Defendant sentenced to 15 years after guilty plea in Jefferson County death crash

Johnny Jacobo Ramon pleaded guilty to the second-degree felony of accident involving death and was sentenced to 15 years in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on the court’s plea agreement.

The judge found that Ramon entered his plea "freely and voluntarily," said there was sufficient evidence to find him guilty and noted Ramon had waived his right to appeal under the plea agreement. Defense counsel asked the court to consider a lesser sentence; the prosecutor urged the maximum under the agreement. Ramon told the court he did not realize he had struck a person at the time of the crash and said, "I didn't know. Okay. ... If I could go back in time, I would go back in time. And and then I would get to him."

Ramon’s defense attorney told the judge Ramon has worked and has family locally and asked for probation, but the prosecutor noted evidence the defendant knew he hit a person and had lied to officers after the crash. The judge acknowledged the case facts and imposed the agreed 15-year sentence. The court handed Ramon the trial-court certification and a written admonishment that his conviction may affect immigration status and that, under Texas law, he is ineligible to possess firearms while the judgment stands.

The court record shows a pre-sentence report had been received and considered before sentencing. The judge also noted any credit for time served would be applied as the law permits. Ramon was returned to custody under the order.

The case will remain on the district court docket only for ministerial matters related to the judgment and credits; no further substantive action was announced.