PAROLE DENIED FOR MARCUS PENA
(Austin Co. Jail)
A former Austin County Tax Assessor-Collector has been denied parole.
Earlier this month, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for the 41-year-old Marcus Peña, of Bellville.
In March of 2018, Peña was sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to pay $275,000 in restitution, for felony Theft and Misapplication of Fiduciary Funds. He pled guilty to charges of stealing money from the county and misusing taxpayer dollars.
Peña filed a motion in August for early release on “shock probation”, which was denied. He became eligible for parole this month, which the Board of Pardons and Paroles denied for three reasons.
According to the Board, the record showed that Peña has “repeatedly committed criminal episodes that indicate a predisposition to commit criminal acts upon release”.
In addition, the Board stated that the length of time being served by Peña is not consistent with the severity of the offense and his criminal history.
The Board also cited a third category, “other”, in parole review, which indicates Peña was denied parole for unspecified reasons.
Peña’s next parole review is scheduled for January 2020. You can view the Board's actions through the link below.