A Tarrant County jury recently found 33-year-old Mario Gonzales, Jr. guilty of Evading Arrest/Detention with a vehicle and sentenced him to 44 years in prison.
On June 4, 2023, North Richland Hills Police officers identified a stolen vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Gonzales fled, prompting officers to deploy stop sticks, which caused him to crash and stop. During the arrest, Gonzales assaulted a police officer before being taken into custody.
After being taken to the Tarrant County Jail, Gonzales became combative during booking, requiring restraint by deputies.
In addition to the Evading Arrest charge, Gonzales was charged with 9 counts of Harassment by a Person in a Correction Facility, as well as Assaulting a Public Servant. He has been incarcerated since June 6, 2023, at the Lon Evans Corrections Center.
The jury learned that Gonzales is a habitual offender, with prior convictions for assault family violence in Dallas and Tarrant Counties. The case was prosecuted by Emily Nicklas and Alec Trono.
