Collin County DA

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Joanna, Christy, and Ezra on their promotions! Each brings something valuable to our team... 🌟Joanna is always ready to lend a hand and support her teammates, taking on additional responsibilities and seeing them through with accuracy and efficiency. 🌟Christy is a supportive team player who brings people together, adapts to new challenges, and is always eager to learn and grow. 🌟Ezra’s attention to detail helps keep things running smoothly at the misdemeanor front-desk, and her welcoming nature makes a positive impression on everyone who walks through the door. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCounty #Promotion #Congratulations

This week, Second Assistant District Attorney John Rolater discussed our office's diversion programs, including Burden to Blessing, an initiative established by DA Greg Willis. First-time, nonviolent offenders take ownership of their conduct while developing life skills necessary for positive change. Upon completion, participants are eligible for an immediate expunction of their charge, providing them with a fresh start toward contributing to our community. Amy Murphy and Robert Koehl then walked participants through the appellate process, explaining the different levels of appellate courts, the path an appeal takes, and the reasons a ruling or judgment may be challenged. They also discussed the cases of Collin County's four death row inmates and the current stages of their appeals. The appellate process plays an important role in our mission of holding violent offenders accountable. By upholding verdicts, our appellate team continues to protect our community long after a sentence has been delivered and an offender has been sent to prison. Another great week of learning about the work of our office and the many roles that contribute to pursuing justice throughout Collin County! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CPA

✨ Welcome to the team, Natalie Myers! ✨ Natalie joins us as a Legal Secretary II and Citizen Prosecutor Academy Coordinator. She brings nine years of experience in education with Plano ISD, along with a background in account management, marketing, and customer relations. Her degree in Corporate Communication and Marketing from Western Kentucky University further supports the work she’ll do with our team and the Academy. We’re glad to have Natalie with us and look forward to the contributions she’ll make as we pursue justice and protect our community. #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #NewHire #CollinCounty

It's Election Day! 🗳️ Click the link below to find your nearest polling location ⬇️ collincountytx.gov/elections…

DA Greg Willis Announces 75-Year Sentence for Man Who Possessed Child Pornography Including the Sexual Assault of Toddlers Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that a Collin County jury sentenced Joshua Turner, 31, of Celina, to 75 years in prison for Possession of Visual Material Depicting Sexual Assault. The Crime On October 19, 2025, the @CelinaPolice received a tip from the @NCMEC that Turner was viewing child pornography. When the investigation began, Turner started deleting evidence from his devices. Detectives were still able to recover several images and videos of child pornography, including material depicting the sexual assault of toddlers. The Investigation Further review of Turner’s devices by Detectives DeGroot and Crumley revealed that he had been messaging with several minors on platforms including Kik, Session, and Telegram. The investigation also showed that Turner had engaged in sexual intercourse with a 14 year old after providing her with alcohol. Turner had also sent disturbing messages describing sexual acts he wanted to commit on children as young as three years old. The Trial and Sentence On October 28, 2026, Joshua Turner pled guilty to Possession of Visual Material Depicting Sexual Assault. A Collin County jury then sentenced him to 75 years in prison. Judge Rayburn Nall presided over the case. Statement from District Attorney Greg Willis: “This man possessed especially despicable child pornography including the sexual assault of toddlers, messaged multiple minors, and engaged in sexual intercourse with a 14 year old after giving her alcohol. A jury sentenced him to 75 years in prison. Those who exploit children will be held accountable.” Prosecution Team Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Madison Dickson and Pierce Richardson prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Sarah Putman, Greg Bowers, Keith Putman, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White. collincountyda.com/da-greg-w… #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCountyDA #CollinCounty

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 👻 A few reminders to help keep Halloween safe and fun for everyone: 👻 Watch for pedestrians and trick-or-treaters 🔦 Carry a flashlight and stay visible 🎃 Stick with a group 🚗 Never drive impaired Have a spook-tacular Halloween, Collin County! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #HalloweenSafety

🎉 Congratulations on your promotions, Chloe and Valarie! 🎉 Your hard work and dedication to serving Collin County have not gone unnoticed. We’re excited to see all that you’ll accomplish in your new roles! Please join us in congratulating Chloe Blackmon on her promotion to Secretary and Valarie Hernandez on her promotion to Legal I Secretary! We’re proud to have you both on our team. Congratulations, Chloe and Valarie! 👏 #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #Promotions #Congratulations

