SAN MARCOS, Texas – The office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced that 29-year-old Izaiah Vela, formerly of Martindale, was sentenced to 75 years in prison by a jury on Jan. 21, 2026. On Jan. 15, 2025, a Hays County jury found Vela guilty of one count of sexual assault of a child. The evidence showed that the defendant met his minor victim over Instagram, admitted he knew she was underage, and convinced her to meet him with the promise of free marijuana. Once they met and he provided her with the marijuana, he then “did what he wanted” to the victim. The evidence showed that he repeatedly displayed a firearm during the course of the assault, including holding it against the victim’s back. Afterward, he admitted the offense over Instagram messages with the victim, and he attempted to set up another meeting with her for the same purpose. He later deleted the entire message conversation and performed a factory reset on his phone before he was arrested. After the jury returned a guilty verdict, the case proceeded to the punishment phase before the same jury. Evidence was introduced that Vela was a career criminal, having been convicted of three counts of burglary of a motor vehicle and having been sent to prison twice, once for evading arrest with a motor vehicle and once for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Evidence also showed that he was dealing marijuana around the time of the sexual assault case. The evidence in the punishment phase showed that a couple of months after the primary offense, the defendant repeatedly sold fentanyl pills to numerous individuals, most of them high school students in Hays County, including to a 15-year-old high school sophomore. After buying seven fentanyl pills from the defendant at a discounted price, that young person died on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, from fentanyl toxicity, only to be found by her mother the next morning when she went to wake her daughter up for school. Vela was tied to her death and the other drug sales by his Instagram messages, his CashApp transactions and by FLOCK camera images. Once he was aware of her overdose, the defendant deleted his messages with her, as well as his entire Instagram account that he used to sell fentanyl. The defendant was subsequently arrested when he went to report to his parole officer in November of 2023, as he was on parole for his firearm conviction at the time. After hearing all this testimony, the jury sentenced the defendant to 75 years in prison with no fine. Judge Steel of the 274 th District Court presided over the trial and accepted the jury’s verdicts. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Daniel Sakaida and Cassidy Story prosecuted the case. The ADAs were assisted in this case by Victim Assistance Coordinator Sandra Groters, Legal Assistants Avery Slocum and Cristina Kearbey and District Attorney’s Office Sgt. Investigators Robert Torres and Matthew Grantham. This case in chief was investigated by the San Marcos Police Department’s Detective Caitlyn Bennett, Detective Crystal Benavides, Officer Franco Stewart, Detective Kevin Blackwood and Crime Analyst Patrica Hom. The fentanyl case was investigated by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Christopher Adams, Deputy Andres Vega, Deputy Adam Krueger, Detective Nelson Wray, Detective Chase Fuller, Deputy Paul Mooney, Deputy Ian Alcorn, Deputy Joshua Larson, Deputy Brian Burgdorf, Custodian Kristi White and Evidence Technician Johnna Martone. “The defendant preyed on vulnerable minors in Hays County in the worst ways possible,” Sakaida said. “He saw minors as easy, manipulable clients for his drug sales and as targets for his sexual desires. The jury recognized the damage he inflicted on our community, and they made the right decision to put him away effectively for the rest of his life. Nothing can truly fix the pain left in the defendant’s wake, but this verdict is justice for his victims.” # # #

