A repeat offender / career drug dealer was sentenced to life in prison in Montgomery County on Wednesday, despite the efforts of his defense attorney – former District Attorney Mike McDougal.
Last July, Willis Officer Bryan Skero stopped a 1997 Hyundai in the 100 block of Lincoln Ridge. The black male fled on foot into the woods with the officer in pursuit.
Once in the woods the suspect attempted to strike Skero in the head but the officer was able to deflect it injuring his arm, They began to wrestle on the ground at which point Skero was able to tase the suspect identified as Billy Jack Cobbs, Jr. Even though he was tased he was still able to flee.
The officer was treated and released ay Conroe Regional Medical Center for his injuries.
Alan Hunter, Scott Davis, and other MCSO detectives received a tip from one of Cobbs’ long-time customers and on November 3, 2009, they executed a search warrant at the Willis home Cobbs was using to manufacture and sell crack cocaine. A search of the home yielded 40 grams of powder cocaine hidden inside a wall and 1.16 grams of crack cocaine elsewhere in the house. Detectives also found multiple items used to cook, weigh, and package crack cocaine. According to MCSO Detective Don Likens, there was enough cocaine in the home to get 750 people high.Cobbs was not at the home when the search warrant was executed.
During his two-day trial in the 221st District Court of Lisa Michalk, Prosecutors Sheri Culberson and Adrienne Frazior presented evidence to a jury that deliberated for only three hours before returning a guilty verdict.
He was arrested on November 18, 2009 and held on two counts of Manufacture/ Delivery Possession of a Controlled Substance of less than 200grams. Also of Possession of less than 1 gram and Possession of greater than 4 grams. A Blue Warrant had been issued seeking to revoke his parole. He was also charged with Assault on Officer Skero.
Cobb has an extensive criminal history and is well-known to law enforcement. In 1995 Oak Ridge Police arrested him on Possession of a controlled substance, as did Willis Police and he was given 5 years TDC probated for 3 years which was later revoked. On November 18, 1999 Willis Police arrested him on Possession of Marijuana. On February 12 , 2004 Over the years several more were filed on him.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice was like second home to him. On February 20, 1996 he reported on his May 11, 1995 charge. On August 29, 2005 he started his sentence for the October 31, 2004 case. Seven more times over the years he was incarcerated in TDCJ.
Prosecutors presented evidence to the judge about Cobbs’s extensive criminal history and Culberson argued that “Cobbs has made a living off pushing this kind of poison on our community. He has proven that he does not deserve to be among the rest of us.”
Defense attorney Mike McDougal argued for leniency, but it fell on deaf ears in light of all the information provided by prosecutors.
In assessing Cobbs’s punishment, Judge Michalk told Cobbs that after being given chance after chance to redeem himself his chances were over and sentenced him to the maximum sentence available.
“Billy Jack Cobbs peddled cocaine in this community for years and received minimum punishments,” said District Attorney Brett Ligon. “Judge Michalk put law enforcement and the citizens of this county first by sentencing him to prison for life. We appreciate the jury in this case and the judge for doing the right thing.”
