Judge finds Joseph Krueger guilty of evading in motor vehicle; sentences 3 years suspended, 4 years probation

Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court found Joseph Krueger guilty on an evading-an-officer-in-a-vehicle charge and imposed a three-year prison sentence suspended in favor of four years of community supervision, after the state presented dashcam footage and officer testimony and the defense agreed to proceed by bench trial.

The court took the case on the record after parties announced themselves as Andrew Harris Edelman for the State and Adam LaHood for the defense; Krueger waived his right to a jury trial and signed a written waiver that the court accepted. The state offered the patrol vehicle dashcam as State's Exhibit 1, which the defense did not object to; Officer Ramiro Ramos of the San Antonio Police Department identified the video and testified about the traffic stops that led to the evading charge.

The state's evidence, including the recording, showed the vehicle pull away from a location officers associate with narcotics distribution, fail to come to a complete stop at one stop sign according to Officer Ramos, and turn into an outer lane rather than the lane closest to the curb. Ramos testified that he activated his emergency overhead lights and later his siren and that the vehicle continued northbound for several blocks before pulling over. The dashcam was admitted without objection and played for the court.

After the state presented the exhibits and the court reviewed a signed stipulation of testimony and related papers, Judge Boyd found the evidence sufficient and entered a guilty finding. The defendant then proceeded to sentencing. The court ordered a three-year sentence to be suspended and placed Krueger on four years of community supervision with several conditions: partial GPS monitoring for six months (with possible removal if the defendant complies), a requirement to show proof of employment within 30 days of release, a prohibition on employment as a home health-care provider for minors, 200 hours of community service or satisfaction of that requirement by obtaining a journeyman's license, regular reporting (by Zoom or in person), random drug and alcohol testing, monthly field visits for six months, participation in defensive driving instruction, and TAP evaluation with supportive outpatient treatment as an initial placement if recommended. The court also waived certain fees and set a restitution status hearing for Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. to determine any restitution owed in related cause numbers 2023CR10268 and 2024CR3168.

Judge Boyd also confirmed that Krueger waived his right to appeal under the written waiver and reviewed the limits of that waiver, including that only written pretrial motions that have been filed, heard and ruled on are appealable. The court explained statutory and procedural obligations to Krueger, including local traffic-law obligations emphasized during sentencing discussion.

The record shows the following formal court actions: acceptance of the jury-waiver under Article 1.13(a), admission of State's Exhibit 1 (the patrol dashcam) without objection, a guilty finding based on the stipulated testimony and exhibits, and the sentencing and ancillary orders noted above. The court set a restitution hearing date and instructed the parties on how restitution proof must be presented if the state intends to request amounts at that hearing.

Speakers who appear in the record include Judge Stephanie Boyd, Assistant District Attorney Andrew Harris Edelman, defense attorney Adam LaHood, defendant Joseph Krueger, and Officer Ramiro Ramos. Other courtroom personnel referenced include Norma (court staff) and Deputy Lohr (court/deputy involvement with evidence). The transcript indicates the matter occurred in Bexar County and refers to local transportation code obligations discussed by the court and counsel.

Votes/official rulings at a glance: the court (Judge Boyd) accepted the defendant's waiver of jury trial; admitted State's Exhibit 1 into evidence; found the defendant guilty; and imposed the suspended sentence and probation conditions summarized above, including ordering a restitution hearing on Feb. 27.

The court's findings and conditions are recorded in the minutes and in the transcript. Any restitution the state seeks for the cited related causes must be supported by proof at the February hearing; if no restitution is presented then none will be ordered at that time.