MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS FOR ASSAULT ON TWO BRENHAM POLICE OFFICERS

  

A man has been convicted and sentenced to prison after a Washington County jury found him guilty on Thursday of assaulting two Brenham police officers.

25-year-old Trayvon May was sentenced to 30 years in prison and fined $10,000 for two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer.  He also received a 10-year prison sentence and was fined $5,000 for Evading Arrest with a Vehicle.  The sentences will run concurrently. 

The charges date back to October 15, 2021, when May, who had moved to Texas from Madison, Wisconsin five months prior, escaped after being taken into custody following a traffic stop on Highway 290 for various traffic violations and possession of marijuana.  Authorities said May got back into his vehicle and struggled with Officers Armando and Andrea Guerra before knocking them down and nearly running them over.

A chase ensued on Highway 290, reaching speeds upwards of 120 miles per hour.  The pursuit ended when May crashed near Senate Avenue in Harris County.  Police reports at the time stated he injured himself after jumping about 50 feet from the Highway 290 overpass. 

Both officers were treated for minor injuries at Baylor Scott & White in Brenham and released the same evening.

At the punishment hearing Thursday afternoon, Andrea Guerra testified about the long-term effects of the incident, describing the fear and anxiety she experienced. 

May, who requested that the jury sentence him to probation, was questioned by District Attorney Julie Renken about previous arrests for evading police with a vehicle, assault and firearm possession, as well as possessing razor blades in the Washington County Jail.  At the time of the incident, May had a pending charge of fleeing police in Wisconsin.

Renken said after the trial that, “We will not tolerate those that want to harm the men and women that have been sworn to protect us.”

Full press release from Washington County District Attorney's Office:

Trayvon May, 25, of Brenham, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer and one count of Evading Arrest With a Vehicle Thursday morning and sentenced that afternoon to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each Aggravated Assault and 10 years and a $5,000 for Evading Arrest.  At trial, District Attorney Julie Renken and Assistant District Attorney Ryon Adams represented the State, and George Bishop represented the defendant.

Aggravated Assault is typically a second degree Felony, but becomes a first degree when committed against any public servant, including a peace officer.  A first degree felony has a punishment range of 5-99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  Evading With a Vehicle is a third degree felony, with a punishment range of 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

On Friday, October 15, 2021 Brenham Police Department officers Armando and Andrea Guerra were on a traffic stop with the defendant, after he was stopped on 290 West for speeding, no front license plate, and an obscured rear temporary tag.  May was placed in custody for possession of marihuana after a probable cause search was conducted of his vehicle but prior to being secured completely in the police vehicle he was able to escape the handcuffs and push pass the officers.  May got back in his vehicle, and struggled with the officers until he ultimately was able to pull away.  He knocked the officers down and almost ran them over before putting the car in reverse and almost running them over again.  May led law enforcement on a high-speed chase down 290 before wrecking out near Senate Road in Harris County driving at speeds well over 120 mph late on a Friday afternoon.

During her closing argument at the guilt-innocence portion, Renken implored the jury to “protect those have sworn to protect us.”  She highlighted May’s actions in nearly running over Armando Guerra twice as evidence of his intent to hurt them both.

At the punishment hearing, Andrea Guerra testified as to the long-term effects of the incident.  She described the lasting fear and anxiety after experiencing a close call in the line of duty. She testified that this traffic stop will stay with her the rest of her life.

The Defendant testified about his life growing up in Wisconsin and how he came to Texas in May of 2021.  In the end he requested the jury sentence him to probation.  On cross-examination, Renken questioned May about previous arrests for evading police with a vehicle, assault, and firearm possession, as well as possessing razor blades in the Washington County Jail. At the time of the incident, May had a pending charge of Fleeing Police in Wisconsin.

Renken reminded the jury, during her closing, “after only five months in Texas on October 15, 2021 he drove through our county, and endangered our police officers and citizens.” The jury returned after short deliberations with the sentence.

Afterward, Renken commented, “I’m proud of our jury for sending the message that in Washington County it is not open season on our law enforcement.  We will not tolerate those that want to harm the men and women that have been sworn to protect us.”