Magistrate sets bonds and release conditions for multiple arrestees; one denied personal bond due to immigration detainer

Judge Bigarito explained criminal defendants’ rights, described options for release and set bond amounts or personal bonds for a group of arrestees at a magistrate hearing in Travis County on Oct. 12, 2025. The judge denied a personal bond for one arrestee who had an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer and ordered special conditions, including a GPS monitor and a 6 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew, for another defendant facing multiple family-violence-related felony charges.

In a routine preliminary proceeding, the magistrate told defendants they were “presumed innocent unless proven guilty” and outlined four ways people can leave custody: a personal bond, paying the full cash bond, using a bail bondsman, or hiring an attorney to seek release. “You’ll have an opportunity to talk to an attorney before making any decisions on how to handle your case,” Judge Bigarito said.

Why it matters: bond settings and release conditions determine whether arrestees remain in custody while cases proceed, affect access to attorneys, and in one case triggered transfer to federal immigration authorities rather than local release.

Key outcomes and conditions

- Sinoway Villafana Villanueva: Charged with a Class A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, bond set at $2,000. Judge Bigarito said an immigration detainer was present and “because of that immigration restriction, you're not going to get a personal bond.” If Villanueva or someone posts the $2,000 in cash or uses a bondsman or lawyer to secure release, the arrestee will be transferred to immigration authorities rather than released locally.

- Matthew Angel Contreras: Charged with a Class A misdemeanor for assault causing bodily injury to a family or household member; bond listed at $3,000 but Judge Bigarito granted a personal bond, allowing release without paying, contingent on appearing for future court dates.

- Steven McFarland: Charged with Class B misdemeanor criminal trespass; bond set at $500 but the judge granted a personal bond. The judge warned McFarland to show up for scheduled court dates and ordered him not to return to 5005 Manor Road.

- Matthew Jones: Charged with a state jail felony for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, bond set at $10,000; Judge Bigarito granted a personal bond based on a limited prior record, permitting release without posting cash.

- Devren Haynes: Charged with Class B misdemeanor criminal trespass, bond $100; judge granted a personal bond and ordered that Haynes not return to any University of Texas premises.

- Gerard Hayes: Charged with Class B misdemeanor criminal trespass, bond $100; judge granted a personal bond and ordered Hayes not to return to the H‑E‑B property at 7301 North FM 620, including the parking lot. Hayes told the court he believed his car had been stolen prior to the incident; the magistrate directed him to discuss factual details with his lawyer and file a police report for a stolen vehicle if appropriate.

- Thomas Alford: Facing four charges — two new third-degree felony counts (assault causing bodily injury to a family member; violation of a protective order) and two previously charged felonies whose bonds were revoked and increased — the magistrate set new bond amounts and conditions totaling $120,000 across the cases. Specifically, bonds on two previously bonded cases were revoked and increased to $30,000 (third-degree felony assault causing bodily injury to a family member) and $10,000 (evading arrest, state jail felony). The two new third-degree felony charges carry $40,000 bonds each, for $80,000 in new bonds and $120,000 total. The judge imposed an emergency protective order prohibiting contact with the named protected person, a 200‑yard exclusion from 7311 Tumbleweed Drive (address in Austin), a ban on possessing firearms or ammunition, and required a GPS monitor and a 6 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew to be installed before release. The magistrate said the emergency protective order will last two months, until March 9, and other bond conditions remain in effect while the cases are pending.

Courtroom procedure and next steps

Judge Bigarito explained the probable-cause standard used to hold defendants for charges based on sworn officer statements and noted defendants can request an examining trial if charged with a felony. He also reminded noncitizen arrestees they may request consular contact. Defendants granted personal bonds were told their first court dates would be printed on their release paperwork and that failure to appear could lead to rearrest and forfeiture of posted money.

The magistrate repeatedly advised defendants not to discuss the facts of their cases on the record and to consult their attorneys about whether evidence or allegations might be contested. Several defendants accepted court-appointed counsel; others said they would hire private attorneys.