Predators don't stop on their own. This case proves it," Willis said. "Thanks to the courage of these children and the work of our multidisciplinary team, he'll never touch another child again – and we urge parents and guardians to stay vigilant and speak up if something feels wrong."
CBS News
13-05-2025
- CBS News
Rowlett man with ties to white supremacist group sentence to life in prison for firing at officer
A Rowlett man with ties to a white supremacist group has been sentenced to life in prison for opening fire on a Plano police officer, the Collin County District Attorney's Office announced. Christopher Allen, 34, was convicted of aggravated assault against a public servant. Gunfire erupts after narcotics raid The incident happened in August 2021. The Plano police SWAT officers were called to a home to execute a narcotics search warrant. Police said Allen, who was staying at the home while on felony probation, jumped a backyard fence and ran from the scene. When an officer began to chase Allen on foot, he turned and fired a handgun. The officer then returned fire "to protect himself, the officers behind him and the surrounding neighborhood," the news release said. Daniel Christopher Allen, 34, of Rowlett. Collin County DA's Office Officials said Allen was injured during the exchange, dropped his weapon and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Evidence and criminal history revealed during hearing The Collin County DA's Office said jurors were shown bodycam and drone footage of the raid incident, which captured the moment Allen opened fire on the officer. The jury then found Allen guilty in less than 20 minutes. "The Plano SWAT team put themselves in harm's way that day, confronting a known threat to protect our community," Collin County DA Greg Willis said in a statement. "That kind of courage deserves more than praise – it deserves our deepest gratitude." As the punishment phase began, prosecutors told the jury that Allen had been a convicted felon since 2015 and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. A gang expert testified about Allen's "long-standing membership in Aryan Circle," a known violent white supremacist prison gang, the news release said. Allen faced five to 99 years or life in prison, and the jury handed down a life sentence following testimony.
