Harris County District Attorney

Justice for Tanesha Richards A jury has found Bruce Gerard guilty of Capital Murder. Prosecutors proved he harassed, stalked, and ultimately killed the 25-year-old Houston woman who went on a date with him one time in March 2023. Richards repeatedly told Gerard she didn't want contact with him after their initial encounter. But by December 2023, Gerard's behavior had escalated, prosecutors showed jurors. Richards filed a police report documenting Gerard’s obsession, which included nearly 100 missed calls to Richards and dozens of text messages. She had moved to a new home and told police she was afraid Gerard would find her. Six months later, he did. Gerard forced his way into Tanesha Richards' home and shot her to death on July 2, 2024.   Gerard was sentenced to life in prison without parole.    If you know someone who is the victim of Domestic Violence, there is help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Every day, our social workers stand beside our victims and survivors, empowering them, showing compassion, and guiding them through some of the hardest moments of their lives. They often go unseen by the cameras in our courtrooms, but they make the difference where it matters most: to our families navigating the criminal justice system.    Our HCDAO social workers are a lifeline.    So, on National Social Worker Day, we are especially grateful for their dedication and strength. These 12 always commit to putting others before themselves. Thank you will never be enough.

Harris County Criminal Case Backlog Eliminated x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Saddle up, Houston. It's rodeo season. In Texas, this is how we show our First Responders all the love. #FirstRespondersDay #DAseanteare #backtothecourthouseplease

Thank you @rodeohouston for hosting HCDAO and @SeanTeareHCDAO during First Responders' Day. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of our greatest traditions in Harris County. We are proud to stand (ahem, ride) alongside the men and women who work everyday to keep our community safe. Grateful for the partnership and support that helps ensure another incredible HLSR season.

Justice for a Houston mom today. Karly Kimberly Navarrete was shot to death on October 1, 2023. A jury found Ever Navarrete, her husband of 30 years, guilty of murdering her. Prosecutors presented evidence showing how Navarrete tracked down and ambushed his wife at her new home after she filed for divorce. Karly Kimberly was shot at least 11 times--in front of a family friend she considered her nephew. During trial, the couple's three children took the stand, telling the jury their father called them after the murder, saying: “I shot your mom." Now, the jury will hear evidence for the sentencing portion of trial. Navarrete could face life in prison. Domestic violence, specifically intimate partner crimes, is amongst the most serious and dangerous in our community. At this office, we have specially trained prosecutors, social workers, and support staff to handle these cases. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. There are people ready to listen and protect. In an emergency, call 911. For confidential support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Justice for Kenneth King. Terrance Short was sentenced to Life in Prison on Thursday, after a jury found him guilty of murdering King. On March 16, 2024, Short shot King multiple times, in broad daylight, then left King lying in the median along North Victory Drive. Short drove off. King later died at the hospital. Prosecutors showed the jury how police tracked Short to a nearby motel hours after the shooting. Investigators surveilled the property. When Short left the motel, officers pulled him over for a routine traffic stop. Police later found the gun Short used to murder the 43 year-old father of four in one of the motel rooms.

Justice for @HCSOTexas Deputy Joseph Anderson. Terran Green has been found guilty of Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant. On August 16, 2023 HCSO Deputy Joseph Anderson pulled over Green for speeding. Prosecutors showed jurors dash and body cam footage from that routine traffic stop, in which Green is seen repeatedly lying to the deputy, saying there were no guns in the car. Dep. Anderson asked Green for his driver’s license. Green claimed it was in the back seat and he couldn’t reach it. As Dep. Anderson attempted to retrieve the license, Green pulled out a handgun and began shooting. Dep. Anderson was hit and Green sped off. A wrecker driver and several others came to the deputy’s aid, calling 911. Dep. Anderson survived, suffering severe injuries. The sentencing portion of Green's trial is now underway. He faces 25 years to life in prison.

