PAROLE ONCE AGAIN DENIED FOR MARCUS PENA

  

A former Austin County Tax Assessor/Collector has once again been denied parole.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles moved on December 17, 2019 to deny parole for 42-year-old Marcus Peña of Bellville.

Peña, who was also denied parole on January 7, 2019, was sentenced to ten years in prison in March 2018 for Felony Theft and Misapplication of Fiduciary Funds.  He pled guilty to charges of stealing money from the county and misusing taxpayer dollars.

As part of his punishment, Peña was also ordered to pay $275,000 in restitution.

Following his sentencing, Peña in August 2018 requested and was denied a motion to be released from prison early, and to be placed on “shock probation”.

Peña first became eligible for parole in January 2019, but was denied by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.  The three reasons given for denial then were the same ones given in the board’s latest review.

The board in its decision said Peña “has repeatedly committed criminal episodes that indicate a predisposition to commit criminal acts upon release”.  It also stated that the length of time being served by Peña “is not congruent with offense severity and criminal history”.  The board also cited a third category, “Other”, which means parole was denied for unspecified reasons.

Peña’s next parole review is scheduled for December.

You can view the board's decision here.