GRIMES CO. JURY SENTENCES AUTO SHOP OWNER TO 50 YEARS IN PRISON

  

The owner of an auto repair shop in Navasota was sentenced on Thursday to 50 years in prison.

51-year-old Leonardo “Leo” Perez pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses and was sentenced after 45 minutes of deliberation by a Grimes County jury.  He must also pay a $10,000 fine. 

Perez was charged after Navasota police executed a search warrant last year at his business, R&R Auto Repair, when their search for a stolen vehicle led to them finding the vehicle partially disassembled inside the business.

The search warrant resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and over 4 pounds of marijuana.  Perez was arrested, and officers later recovered firearms he possessed. 

During the trial, prosecutors told jurors that Perez was trafficking significant amounts of drugs and was connected to the MS-13 gang.  Investigators claimed Perez’s cell phone contained hundreds of images of drugs and stolen guns.  Prosecutors further stated that Perez was not only selling illegal narcotics, but was also trading stolen guns for drugs to the cartel in Mexico. 

Perez previously pleaded guilty to second degree felony-level Possession of a Controlled Substance and pleaded true to a punishment enhancement related to a previous felony conviction for Delivery of Cocaine.

Grimes County District Attorney Andria Bender said the jury’s verdict “made it very clear how Grimes County citizens feel about drug dealers operating in their community.”