BRENHAM MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON

  

A Brenham man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

Braylon Cloud, 35, of Brenham, was sentenced by the Court to 25 years in prison late Friday afternoon after a 2-day bench trial.  Cloud was indicted in November of 2016 for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender.

Due to the nature of Cloud’s previous conviction for a sex offense, he is required to register as a sex offender and renew or verify that registration every 90 days for the rest of his life.  Cloud’s criminal history, including Federal convictions for bank robbery, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting, in addition to the 2 convictions for Sexual Assault of a Child, enhanced the offense to Habitual Felony Offender status with a punishment range of 25-99 years, or life, in prison.

After the sentence was pronounced, Assistant District Attorney Lauren Haevischer explained, “Failing to register seems very technical and at times petty, however, the requirements are there to protect society from sex offenders.”

Full Press Release from the District Attorney's Office:

Braylon Cloud, 35, of Brenham, was sentenced by the Court to 25 years in prison late Friday afternoon after a 2-day bench trial.  Judge Terry Flenniken presided as visiting judge over the trial in the District Court.  Assistant District Attorney Lauren Haevischer represented the State at trial, and Scott Ballard and Zack Coufal, of Brenham, represented the Defendant.

Cloud was indicted on November 29, 2016 for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender.   Due to the nature of Cloud’s previous conviction for a sex offense, he is required to register as a sex offender and renew or verify that registration every 90 days for the rest of his life.  As charged, the offense is a second degree felony carrying a punishment range of 2-20 years in prison.  Cloud’s criminal history, including Federal convictions for bank robbery, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting, in addition to the 2 convictions for Sexual Assault of a Child, enhanced the offense to Habitual Felony Offender status with a punishment range of 25-99 years, or life, in prison.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division oversees regular compliance checks for sex offenders statewide.  They coordinate with local law enforcement where sex offenders are required to report.  In August of 2016, DPS-CID Agent Rebecca Salazar was working with officers from the Brenham Police Department to verify Braylon Cloud’s compliance with the registration requirements.   Cloud was not present at his listed residence, and the primary resident told the officers that Cloud had moved to Austin in June.  Cloud had not listed any new address, nor had he told either the Brenham Police Department or the Austin Police Department of the change, as required by law.

At trial, there was additional testimony that Cloud presently lives in the City of Brenham, despite having been recently arrested in Travis County.  Agent Salazar testified that Cloud has not registered with any agency in the State of Texas since July of 2016.

After the sentence was pronounced, Haevischer explained, “Failing to register seems very technical and at times petty, however, the requirements are there to protect society from sex offenders.  If we know where they are, what they drive, who they live with, and so on, there’s a level of accountability and safety for the community.”  “In this case,” she continued, “no one knew where Mr. Cloud lived.  Law enforcement, and, more importantly, the victims of his prior offense had no way of knowing where he was.”

Asked about the sentence, District Attorney Julie Renken commented, “25 may be the minimum, but while he’s in custody there’s no danger to our citizens.”  She echoed Haevischer’s sentiment about the requirements, “It’s vital that law enforcement and the general public have this kind of information about sex offenders, and DPS does an excellent job with their compliance checks.  Our office will continue to prosecute cases against those offenders who feel it unnecessary to comply with the requirements set by the Legislature.”