SAN MARCOS, Texas — On Jan. 6, 2026, the Hays County Commissioners Court took final action to approve a Jail-Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) Program aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis in the criminal justice system while reducing lengthy jail stays for individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial. The Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve the program. “We have worked on this initiative for a long time, and our partnership with Hill Country, our mental health authority, has been exceptional," agenda item sponsor and Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. "This is a curriculum-driven, evaluative, and therapeutic restoration program that will provide meaningful services and support to individuals in need." Under Texas law, individuals must be competent to proceed in court, meaning they can understand the charges against them, assist their defense attorney, and meaningfully participate in their legal strategy. Currently, individuals who are found incompetent often face long delays awaiting placement in a state hospital for treatment. In the Hays County Jail, delays can stretch to nearly 300 days. “This is a major issue not just in Hays County, but across our state and country,” said Landon Campbell, Division Chief, Assistant Criminal District Attorney. “Right now, people are sitting in our jail, not moving forward with their cases, not able to defend themselves, and simply waiting for treatment.” The newly approved program enables Hays County to collaborate with its local mental health authority to offer competency restoration services directly within the Hays County Jail, thereby eliminating the need to wait for placement in the state hospital system. “Jail-Based Competency Restoration short-circuits a system that is not meeting the needs of our community,” Campbell said. “Instead of waiting nearly a year for treatment, we can provide those services right here, right now.” The program is designed not to push individuals more quickly through the justice system, but to connect them with appropriate care and expand access to diversion and treatment-focused court options. The Commissioners Court also emphasized the program's fiscal responsibility. Housing an individual in jail for approximately 300 days can cost taxpayers an estimated $45,000, often without any progress toward treatment or case resolution. “We’re spending significant taxpayer dollars while getting nothing in return,” Judge Ruben Becerra said. “Anything we can do to shorten that timeline is absolutely worth pursuing.” The program will be funded through a state grant awarded to Hill Country Mental Health, which will embed forensic mental health professionals within the Hays County Jail to provide curriculum-driven, therapeutic and evaluative competency restoration services. The county’s primary financial responsibility will be related to medications, which will be provided through existing jail healthcare contracts. Michelle Zaumeyer, Director of Forensic Services for Hill Country MHDD Centers, said similar programs have shown strong results. “In our neighboring county, we’re seeing a 75% success rate in restoring competency within 60 days or less, sometimes even within 30 days,” Zaumeyer said. “This partnership has the potential to make a real difference for the 24 individuals currently waiting for services in Hays County.” Officials expressed appreciation for the collaboration among the Commissioners Court, Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Hill Country Mental Health, and jail medical provider Wellpath LLC. "I am pleased that we have reached a point where there is a shared understanding of the significant benefits this program will deliver,” Ingalsbe said. The Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program is expected to begin implementation in the coming months, with county officials committed to providing updates as it moves forward. ###

SAN MARCOS, Texas — On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Hays County Commissioners Court accepted a $10,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to support the operations of the Hays County Mental Health Court (MHC). According to MHC Administrator Kaimi Mattila, the grant will enable Mental Health Court attorneys — essential members of the MHC team — to assist eligible program graduates with the expungement of their criminal records. The funding will cover the cost of specialized expungement training to ensure attorneys are well-prepared to provide this service, as well as fair compensation for their time. “This grant allows our graduates to move forward with their lives after completing the program, without their criminal background creating barriers to housing and employment,” said Mattila. “It’s a significant step forward, as the court previously lacked the resources to train and compensate attorneys for expungement services, even though many graduates qualify.” The Hays County Mental Health Court, overseen by Judge Elaine Brown in County Court at Law #3, focuses on early identification of individuals with mental health, substance use, and/or intellectual or developmental challenges. By connecting participants with evidence-based treatment options, the program aims to reduce criminal justice involvement and support long-term recovery. MHC fosters collaboration among the courts, treatment providers and community resources to reduce recidivism and promote stability. Currently, the program serves 35 participants and boasts a 93% success rate. Since its inception, MHC has graduated 36 individuals, including 10 who were honored during the most recent commencement ceremony on Dec. 8. The program offers a wide range of services tailored to participants’ needs, including sober living arrangements, transitional and group housing, transportation assistance, benefits navigation, peer support, substance use treatment, family support and specialized therapies. Program duration is typically one year for individuals with misdemeanor charges and 18 months for those with felony charges, with a possible three-month extension at the judge’s discretion. Throughout their time in the program, participants engage in individualized treatment plans, attend regular court hearings, and work closely with providers to achieve their recovery goals. Since 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to law-related initiatives. Funded by members of the State Bar of Texas, it is the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the nation. With this new funding, MHC can now offer graduates a fresh start — helping them move forward without being defined by their past. “When a criminal record is expunged or sealed, it’s removed from public view,” Mattila explained. “This reduces the long-term consequences of past charges, opening doors to better job opportunities, stable housing, educational access and professional licensure. It also helps reduce the social stigma associated with having a record — even for low-level or resolved cases. These improvements in stability and opportunity ultimately contribute to safer communities.”  Judge Brown added, “We are better able to assist some of our graduates with this grant and are very appreciative of this opportunity.” For more information regarding the Hays County Mental Health Court, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/mental-health-court.

