Bathroom graffiti threat lands teen in felony trouble

  KINGWOOD, TX (KTRK) -- An 18-year-old high school student is facing a felony charge over a threat involving guns, in the form of bathroom graffiti.

Last Wednesday, the principal of Kingwood High School, following up on a tip, discovered threatening graffiti on a bathroom wall. Court documents state that the drawing was of a gun pointing to a stick figure, with the name of an Humble ISD police officer, and stated "Kill Officer West." Other drawings also showed violence against officers, and one writing referred to shooting everyone at KHS.

Officials reviewed surveillance video from the hallway outside the restroom and interviewed witnesses to narrow down a time frame in which the graffiti appeared. They pulled Derick Richard Montelongo out of class and reportedly discovered in his possession several drawings that matched the ones in the restroom, as well as a marker matching the graffiti.

Montelongo, 18, is charged with exhibition of firearms, a felony charge. Bail has been set at $10,000 for the case.

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Jury finds mother guilty of felony murder and injury by omission in death of 4-year-old girl

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County jury has found a mother guilty of felony murder and injury by omission in the death of her 4-year-old girl.

The punishment phase will begin on Monday. Macial Sandoval will face up anywhere from five years to 99 years in prison for the death of her daughter, Betsabeth.

All this week, it's been an emotional roller coaster inside the courtroom. The defense for Sandoval says someone else is to blame. She sat quietly as closing arguments painted vastly different pictures of her role as mother to little Betsabeth Sandoval. The 4-year-old died last June.

Horacio Ramos is Betsabeth's father.

"Real sad, angry at the same time because I'm still wondering what the jury would do," Ramos said.

On Friday the focus was on Betsabeth's mother. Prosecutors say the little girl was found with numerous bruises, contusions, and other injuries in June 2011.

During her closing arguments on Friday, assistant district attorney Connie Spence told jurors, "Having a child, being a mother, is not a right, it is a privilege granted by God."

Ramos listened to the argument with tears in his eyes.

"Even though it's not going to bring my daughter's life back, I still want them to get the punishment they deserve," said Ramos.

But defense attorneys put the blame on Sandoval's partner, who they say was at home taking care of Betsabeth while Sandoval was away at work.

"She trusted the homemaker to take care of the home. Don't punish someone for being in love," said defense attorneys.

But Ramos says little Betsabeth deserves justice.

"People like that, I don't think they have a heart, to do something like that to their own child," he said.

The defense did not call any witnesses.

In closing arguments, the prosecution stated, "We knew this was going on before June 3rd. The medical examiner said this was going on way before June 3rd."

The defense says Sandoval was simply not aware of what was going on in the home, saying, "The child became increasingly difficult. She didn't know what the cause was."

Sandoval's partner is facing the same charges, and will face trial at a later date.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Church meeting leads to felony charge

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A 15-year-old girl told authorities that she had sex with a man she met at church last year. Now that man is facing a felony charge.

According to court documents, the girl told a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff's Office that she met Juan Carlos Sixtos, 25, at church last year in about March, and they had communicated on Facebook. She says the pair talked on the phone and texted daily.

In July 2011, the teen says she snuck out of her house at about 2am to meet Sixtos and had sex with him in his car. The sexual relationship reportedly continued until November.

Sixtos reportedly confessed to having sex with the teen. He is charged with sexual assault of a child under 17 years of age. Bail has been set at $30,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Teen suspect wanted on four felony charges

Vernell Bazile, 19, is wanted on charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, felony assault on a family/house member, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and evading arrest/detention in a motor vehicle

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Detectives say they are searching for an "extremely dangerous" suspect who is wanted on four felony charges, including robbery and assault.

Vernell Bazile, 19, is wanted on charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, felony assault on a family/house member, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest/detention in a motor vehicle, according to a Crime Stoppers statement. Bazile is accused of choking a 16-year-old girl until she fell unconscious on May 2. He then allegedly threatened to fatally shoot the victim's mother if she didn't hand over the keys to her Chevrolet Tahoe. Detectives say Bazile was out on bond for two unrelated charges -- unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest/detention in a motor vehicle. After the new allegations were made against him, his bond was forfeited and four new warrants without bond were issued. Subject Bazil is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 145 pounds. He has black hair with brown eyes and a dark complexion. Authorities consider Bazile to be armed and "extremely dangerous," according to the Crime Stoppers statement. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Golf cart joyride ends in felony arrests

  Four men face felony charges after stealing seven golf carts and causing thousands of dollars in damage, officials said.

Garrett Charles Walsh, 22, of Conroe and 19-year-old Ryan Fredrick Zacharias, 20-year-old Domenic Alexander Floyd and 22-year-old Dustin Duane Debord -- all of Fulshear -- were all arrested Tuesday.

According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the group broke into a building and stole seven golf carts, then took them on a joyride and vandalized them.

The damages are estimated at more than $30,000.

All four men are charged with burglary of a building.

Walsh, Zacharias and Floys were apprehended at their homes early Tuesday and officials said Debord turned himself in that afternoon. Walsh has a $75,000 bond and is currently on parole for a previous burglary charge. Zacharias, Debord and Floyd each have a $25,000 bond.

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