Judge Stephanie Boyd handles multiple pleas, a revocation and treatment orders in 187th District Court

Judge Stephanie Boyd presided over a busy docket in the 187th District Court on a morning calendar that included deferred-adjudication pleas, a revocation and multiple scheduling orders.

The most immediate outcomes included a revocation and prison sentence in one matter, deferred-adjudication dispositions in several others, and orders for drug testing and treatment evaluations. The court also granted continuances and set restitution hearings where parties requested additional time to prepare.

Decisions and scheduled actions at a glance

- Donald Lee Barnett Jr.: The court granted the State's motion to revoke community supervision after finding a violation true and sentenced Barnett to a term of incarceration. Judge Boyd announced, "The court is gonna find you guilty. The court is gonna revoke." The judge stated she would "send [you] 2 to 2 years in the prison" and give credit for time served. (Motion: Motion to enter adjudication of guilt and revoke community supervision; outcome: revocation and sentencing to 2 years; credit for time served; related parties on record.)

- Jason Bustos (sometimes listed as Jason Gustas/Bustos): The court accepted a plea and deferred finding of guilt on a case charged as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The record shows the parties submitted stipulations and the judge accepted the state's exhibits; the court ordered a PSI and a TAP evaluation and set a further hearing (trial-court certification and TAP/PSI to be completed; sentencing/next setting March 3). The transcript records the plea paperwork and acceptance of stipulations, after which the judge said she would "defer finding of guilt as you've applied for deferred adjudication." (Outcome: deferred adjudication; TAP and PSI ordered; sentencing/reset set.)

- Samantha Ladone: The court accepted the parties' plea recommending deferred adjudication and deferred finding of guilt. The state recommended deferred adjudication and restitution to Stephen Dingler in the amount of $878.88. The judge accepted the stipulations and deferred a finding of guilt; the parties waived a PSI. (Outcome: deferred adjudication with restitution $878.88; TAP evaluation requested by the State.)

- Janelyn (Jaylen) Sotomayor (listed in docket as Janelyn Sotomayor/Santamore): The court accepted a plea and deferred adjudication with conditions that include a $2,000 fine, five-year supervision recommendations from the State (TAP evaluation, 125 hours community service restitution, mental-health evaluation and MRT), and special no-contact conditions (the transcript lists an address, 1129 Austin Highway). The court accepted stipulations and deferred finding of guilt. (Outcome: deferred adjudication; $2,000 fine; conditions as described.)

- Robin Huerta Hernandez: The court found a plea of true to a probation violation (failure to report as alleged) and took additional steps rather than immediately imposing incarceration. After defense counsel described homelessness and stabilization with the defendant's fiancé, the State and defense proposed different plans (State recommended denial of the motion or safety placement and a one-year condition amendment; defense requested supportive outpatient treatment and frequent testing). Judge Boyd ordered an immediate drug test and directed the defendant be released to complete a UA and return; further proceedings were continued to allow the parties to present evidence and for the court to consider treatment alternatives. (Outcome: violation found true; drug testing ordered; court to revisit disposition after testing and additional evidence.)

- Zachary Albert Dike (Daike): The court discussed a complex arson matter that included prior competency proceedings and a jury restoration finding. The parties agreed to recall the matter for further discussion and allowed the defendant to be recalled by Zoom the following day so the court could receive additional information from the defendant's mother and others. (Outcome: matter recalled/continued for further inquiry; no final disposition entered.)

Other procedural matters and scheduling

- The docket included multiple plea-deadline and reset settings (many cases were continued to mid- or late-February and March dates so defense and the State could complete discovery, probation evaluations, TAP assessments and restitution calculations). - The court repeatedly ordered TAP evaluations (treatment assessment program) and PSI or TAP/PSI combinations where parties asked for sentencing or restitution hearings. - The court addressed several bondsman filings (affidavits to surrender surety) and directed defendants and counsel to resolve bond/contract issues with bondsmen outside the criminal calendar.

Why it matters

The court's actions illustrate how the district docket balances punishment, supervision and treatment options. Several defendants received deferred adjudication with conditions that emphasize treatment (TAP evaluations, UA testing, referrals to drug-court or specialty programs) while others with repeated failures on supervision were revoked and sentenced to incarceration. The calendar also shows the court's use of continuances and hearings to collect restitution figures and treatment assessments before deciding final dispositions.

What comes next

Cases with deferred adjudication were given follow-up dates for TAP/PSI results and restitution hearings. The Barnett revocation is final as to the court's sentence; other matters remain open pending testing, evaluations or additional evidence. Several matters were scheduled for February and March; parties will return to the 187th District Court for the listed reset dates.