187th District Court processes long docket: pleas, specialty‑court referrals and multiple sentences

The 187th District Court held a lengthy docket call and resolved a string of plea hearings and sentencing matters on Feb. 3, 2025, managing cases ranging from felony drug possession and family‑violence matters to a first‑degree murder plea.

Judge called each matter, confirmed plea agreements and reviewed PSI/TAP evaluations where ordered. Notable dispositions included Anisha Gifford’s plea, accepted by the court with a sentence of six years deferred adjudication; Adalia Saabs’s no‑contest plea and referral to Esperanza Court, with a 12‑month sentence suspended and probated for two years pending transfer; and Constance Seinwell’s no‑contest plea in a first‑degree murder case, for which the court imposed a 30‑year term and found an affirmative deadly‑weapon and family‑violence finding.

Several defendants were placed on lengthy probation with conditions. Charlie Marquez’s cases were resolved with an eight‑year sentence suspended and probated (conditions include regular reporting by Zoom or in person, random drug testing, GPS monitoring to be installed after medical clearance, 200 hours of community‑service restitution, and parenting classes). Gabriel Pazana received 13 months in a state‑jail facility with credit for time served and a $2,000 fine. Maria Cisneros’s plea resulted in six years suspended and probated, sobriety supports and 200 community service hours, plus $180 restitution to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Where specialty treatment was appropriate, the court referred defendants to Esperanza Court or felony drug court for intensive supervision and treatment; the judge noted that that program would assume control of conditions if it accepted a participant.

The court repeatedly emphasized compliance with no‑contact orders and probation rules, warning that violations could lead to revocation and imprisonment. The docket included multiple resets for discovery and contested hearings; the judge recessed at noon for a jury trial starting at 1:30 p.m.

At a glance (selected disposals from the docket): - Anisha Gifford (2023CR05888): 6 years deferred adjudication (deferred sentence). - Charlie Marquez (2025CR015638 et al.): 8 years suspended and probated; conditions include GPS, random UAs, 200 hours community service and parenting classes; CPS compliance required. - Adalia Saabs (2025CR013374): 12 months in state jail suspended and probated for 2 years; referral to Esperanza Court; 200 hours community service; $1,500 fine. - Gabriel Pazana (2025CR013303): 13 months state jail; $2,000 fine. - Maria Cisneros (2024CR012899): 6 years suspended and probated; sobriety supports, parenting class and 200 community service hours; $180 restitution to DPS. - Constance Seinwell (2024CR012889): 30 years prison; $1,500 fine; deadly‑weapon and family‑violence findings.

The court record shows the judge routinely offered therapeutic‑community recommendations for defendants with substance‑use issues and highlighted the limited authority of the bench to place a defendant in a program — transfers or placements must be arranged by corrections or specialty courts.

The court scheduled follow‑ups and resets for several matters, and asked probation and defense counsel to coordinate transfers and medical accommodations for GPS installation where necessary. The docket will return on scheduled dates in February and March for trials, plea deadlines, and progress checks.