DA Greg Willis Announces 5 Year Prison Sentence for McKinney Trainer Convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child and Improper Relationship between Educator and Student Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that a Collin County jury sentenced Lindsey Post, 36, of McKinney, to five years in prison after she pled guilty to two counts of Sexual Assault of a Child and Improper Relationship between Educator and Student. The Crime Post had ongoing access to the child as an athletic trainer at McKinney North High School. They met in 2025 when the victim had broken her arm and needed physical therapy with Post. During that time, Post groomed the child into trusting her and then began sexually assaulting the victim. The Investigation On January 27, 2026, the victim told her parents about the abuse, and they contacted police. McKinney Police Department investigators found inappropriate messages between Post and the victim. While on bond, Post violated the conditions of her bond by having a phone call with the victim. The Sentence On October 16, 2026, Lindsey Post pled guilty to the charges. This week a Collin County jury heard the evidence and assessed punishment at five years in prison. As a result of her conviction for Sexual Assault of a Child, Post is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life. Judge Tom Nowak presided over the trial. Statement from District Attorney Greg Willis “This woman used her position as a high school athletic trainer to groom and sexually assault a student she was treating. A jury sentenced her to five years in prison. Adults who abuse the trust placed in them by students will be held accountable.” Prosecution Team Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Justin Alexander and Claire Kirk prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White. collincountyda.com/da-greg-w… @McKinneyPolice #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCountyDA #CollinCounty

DA Greg Willis Announces 50-Year Sentence Without Parole for Prosper Youth Softball Coach Convicted of Continuously Sexually Assaulting a Child Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that a Collin County jury convicted Michael Angel Garcia, 37, of Prosper, of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child under 14 and Sexual Assault of a Child. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison without parole. The Crime Garcia had ongoing access to the child as her longtime youth softball coach. He sexually assaulted her from the time she was six years old until she was fourteen. On August 25, 2025, the family and medical staff contacted police after learning the child was pregnant. DNA testing confirmed Garcia was the father of the baby. The Investigation The child was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County for a forensic interview, where she disclosed years of abuse. Prosper Police Detective Seth Cockerham executed a search warrant at Garcia’s home and collected DNA evidence consistent with the child’s outcry. Additional evidence supporting the outcry was found on Garcia’s phone, including searches about how to terminate a pregnancy. Garcia was apprehended in Hillsboro, Texas, while attempting to flee to Mexico. The Trial and Sentence A Collin County jury found Garcia guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and Sexual Assault of a Child. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison on the Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child charge and 20 years in prison on the Sexual Assault of a Child charge. The sentences will run concurrently. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is served without eligibility for parole. Judge Richard Davis presided over the trial and assessed the sentence. Statement from District Attorney Greg Willis: “This man used his position as a child’s youth softball coach to sexually abuse her for years, beginning when she was six years old. The abuse continued until she became pregnant with his child. A jury convicted him, and he was sentenced to 50 years without parole. Those who abuse children while in a position of trust will be held accountable.” Prosecution Team Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Allison Barber and Ashleigh Woodall prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White. collincountyda.com/da-greg-w… #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCountyDA #CollinCounty

National First Responders Day! 🚨 Today, we're taking a moment to recognize the brave men and women who answer the call to serve their community. Every day, these real-life superheroes put themselves in harm’s way to provide aid in moments of crisis and help keep our communities safe. We’re grateful for the courage, dedication, and service of the first responders who serve Collin County and beyond. Thank you for answering the call! #NationalFirstRespondersDay #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity