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Hays County is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Jones as the new Director of Transportation, effective Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. With more than a decade of service to Hays County and extensive experience in roadway construction and maintenance, Jones brings an exceptional understanding of county operations and a strong commitment to serving the community. Jones began his career in the private sector, working for a contractor specializing in the construction of subdivisions as well as city, county and state roadways. In May 2013, he joined Hays County as the Road Maintenance Superintendent and has been a key contributor to transportation planning and maintenance initiatives ever since. “I was initially drawn to Hays County by the opportunity to serve the community I live in,” Jones said. “Being part of this team for the past several years has given me invaluable knowledge of county operations and strong working relationships with other departments, local partners and residents. All of this has uniquely prepared me to take on this new role.” As Director of Transportation, Jones will oversee the planning and maintenance of the County’s roadway system, helping ensure that the transportation network meets the needs of both current and future residents. His priorities include strengthening collaboration across departments and agencies, continuing to support the dedicated staff within the Transportation Department and integrating new technologies that will improve roadway asset management and long-term planning. “My top priority is to continue providing safe, reliable roadways while preparing for the future,” Jones said. “I’m looking forward to implementing new tools and technologies that will help us better manage our infrastructure and plan for growth.” Jones noted that one of the biggest challenges facing Hays County is the rapid pace of growth and development. “The speed at which the County and surrounding areas are expanding presents significant challenges for transportation,” Jones said. “By working closely with our communities, staff and state and local partners, we can identify needs early and deliver the projects that will sustain our county’s mobility for years to come.” Hays County congratulates Jones on his appointment and looks forward to his continued leadership in supporting a safe and efficient transportation system for all Hays County residents. For more information, visit https://www.hayscountytx.gov/transportation.

SAN MARCOS, Texas — On Dec. 1, 2025, Hays County welcomed a new Budget Officer, Scot Woodland, who brings notable experience in public finance and a strong record of service within the County Auditor’s Office. Inspired by his father’s service in the U.S. Air Force from an early age, Woodland has long valued public service and its impact on local communities. After earning two degrees and beginning his career in public accounting, Woodland sought a path that would allow him to follow in his father’s footsteps. For the past three and a half years, Woodland has served Hays County in the Auditor’s Office, first as Accounting Manager and later as the First Assistant County Auditor. In these roles, he gained extensive knowledge of the County’s financial structure, revenue budgeting and overall budget cycle. Woodland also reviewed the work of the previous Budget Officer and built strong professional relationships across departments. “Having already learned so much about Hays County’s finances, I can now focus fully on mastering the budget process and ensuring a smooth transition,” Woodland said. "The County’s most significant financial challenge is navigating a period of slower-than-usual growth paired with lower property value appreciation. Addressing this challenge will require strategic planning and efficiency improvements." Woodland's connection to Hays County began earlier in his career, when he worked with the County as an independent auditor. Woodland was impressed by the County’s strong financial controls and by the people who dedicated themselves to public service. Later, as Woodland sought a position that involved less travel than public accounting, Hays County was at the top of his list. As Budget Officer, Woodland's responsibilities will include protecting public funds through efficient operations, ensuring that expenditures remain within approved appropriations and working closely with County departments to maintain accurate and responsible budgeting practices. Looking ahead, Woodland is eager to build new relationships across County departments, contribute to long-term planning efforts and promote financial efficiencies that support responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Woodland's top priorities for the Budget Office include maintaining strong reserve levels during challenging economic conditions, enhancing transparency and communication through regular updates at Commissioners Court and upholding the high standards of excellence established by outgoing Budget Officer Vickie Dorsett. “I look forward to being an integral part of the County’s future planning,” Woodland said. “My goal is to ensure that Hays County remains financially strong while continuing to meet the needs of our growing community.” For more information, visit https://www.hayscountytx.gov/budget-office or contact 512-393-2275. ###

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced that 21-year-old Izaac Elmore-Carson of Austin was sentenced to 40 years in prison for delivery of fentanyl and 20 years in prison for possession with intent to deliver heroin on Dec. 2, 2025. On Sept. 22, 2025, Elmore-Carson pleaded guilty to delivery of fentanyl and possession with intent to deliver heroin with the agreement that District Judge Bruce Boyer of the 22 nd Judicial District Court would decide punishment between a range of 10 to 50 years in prison. The sentencing hearing occurred on Dec. 2, 2025. The State presented evidence that Elmore-Carson was one of the largest suppliers of fentanyl to drug dealers in Hays County. He was involved in extensive drug dealing within the county, as well as dealing firearms and illegal firearm switches. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Judge Boyer stated that he had a duty to protect the community as he issued his sentence. This case was investigated by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Unit and was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Miranda Ebersole and Elizabeth Schmidt. Ebersole stated, “Fentanyl remains a problem in our community and is of high priority to this office. Local law enforcement noted the decline of fentanyl’s availability within our community after this defendant’s arrest. We will continue to support the efforts of law enforcement to stem the flow of this dangerous drug into the hands of our youth.” # # #

