On Friday, August 26, 2016 Judge Patty Maginnis in the 435th District Court sentenced Ebeneser Benny
Morones to Life in prison on four felony charges: Aggravated Assault Public Servant, Possession with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon, and Evading with a Motor Vehicle. This was after a jury of Montgomery County citizens found him guilty just a week prior. The life sentences are for offenses that occurred on August 8, 2015.
Morones was the back passenger in a car that was being pulled over for speeding on Highway 59 near FM 1314. Woodbranch Police Officer Robert Rodriguez attempted the traffic stop when Morones began shooting at the officer while hanging out of the passenger window as the vehicle was traveling at speeds between 80 to 100 miles per hour. The Woodbranch patrol vehicle was disabled when bullets were lodged into the windshield and hood of the car. Montgomery County Constable Precinct 4 Deputy Jeff Buchanan continued the pursuit which lasted for approximately 17 miles into Harris County and ended near Highway 59 at Hopper Road. While Morones fired multiple shots at Deputy Buchanan, one of the bullets hit another moving vehicle and piercing through that windshield as the chase continued. Three other suspects were in the fleeing vehicle and ran after the car crashed into a ditch.
Morones exited the vehicle before it came to a stop and was not apprehended until several hours later. When arrested Morones was in possession of the M1 30 carbine rifle used to shoot at the police officers involved. Precinct 4 also located five other firearms and approximately 19 grams of methamphetamines with digital scales and small bags for selling where Morones was seated in the vehicle.
During the punishment phase of the trial, Assistant District Attorney Rochelle Guiton presented evidence that the Defendant had previously been convicted of Assault Family Violence – Enhanced and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, making him a habitual offender facing 25-99 or life punishment range for each count. He was also previously convicted of a number of misdemeanor offenses for similar offenses, Evading Arrest and Assault Family Violence. Morones is also a member of the Houston Tango Blast gang, which has a reputation as a dangerous prison gang.
This case was a multi-agency effort to get a violent man off the streets. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and SWAT, Houston Police Department, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Texas
Rangers, and Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in investigating this case and apprehending the offenders. The driver, Javier Alquicira, took a 25 year prison plea prior to this trial.
Assistant District Attorney Rochelle Guiton: “I am excited that the Judge and jury were able to see how dangerous of a person Ebeneser Morones really is. I am also especially proud of the multi-agency response, their efforts to work together to apprehend criminals, and the courage they put forth each day to keep our citizens safe.”
District Attorney Brett Ligon: “It is a scary time for law enforcement agencies and officers. And in this case, the lives of officers and innocent bystanders were at risk because this habitual felon decided to shoot at police to try and get away. It is a miracle that no one was killed. This type of violence against police and innocent civilians will not be tolerated in Montgomery County.”
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