Jury Finds High School JROTC Instructor Guilty of Indecent Assault on Student Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that a Collin County jury found Michael Christopher Songy, age 44, of Frisco, guilty of Indecent Assault for improper touching of one of his high school students. The Crime Songy was the student’s JROTC instructor at Prosper Rock Hill High School for 2 years. The week before graduation, Songy had the 18 year old student alone in the classroom supply closet. Songy initiated a hug and then began touching the student inappropriately under the shirt. After the assault, Songy put his phone number on a sticky note and gave it to the student. The student bravely outcried to a teacher about what had happened to her. The Investigation The child was then interviewed by Prosper ISD Police where she turned over the sticky note with Songy’s phone number. Police were also able to recover phone and computer evidence, including a message Songy sent the day after the assault asking the victim to come to his classroom again. Songy was then arrested for the Class A misdemeanor crime of Indecent Assault, the highest charge available for this conduct. The Verdict and Sentence A Collin County jury found Songy guilty of Indecent Assault after hearing all the evidence. Judge David Waddill will assess the punishment for Songy on November 12th. Statement of District Attorney Greg Willis “A Collin County jury found this defendant guilty of indecently assaulting one of his students. Holding adults accountable when they violate the trust placed in them by students is important, and that is what the jury did here.” Prosecution Team Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Logan Goodwin and Caitlyn Jones prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Xavier Badillo and Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller. #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCountyDA #CollinCounty

DA Greg Willis Announces 60 Year Sentence for Man Who Shot his Wife Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that a Collin County jury convicted Abelardo Espinoza, 56, of Carrollton, of Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison. The Crime In the early hours of June 22, 2024, Frisco Police Department responded to a 7-Eleven on El Dorado Parkway and Preston Road after a caller reported that her husband had shot her. Officers found the victim with gunshot wounds to her face and shoulder. Her vehicle also had multiple bullet holes. After the shooting, Espinoza abandoned his car, changed his shirt, discarded the gun, and arranged for a friend to pick him up. He was later arrested by Carrollton Texas Police Department. The Investigation Detective Miranda Hernandez investigated the case. The victim identified her soon-to-be ex-husband as the shooter. Security footage from businesses along the Dallas North Tollway and El Dorado Parkway showed Espinoza following the victim and his actions after the shooting, including dumping the car and shirt and being picked up by a friend. After his arrest, Espinoza confessed to his daughter that he had shot the victim. The Sentence A Collin County jury found Espinoza guilty of the first-degree felony of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member. During the punishment phase, the State presented additional evidence that Espinoza possessed child pornography images and videos, as well as bestiality material. After hearing the evidence, visiting Judge Michael Snipes assessed punishment at 60 years in prison. Statement from District Attorney Greg Willis “This man shot his wife in the face and shoulder, then tried to cover his tracks by dumping his car, his shirt, and the gun. A jury convicted him, and he was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Holding domestic violence offenders accountable is a priority for this office.” Prosecution Team Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Samantha Shaffer and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Robin Laughon and Victim Assistance Coordinator Dixie Hardin. collincountyda.com/da-greg-w… #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCountyDA #CollinCounty @FriscoPD @CarrolltonTXPD

🏆Congratulations, Angelique! 🏆 We are proud to celebrate Assistant District Attorney Angelique for receiving the Outstanding Rookie Award at the 2026 MADD North Texas Law Enforcement Recognition Awards! This well deserved honor recognizes a commitment to pursuing justice, holding impaired drivers accountable, and helping keep our communities safe. We are grateful for the dedication and hard work that make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Please join us in congratulating Angelique on this outstanding achievement! @MADDNational #MADD #OutstandingRookie #EndImpairedDriving #CommunitySafety

Week 4 of the Fall 2026 Citizen Prosecutor Academy focused on protecting kids! Chief Felony Prosecutor Alyson Dietrich explained how our Family Justice Division works to keep children safe. She covered how children are removed from unsafe homes and placed in secure environments, the ongoing care and support they receive, and the Texas laws and policies that guide those decisions. She also shared resources available to families and professionals. Chief Felony Prosecutor Ann Mathew discussed the Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Unit and how it protects children from online and offline exploitation. She explained what child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is, how tips and cases reach our office, and how the Unit investigates these cases to identify and safeguard victims while holding offenders accountable. Investigator Josh Duncan described the digital forensic work that helps recover evidence, locate victims, and support the prosecutions that remove dangerous offenders from our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us for another week of learning about the dedicated teams and collaborative work that protect children and pursue justice in Collin County. Stay tuned for more from CPA Fall 2026! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CPA

