Illegal immigrants convicted, sentenced in Lake Rockwall Estates assault

(Rockwall) July 28, 2013 –  On Wednesday, July 24, 2013, a Rockwall County jury convicted Rockwall residents Francisco Hernandez Godinez, 34, and his brother Salvador Hernandez, 24, of the second degree felony offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  Today, the same jury sentenced Godinez to 12 years and Hernandez to five years in the Texas State penitentiary.   Because both of the defendants are illegal immigrants, they face immediate deportation after being released from prison.

Testimony showed that on October 5, 2012, Godinez and Hernandez were verbally and sexually harassing two fifteen year old girls in the Lake Rockwall Estates subdivision.  When one of the girls’ father and brother intervened to protect the children, a fight ensued.  Alex Imgrund, the lead prosecutor in the case, presented additional evidence that during the fight, the defendants hit the unarmed Robert Ramirez, Sr., 53, and Robert Ramirez, Jr., 32, with a set of nunchucks and a wooden rod, severely injuring both victims.  Ramirez, Sr. was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and required surgery to remove a ruptured spleen.  Ramirez, Jr. needed thirteen staples to close a head wound.  The victims, who have since recovered from the incident, were present in the courtroom to testify against the defendants.

“The Rockwall Police Department arrived quickly and did an incredible job of securing a chaotic and dangerous situation,” said Imgrund, noting that the defendants barricaded themselves in a trailer after the attack.  “The officers didn’t hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the community.”

“We have worked hard to increase the level of trust between the residents of Lake Rockwall Estates and law enforcement,” said Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper.  “That trust is reinforced every time residents see law enforcement actively investigating and prosecuting the crime in their neighborhood.  Hopefully the successful resolution of this case is just one more step in that direction.”

Press release from the Rockwall County District Attorney’s Office.

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  assault, conviction, illegal immigrants, Lake Rockwall Estates, Rockwall