Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery announced that Johnny Ray James, 43, of Seminole, Texas, has pled guilty and been convicted of theft of property greater than $300,000, a first-degree felony, as well as theft of property greater than $30,000 but less than $150,000, a third-degree felony. James has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and 8 years in prison in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The sentences, for first-degree and third-degree felonies, will be served concurrently.
The case stemmed from investigations conducted by the Tri-County Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Task Force in May 2022. Reports surfaced regarding multiple high-end vehicles stolen from an auto park in Midlothian, Texas. The task force, comprising officers from the Mansfield, Burleson, Kennedale, and Midlothian Police Departments, along with the Tarrant County Constable Precinct 7, focuses on combating auto burglaries and thefts in various jurisdictions.
On May 18, 2022, a Cadillac Escalade was observed leaving a construction gate at the back of the auto park. Subsequently, two more Cadillac Escalades and two Chevrolet Suburbans were reported stolen from the same location the following day. Investigators found that one of the stolen Escalades had been used to breach a fence and was abandoned due to severe damage. However, a phone discovered at the scene led investigators to James.
On June 26, 2022, Detective Brett Clifton of the Midlothian Police Department arrested James in Cedar Hill, Texas. During questioning, James admitted to the ease of obtaining vehicles and claimed that a new $100,000 vehicle could be sold for $10,000 in Dallas.
Former task force chairperson, Ann Montgomery, emphasized the significance of law enforcement collaboration across jurisdictions in combating auto theft. She highlighted the fluidity of criminal activities involving the movement of vehicles and parts across jurisdictional lines.
Prosecution of the cases was handled by Assistant County and District Attorney Lisa Turner, with assistance from County and District Attorney Investigator Todd Woodruff. The investigations were conducted by the Tri-County Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Task Force.