"We have the opportunity to impact not just Harris County--but the state, the nation, and the entire world." Couldn't have said it better, Tiana Sanford (HCDAO Bureau Chief). ^ Year one, done. Year two? Let's go. @SeanTeareHCDAO

Today, Justice for Dulce Martinez. A jury found Aldo Ramirez guilty of murdering Dulce Martinez, mother to two sons and two daughters. On October 2, 2022, Martinez walked into Ramirez’s apartment and never left. Prosecutors played surveillance video for jurors showing that walk—the last time Martinez was seen alive. Ramirez and the young mother had been in a relationship for about a year. The following day, Ramirez was seen dragging a rolled-up rug from his apartment into the trunk of Martinez’s SUV. Prosecutors say Martinez’s body was in that rug. Her vehicle was later discovered abandoned in South Houston. The mother’s remains have never been found. After deliberating for a little more than two hours, the jury found Ramirez guilty of Murder. Now, those jurors will decide Ramirez’s punishment. He faces five years to life in prison.

Black history is American history. Our continued fight for fairness, equality, and civil rights has shaped our laws, our courts, and Harris County. It challenges us to do better. It demands that justice truly means justice for EVERYONE. During Black History Month, we recognize the impact Black prosecutors have had on the pursuit for equality in our country and in our community. We are committed to fairness in every courtroom and dignity for every person. This February, we honor the legacy and people who pushed the system forward. We're recommitting ourselves to continuing their work.

Today, on National Prosecutors Day, we celebrate our own.     They are prosecutors of integrity. The ones who show up early, stay late, carry heavy caseloads, make hard decisions, always in the pursuit of justice. Your work is demanding. Often unseen. You are dogged. You are essential. You are unafraid. Your commitment is unwavering and inspiring. Thank you for standing up for survivors and victims every single day.     Because of you, our community is a safer place. Our criminal justice system is better because of your judgment.   Thank you for setting the standard of excellence, Harris County prosecutors.

Closing out Human Trafficking Awareness Month with tonight's town hall - and we want you there. Get this - 310,000+ people are sex trafficked in Texas every year.* Houston has been known to be a top city for victims. You should be able to spot the red flags. We are 133 days until the FIFA World Cup comes to Houston. Tonight's town hall is a way to understand what HCDAO and law enforcement is doing to prevent human trafficking in our city. @SeanTeareHCDAO will open the panel discussion at 6 p.m. tonight (details below). (*According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

Today, Terry Bryan Rivera, 29, has agreed to serve 50 years in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend’s son.   On March 4, 2024, Carlos Fernandez was asleep in the living room of his family’s apartment when he heard gunshots. The 12-year-old made his way towards the bedroom, where his sisters and his mother were sleeping.   Carlos was shot and killed right there in the hallway, and died in front of their bedroom door.  His sisters, Rivera’s own two daughters, were not hurt.   Investigators later discovered that minutes before the shooting, Rivera had slashed the tires on the car belonging to Carlos’ mother’s new boyfriend, who had also been asleep in the same bedroom with Mom and her two daughters.   After killing Carlos, Rivera fled. Seven days later, the then-27-year-old was arrested at the Texas-Mexico border—a wanted man for Capital Murder. By agreeing to the plea, Rivera was convicted of Murder.   Justice for Carlos Fernandez.

That’s the 2026 MLK Day Parade wrapped! HCDAO is honored to stand with our community in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy of service, justice, and equality. Your support reminds us why this work matters. We love you, Harris County.

HCDAO honors the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King challenged people to live up to their highest ideals. He reminded us that justice is measured not by laws or rules, but by how we treat each other every day. At the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Dr. King’s legacy guides us every day. We have a responsibility to pursue fairness. To hold people accountable. And to treat everyone who walks through the doors of the Criminal Justice Center with dignity. Today, we recommit to that mission.

@SeanTeareHCDAO @CrimeStopHOU Justice for Avianca. Justice for Detrihanna. Justice for Rashaunda. @CrimeStopHOU @SeanTeareHCDAO

Today, we know Timalshina is living life in Nepal. As it stands, the Nepalese government will not release him into U.S. custody. Today, @SeanTeareHCDAO and @CrimeStopHOU called for action. Teare: "My office will never ever stop looking for ways to bring him back... The Nepalese government knows that he’s right there. We know where he is. We don’t need tips. We need our government, we need the Nepalese government to do what’s right."

On July 9, 2010, Avianca Cortez (13), Detrihanna Davis (13), and Rashaunda Raleigh (17) were killed in a car crash. Detriahanna's sister, who survived the crash, took her own life less than two months later. Sajan Timalshina, the man charged in connection to this case, fled the country 15 years ago.