Judge Raquel West DESTROYS Defendant Over Drug Dealer Associations in Explosive Courtroom Clash!

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]his way up. Before I get too far, I ask the court take judicial notice of the court's file, including the uh all the records and documents relating to probation, both probations in this case.

[00:00:10]>> I will take judicial notice of all of that. Mr. Kitchen, please raise your right hand. You swear affirm the testimony you're going to give in this hearing will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Thank you. And if you'll just kind of pull that microphone a little closer, make sure it's on. There you go.

[00:00:24]>> Mr. Kitchens, would you please state your full name for the court reporter?

[00:00:27]>> Uh Kenneth Kens.

[00:00:28]>> And Mr. Kitchens.

[00:00:30]commission with you and how you're employed, but for purposes of the record, how are you employed, sir?

[00:00:35]>> I am a committee supervision officer with Jefferson County Adult Probation.

[00:00:38]>> And how long have you been with adult probation?

[00:00:41]>> I've done probation total about 5 years.

[00:00:45]>> And as part of your duties, uh do you supervise uh the uh defendants who are placed on probation here in Jefferson County?

[00:00:54]>> Yes. Uh did you have an opportunity to supervise uh the defendant in this case of Bren Brenda Sanchez?

[00:01:00]>> Uh very briefly. Yes.

[00:01:02]>> Uh so is it fair to say that you were not the original probation officer or officers on the case that supervised?

[00:01:10]>> Yes, sir.

[00:01:10]>> Uh but you did familiarize yourself with the records as it pertains to her uh proation case or cases and her supervision. Correct.

[00:01:21]>> Yes, it is. And you by virtue of your employment, you're considered a custodian of record there at the probation department. Correct.

[00:01:27]>> That's correct.

[00:01:29]>> And as also as part of your duties, you're aware that she was placed and again of course familiar with this, but I want to make a record. Two concurrent theft uh felony theft cases that she was on a five-year deferred bond or five-year probation on. Correct.

[00:01:45]>> That's correct.

[00:01:46]>> Uh and that fiveyear term began in February of 2021. Yes.

[00:01:51]>> Uh these are thirdderee felony theft cases. Correct.

[00:01:55]>> That is correct.

[00:01:56]>> And do you see the individual here in the courtroom today that you have come to know as Brenda Sanchez?

[00:02:03]>> I do.

[00:02:03]>> Would you please point to her and identify her by an article of clothing that she is wearing? Please >> wearing the blue.

[00:02:09]>> I ask the record witness of the defendant judge.

[00:02:12]>> The record will still reflect. And uh you're familiar through your duties there at the probation department uh with the process by which the conditions of probation is explained to each and every defendant, right?

[00:02:24]>> Yes.

[00:02:25]>> Uh and is that the case that the conditions of probation uh after a defendant is or defendants are shortly placed on probation, they are explained to that defendant? Yes. Uh, and do you have any reason to doubt that the conditions of this or this defendant was not explained to her shortly after she was placed on publish?

[00:02:45]>> I don't believe she understands something.

[00:02:47]>> Okay.

[00:02:49]I'm sorry. I have no trouble hearing out though if the court need to. Any reason to doubt that she was not explained the conditions?

[00:02:56]>> No, she was explain this.

[00:02:57]>> Okay, good.

[00:02:58]>> Understand that any reason to think that >> I know it's confusing.

[00:03:01]>> Not explained.

[00:03:04]Any reason to think that it's not explained?

[00:03:06]>> Let me try to ask it a better way, judge. Any reason to think that this defendant was not explained her conditions of probation needs, please?

[00:03:13]No reason to rebel.

[00:03:14]>> Okay. Thank you. Um, her conditions of probation, did they include not violating the law or laws of the state, any other state or of the federal in federal law? They did.