🎉 Please join us in congratulating several members of our prosecutorial team on their promotions! 🎉 We’re proud to recognize these prosecutors for their professionalism, dedication to public service, and contributions to our office. Their work reflects a continued commitment to making and keeping the people of Collin County safe! (L-R) 🌟 Brennan Saunders-- Felony Prosecutor 🌟 Edith Anthony-- Felony Prosecutor 🌟 Dallas Kennedy-- Felony Prosecutor 🌟 Angelique Woods-- Felony Prosecutor 🌟 Caitlyn Jones-- Felony Prosecutor 🌟 Alyssa Mattingly-- Chief Felony Prosecutor 🌟 Emily Johnston-- Felony Prosecutor Congratulations to each of them on this exciting next step in their careers! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCounty #Promotions #Congratulations

Week 3 of the Fall 2026 session was one to remember! Special Prosecution Unit Chief Christina Skipper shared the prosecutor’s perspective on narcotics cases, discussing case preparation and our office’s efforts to advance narcotics investigations and reduce delays in testing narcotics samples. Plano PD Det. Lederman and Sgt. Atkins provided the investigative perspective, covering methods for investigating drug dealers, gathering evidence, the different classifications of controlled substances, and efforts to combat drug-related crime. Participants gained a better understanding of how prosecutors and detectives work together on narcotics cases and even had the opportunity to view samples of narcotics. We look forward to sharing more as participants continue exploring the work of our office throughout the rest of the Fall 2026 session! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CPA

🎉 Congratulations on your promotion to Felony Prosecutor, Logan Goodwin! Logan has consistently shown a willingness to step up, take on new challenges, and give his all to every assignment. In the courtroom, he brings a strong, focused, and strategic approach to his work. As he steps into his new role as Felony Prosecutor, we know he’ll continue to bring that same determination to every case. Congratulations on your promotion, Logan! We’re proud to have you on our team. #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #Promotion #CollinCounty

DA Greg Willis Announces Life Without Parole Sentence for Celina Man Who Murdered Former Girlfriend During Home Invasion Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that a jury convicted Karl Andrew Stanley, 55, of Celina, of Capital Murder. Under Texas law, that conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stanley killed a former girlfriend while burglarizing her home in retaliation for her reporting his stalking behavior to the Celina Police Department. The Crime On November 25, 2024, Celina Police received a call from a carpenter working at the victim’s home in the Mustang Lakes subdivision. The caller reported that Stanley broke into the home armed with a car jack and began striking the victim with it. The caller wrestled the car jack away from him, but Stanley followed the victim inside the home and began strangling her with his hands. When officers arrived, they found Stanley inside the home mere feet from the victim’s body with her blood and hair on his hands. The Investigation Detective Joseph Shires obtained search warrants for the victim’s home, Stanley’s DNA, and his vehicle. The car jack was recovered outside the home as described by the witness. DNA analysis confirmed the victim’s blood was on Stanley’s hands. A document titled “grudge list” was found in his vehicle, with the victim’s name listed first. Detective Frank Alegre testified that beginning in early November 2024 the victim had reported Stanley’s harassing and stalking behavior to Celina PD. Stanley had recently been criminally trespassed from the victim’s home and was arrested by Celina police two days before the murder for violating that warning. Detective Alegre further testified that he had obtained a stalking arrest warrant for Stanley just two hours before the killing. The Sentence Stanley pled not guilty to Capital Murder. After hearing the evidence, a Collin County jury deliberated less than an hour before finding him guilty. Texas law required an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole, which Judge Richard Davis imposed. Statement from District Attorney Greg Willis “This man killed a woman in her own home because she reported his stalking to police. He broke in with a car jack, attacked her, and strangled her. A Collin County jury convicted him, and now he will spend every day of the rest of his life in prison while her family will live every day with their loss. Prosecution Team Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cresta Garland and Alex Oestreich prosecuted the case, assisted by ADA Edith Anthony, Investigator Robin Laughon, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233 collincountyda.com/da-greg-w… @CelinaPolice #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CollinCountyDA #CollinCounty

Week Two of the Citizen Prosecutor Academy is in the books! This week, Misdemeanor Division Chief Nick Lawrance started by covering the different types and classes of misdemeanors and provided an overview of the trial process. Domestic Violence Unit Chief Cresta Garland and Felony Prosecutor Paige Test then explained the cycle of abuse and worked through a case study to help participants better understand the complexities of domestic violence cases. Another great week of learning about the work of the District Attorney’s Office and the many roles that contribute to pursuing justice throughout Collin County! #PursuingJustice #ProtectingOurCommunity #CPA