Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer

A man in Tyler, Texas has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for possession of marijuana.

The 54 year-old Tyler resident, Henry Walter Wooten, was stopped by police on March 4th. Law enforcement officers caught Wooten with 4.6 ounces of marijuana in his possession. Wooten was pulled over within 1000 feet of Ebenezer Day Care Center, which added to his charges.

A Department of Public Safety official testified in Wooten’s trial. The DPS forensic chemist testified that 4.6 ounces of marijuana was seized from Wooten, but the packaging itself weight 1.06 ounces.

In Texas possession of marijuana under four ounces is a misdemeanor, above four ounces however is a felony, which could result in 2 years in prison. Wooten’s proximity to the day care however meant he was in a ‘drug free zone’. Richard Vance, the Smith County Assistant District Attorney asked the jury to return a sentence of 99 years in Wooten’s case.

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in Texas, please contact the Austin criminal defense attorney Ian Inglis by calling 512-472-1950.