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The County announced today that a special Dedication Ceremony of the John Coffee “Jack” Hays Collection, a tribute to the legendary figure and namesake of the County, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, in the rotunda of the Government Center, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, in San Marcos. This meaningful event will celebrate the life and legacy of Jack Hays, whose contributions continue to shape the spirit and identity of the Hays County community. Historical pieces such as a 30-inch-tall cast of John Coffee Hays, an archival pigmented print of the Matthew Brady portrait and two highly collectible badges will be on display. The collection has been generously donated by Kate Johnson, former Chair of the Hays County Historical Commission from 1993-2023. Event Details: Light Refreshments: Available beginning at 10 a.m. Ceremony: Begins promptly at 11 a.m. Location: Rotunda of the Government Center This ceremony is open to all community members and Hays County staff to honor the proud heritage and the enduring impact of Jack Hays. ###

San Marcos, Texas – Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra invites the community to the annual Hays County Courthouse Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Hays County Historic Courthouse. The event will celebrate the holiday season with music, lights, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Evening Program: • 6:15 PM — San Marcos High School Orchestra • 6:40 PM — Santa Arrival & Courthouse Lighting Countdown • 7:00 PM — San Marcos Mariachi • 7:30 PM — Lehman High School Choir • 8:00 PM — Lehman High School Mariachi Santa Claus will be available for photos, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own cameras to capture holiday memories. “This event is a cherished tradition that brings our community together,” said Judge Ruben Becerra. “We look forward to celebrating the season with music, lights, and holiday cheer for families of all ages.” Location: Hays County Historic Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX Admission: Free and open to the public # # #

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced that 30-year-old Isaac Aguirre, formerly of San Marcos, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by District Court Judge Sherri Tibbe on Nov. 25, 2025. A Hays County jury found Aguirre guilty on Sept. 30, 2025, of seven felonies, which included continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years of age, sexual assault of a child, two counts of online solicitation of a minor, two counts of injury to a child and tampering with a witness. The evidence showed that the defendant had sexually and physically abused his victim from approximately the age of 7 or 8 years old until the age of 14. The physical abuse included physically beating the child victim with a hanger and a belt, as well as punching her in the face with a closed fist. Testimony revealed that Aguirre prevented the victim’s cooperation with law enforcement by threatening her and continuing to abuse her even after she was removed from his home and placed in the foster care system. The evidence also showed that the defendant possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of the victim, which he eventually destroyed in an effort to avoid prosecution. The defendant testified in the trial and denied the abuse apart from physically beating the victim with a belt. After the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts, the case was reset for a punishment hearing in front of Judge Tibbe. During the sentencing phase of the trial, additional evidence was presented that the defendant had committed aggravated assault, causing serious bodily injury against a third party, devised a plan to murder a judge and others involved in his case and physically abused multiple romantic partners, animals and another minor child. His phone searches showed an obsession with deviant pornography, serial killers, child rapists and uncensored media of victim deaths or autopsies. The foreperson of the jury returned to the courthouse to hear the court sentence the defendant. This case was investigated jointly by Hays County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Chase Crow and Corporal Nelson Wray and San Marcos Police Department Detective Logan Murphy, Corporal John Dehkordi, Detective Chris Marroquin and Detective Luke Begwin. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Katie Arnold prosecuted the case. The ADAs were assisted in this case by Victim Assistance Coordinator Sandra Groters, Legal Assistants Colton Jayroe, Diana Spencer and Cristina Kearbey and District Attorney’s Office Sgt. Investigators Shane Teague, Erica Saenz and Christopher Limmer. “The defendant’s intimidation tactics delayed justice for four years, preventing the victim from feeling safe enough to reveal the physical and sexual abuse she suffered behind closed doors. The Judge’s sentence ensures that she can finally have peace knowing that she — and many others — are protected from him,” Story and Arnold said. During closing arguments in the punishment hearing, the defense downplayed the seriousness of the charges by asserting that no life had been taken. When pronouncing Aguirre’s sentence, the Court directly responded to the defense's argument, characterizing Aguirre as a “soul murderer” because victims of child sexual abuse will have to endure their trauma for a lifetime. # # #