Spencer Orlando Gilbert II has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of 20-year-old Jaden Moblin from Cleburne. The 413th District Court Judge, William C. Bosworth, Jr., approved the District Attorney’s recommended punishment, which also included maximum sentences for additional charges of Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Gilbert, aged 20, is mandated to serve at least half of the 55-year sentence and will not be eligible for parole until 2051.
The incident occurred on April 16, 2023, around 12:25 AM, when Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting at a residence on County Road 913 in Godley. Jaden Moblin was found shot multiple times in the backyard during a post-Prom party attended by about 50 individuals. Moblin succumbed to his injuries on April 19th in a Fort Worth hospital.
Johnson County Detectives, investigating the case, collected multiple videos depicting a fight before the shooting and discovered Instagram posts from accounts linked to Gilbert, showing him with the murder weapon and boasting about the incident. Gilbert and another individual fled the scene after the shooting, heading towards Houston. Cooperation between law enforcement agencies led to Gilbert's arrest in Houston after a brief high-speed chase, during which he crashed and attempted to flee on foot. The search of Gilbert's vehicle revealed multiple firearms, including the weapon used in Moblin's murder.
During an interview with Texas Rangers, Gilbert admitted to the shooting and bragging about it on Instagram. A comprehensive investigation involving video surveillance, cellphone data, Google Location Services, and social media accounts linked to Gilbert and others was conducted by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, and the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office commended the exemplary work of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, specifically Detectives Calvin Miller and Colby Anderson, and the invaluable contribution of Texas Ranger Trace Turner. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Staton and Christy May.
Additionally, the District Attorney acknowledged the selflessness of Jaden Moblin, who, as an organ donor, contributed to saving or improving the lives of three individuals he never had the chance to meet.