[00:03:27]>> And her condition of probation did include by way of summarizing it. uh not association not associating herself with any people uh a person with disreputable character and did her uh conditions of probation again by late summer summary include not possessing either any illegal drugs or legal narcotics for which there is a prescription that she has not provided probation department with a copy of that prescription. That's correct. And lastly, was she required to do or perform perform a certain number of community service hours?

[00:04:06]>> Yes.

[00:04:06]>> And what were or how many community service hours?

[00:04:10]>> Uh she had a total of 300 hours in each case remaining. Um last case, uh Joan completed 200 hours.

[00:04:17]>> Just so I'm clear, the total at the beginning was 600.

[00:04:21]>> 600. Yes.

[00:04:22]>> And to date, how many has she completed or how much have she left? that today she is uh about 400 hours told >> that she needs to do it.

[00:04:35]>> Yeah, she can complete. Yes, but she's she's completed 200 hours.

[00:04:38]>> Oh, okay.

[00:04:39]>> And as it relates to prescriptions or prescription for any substances, do your records indicate that she's provided the probation department with any copies of any prescriptions for the new substances?

[00:04:53]>> We have not received any record prescriptions. Just to be clear, no prescription for either hydromorphone or the judge, you know what I did? I neglected I mentioned that I want to invoke the rule. I think there may be a potential move here in >> Okay. I don't know. He's he's notifi you're not here to testify.

[00:05:21]He's not being recorded when it's >> I'm not calling him but the state's going to call him. That's fine. I'm not I'll represent to the court. I'm not going to call him. If Mr. Cole was going to call him, then he's under the rule and >> just just to fill in the blank judge for the court today. Mr. can give me what it pointed to be a prescription that that individual would provide him with. So, he's a potential witness.

[00:05:44]>> All right. Step outside the courtroom, sir.

[00:05:46]>> Yeah. Just step outside. If they need you to come back in and testify, they'll bring you back in.

[00:05:52]>> Sorry.

[00:05:53]>> That's fine. Thank you, >> Mr. Kitchens. So, just to be clear, she had the defendant has not provided a probation appointment with the copy or prescription or a hydromorphone or commonly referred to as deated ored. No sir question I have passion.

[00:06:12]>> Thank you Mr. Coleman. Mr. Kimler >> the community service she has two cases correct?

[00:06:17]>> Yes sir.

[00:06:18]>> So she get 300 on each case.

[00:06:20]>> Yes.

[00:06:20]>> That's not concurrent. That's consecutive.

[00:06:22]>> That's consecutive. Yes sir.

[00:06:24]>> My understanding that's usually concurrent community service for each case. So it should be a total of 300 hours. It it would be u concurrent if she completed half within her first year of probation.

[00:06:36]>> Well, she's done half being what? 300 or 200?

[00:06:40]>> 450.

[00:06:40]>> 300.

[00:06:43]>> Okay. Um so the 200 hours was completed when?

[00:06:48]>> It was last 2024 um October 17th, 2024.

[00:06:53]>> Is there a court order saying it's consecutive or concurrent or is that just a practice in the probation office?

[00:06:57]>> Just practice probation office. We we don't make them do them all together if they complete half within the first year.

[00:07:03]>> Okay. What about probation fees and other things? Those are concurrent, aren't they? Like the probation supervisory fee. That's concurrent. $60 >> a month. That's concurrent.

[00:07:13]>> That's supervision fees. If you have multiple cases, supervision fees and the main case and then the other paid for costs and stuff. There's only one set of supervision fees.

[00:07:21]>> The court costs are consecutive. I understand that. Um I was just I wasn't aware that the community services staff. So in any case, she has completed 200 hours. Was that on which case was the 200 hours assigned?

[00:07:37]>> That was her um call number 20-33832.

[00:07:42]>> The lower cause number is done first or second on the community survey. How do you assign how do you make the determination which case to assign the hours the completed hours to if they cons if they're consecutive? Um, like I said, the main case in this in this case here would be the u the felony case.

