District Attorney Angela L. Overman, representing the 286th Judicial District of Texas, has announced the successful resolution of four major cases involving Gerry Wayne Varner.
Varner faced charges of Intoxication Assault, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, Greater Than 4 grams and Less Than 200 grams in Hockley County.
A press release from Overman’s office states the District Attorney’s Office surmounted formidable challenges in the central case, stemming from a tragic head-on collision on December 20, 2021, on U.S. Highway 62/82, resulting in the untimely demise of Linda Redeker.
“Despite hurdles, including the DPS Trooper’s failure to secure a search warrant for the defendant’s blood, our unwavering diligence yielded favorable outcomes in these cases,” stated the release.
Following a rigorous legal process, Varner voluntarily entered a guilty plea for Intoxication Assault with a Deadly Weapon Finding and acknowledged two prior convictions. The Honorable Kelly Moore, a visiting judge presiding due to Judge Phelan’s prior commitments, handed down a sentence of 30 years of confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and imposed a $10,000 fine.
Concurrent with the federal judgment stipulating that certain cases should run concurrently with the federal sentence, charges of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance and money laundering, as indicated by the indictment, were factored into the guilty plea.
Varner’s indictment for Unlawful Possession of Firearms by a Felon was also adjudicated. This sentencing, in light of a previous federal drug conviction, resulting in a 20-year federal prison term, to be served consecutively after the completion of his 30-year state prison sentence, underscores the gravity of the crimes and sends an unequivocal message against such unlawful actions and repeated criminal conduct.
Varner is now required to present himself before the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles to address the aforementioned infractions committed during his release from prison under Mandatory Supervision. In the event that the Board determines Varner to be in breach of the release conditions, his federal sentence will initiate subsequent to the completion of the penalty for these violations.
“The successful resolution of these cases stands as a testament to our legal team’s unyielding commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice,” stated the release. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for their steadfast support throughout these proceedings, assuring our continued dedication to safeguarding the interests of our fellow citizens.” As staunch advocates for justice, operating in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, the District Attorney’s Office remains unwavering in its mission to uphold a fair and equitable legal system for all citizens.