William “Smokey” Lee was convicted by a Montgomery County jury of violating the sex offender registration requirements on Wednesday in the 221st District Court. Judge Lisa Michalk presided over the trial of the case. Tammy Adamo-Massa and Jo Ann Linzer prosecuted the case. Smokey Lee was classified as a habitual felon facing a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison.
Mrs. Adamo-Massa told the jury that Smokey Lee was released to Montgomery County on parole on March 19, 2010 for a 99 year sentence out of Dallas County for Indecency with a Child enhanced with a prior rape conviction. Texas law requires sex offenders to register in their new county of residence within seven days of release. Mrs. Adamo-Massa stated that he failed to register within that seven day period, but did get a reset with his parole officer. He failed to show for his second appointment with the registration authorities, but did report to his parole officer. Evidence showed that his parole officer also told him that he needed to register. Smokey Lee also failed to take his parole officer’s advice.
Mrs. Adamo-Massa stated that, fortunately for the citizens of Montgomery County, Detective James Glisson with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was working the case. Glisson investigated the case and obtained enough evidence to file charges and assist the prosecution in obtaining a conviction. Glisson works with a special unit at the sheriff’s office that investigates this type of violation. The jury agreed with Glisson and the prosecution after a few short hours of deliberation by finding him guilty and assessing a life sentence after hearing of his other convictions including rape and aggravated robbery. Mrs. Adamo-Massa stated that she was pleased with the jury’s verdict and that this conviction will assure that Smokey Lee will never be on the streets of Montgomery County again. District Attorney, Brett Ligon, stated that he was extremely proud of the prosecution and the sheriff’s office for their diligence in this case and that the jury sent a very strong message that this law will be used to make sure the county is as safe as possible from pedophiles.