[00:07:57]It's got the hours on it. Uh, that's where they would go.

[00:08:00]>> Why is it the main why is it the main case?

[00:08:02]>> Felony charge.

[00:08:03]>> They're both thirdderee felonies.

[00:08:05]>> The um there it's it's the main case that has the supervision fees and >> why is it the main case versus >> Well, how is that how is that?

[00:08:14]>> I'm trying to.

[00:08:15]>> Well, no, you can ask them after if you need to understand it, but as far as it goes today, she's ordered 300 in each case. She's done 200.

[00:08:24]So I understand that there are times when they wave part of them depending on when they get them done.

[00:08:31]>> This wasn't and the way I've explained it in part is that it's concurrent and I've made that to explain it to people in the past. It's my first time that I've learned today that actually are stacked, but the hours are stacked.

[00:08:42]>> Okay.

[00:08:44]>> Would you agree that she made a good faith effort to do community service?

[00:08:46]She's done two other than others.

[00:08:49]Um at the time, yeah, she had >> I mean, you've only supervised her for how long?

[00:08:56]>> I've had her since September 25.

[00:08:59]>> Okay. 25.

[00:09:01]>> That's a while. Is it long enough that you that you've come to know become familiar with her or not?

[00:09:06]>> No, sir. Um I've only I've only met with her twice u both times when she was taken into custody.

[00:09:12]>> So, is there a problem with her reporting while she was out or not?

[00:09:16]>> No, sir. She'd been in custody that long or how long >> she was in custody and on the new charge and bonded out and then she saw me again and that was whenever the the warrant was done. So, >> okay. So, she really hasn't had an opportunity. Would you agree with you at least to demonstrate compliance or non-compliance while supervised >> in time that you have been with her? Do you see any as far as your position any issues with her demeanor or attitude towards you?

[00:09:44]>> No sir. If the court were to see it to continue on probation, would you be willing to continue to supervise her?

[00:09:49]And yes, >> do you think she could benefit from further supervision or not?

[00:09:53]>> I believe so.

[00:09:55]>> I'm sorry.

[00:09:55]>> Yes.

[00:09:57]>> What kind of programs do you think would be available to aid her in her rehabilitation and her partner's on probation?

[00:10:03]>> Um, safety or being placed on high risk, low zero tolerance, they continue probation. What about drop program or JCDI or any other available things in house without being >> JCDI a good one >> and you'd be willing to work with her and continue to super further questions for Mr. Kens.

[00:10:24]>> Thank you Mr. Kitchen. You can step down this time the state will call >> may proceed. Would you please state your full name for the report? It's >> Christopher Lee Rymer >> and Detective Ramer. How are you employed sir? I'm a narcotics detective with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

[00:10:41]>> And how long have you been with the Orange County? A >> little over a year.

[00:10:44]>> And prior to that, were you with the Bulmont Police Department?

[00:10:47]>> Yes, sir. I was.

[00:10:48]>> And uh were you working uh what capacity were you working with Bulmont back in August or on August the 15th, 2020?

[00:10:59]>> I would have been in the narcotic shooting. And did you have an occasion on that day to uh visit a a residence located at 5760 5760 Road Indian Trail in Bulmont, Texas?

[00:11:12]>> Yes, sir. I did.

[00:11:13]>> And that's located in Jefferson County, Texas. Correct.

[00:11:16]>> Yes, sir.

[00:11:16]>> Please explain to the judge the nature of who your contact uh or the vis nature of your visit to that residence that day. Uh that day we had uh we had gotten several complaints from uh neighbors and uh people living in an area of what they believed to be drug distribution coming from that residence. Uh me and some other narcotics detectives began the investigation that led us to that residence and that day we were conducted a knock and talk operation. and that background information that you received uh prior to the knock and talk, what if anything did it indicate or indicative was being distributed out of that residence >> situation here? Sir, >> uh um I'll draw a question, [ __ ] Um what did um what happened after the knock and talk was conducted?

[00:12:12]>> Projection cost for >> overruled. Go ahead. Once the knock and talk was initiated, the uniform narcotics officers that made contact, they made contact with two individuals.

[00:12:24]Um, at which point they notified us to move up. Uh, one of the individuals had made admission that there was marijuana inside the residence.

[00:12:32]>> Let's talk about those individuals. One of those individuals was a Heather Pena, correct?

[00:12:36]>> Yes, sir.

[00:12:37]>> And the other individual was Angel Martinez.

[00:12:39]>> Yes, sir. And based on your investigation and the the facts from the scene that day or your observations from the scene that day, how was Heather Pen connected to that residence?

[00:12:51]>> Uh Heather Pena was the daughter of Brenda Sanchez who also lived at that residence.

[00:12:56]>> So we've got Natal contact with Heather Pena contact with Angel Martinez. What if anything did Angel Martinez admit to?

[00:13:05]>> Again, Yiannis said >> uh I would draw that question. Yes. Uh statement instructor not >> he's overruled he's with what's wrong the question go ahead >> um >> Martinez he was arrested correct >> yes sir >> for a MTRP warrant correct >> yes sir >> uh and pursuant to being arrested and judge this will elicit your say however it's an exception is that it does not go to the truth of the matter in other words the ultimate issue in this case being whether or not this defendant possessed apples.

[00:13:42]>> I'll let the state ask the question before I object to the >> uh what after Mr. Martinez did he ask what after he was arrested did he ask be done >> objection here also vot confront right to confront the prosec >> doesn't go to the ultimate issue as to whether or not uh this defendant has the PS >> it's testimonial if it doesn't then it's irrelevant >> overruled go ahead >> what did he ask >> he had asked for his cell phone and his wallet >> and then for officers who did he ask retrieve that >> he asked had an opinion to retrieve it >> for officer safety did you accomp company p you into that residence?

[00:14:18]>> I did.

[00:14:19]>> For the reason of >> Yeah. For for officer safety reasons.

[00:14:24]When someone enters their residence uh after of a mission that we heard, we want to ensure that they're not retrieving some type of weapon or destroying evidence or something of that nature. So, we follow in as protection for ourselves. Uh, and nevertheless, in this process of you accompanying Pina uh into the residence to obtain or retrieve uh Martinez's cell phone, uh, did you observe uh, marijuana?

[00:14:53]>> I did. In the closet area on a tray with like marijuana.

[00:14:57]>> Okay. Eventually, you backed out of there. Uh, at some point was the defendant, Brenda Sanchez, contacted by cell phone.

[00:15:06]>> She was And after she was contacted by cell phone, did she arrive on scene?

[00:15:11]>> Yes, sir.

[00:15:12]>> Once Brenda Sanchez arrived on scene, what if anything happened next?

[00:15:17]>> You call her narrative. What happened next? After she arrived on scene, what happened?

[00:15:22]>> Would you rather him lead him?

[00:15:24]>> Yes, your honor, I would. So, I would have an opportunity to object to each individual question.

[00:15:28]>> Overruled. Ask your question. What happened when Brandy Sanchez arrived on >> uh she had requested the use of the restroom of which we we followed her and so she used >> and just let's clear it up for the judge. I mean everybody's outside at this point and you know we've got Martinez, we got Pena and then now Sanchez has arrived on scene.

[00:15:49]Everybody's outside the residence and for officer safety reasons you're not going to just let anybody walk in and then walk out of that break. So what did you do once she indicated that she need to use the restroom? No, >> I followed her into the restroom and >> she didn't follow into the restroom.

[00:16:05]>> Not into the restroom, into her bedroom, which the that primary bedroom had a an on suite bathroom. Uh she went into the restroom and then I stayed outside near the entry door to the bedroom.

[00:16:17]>> Now when she what if anything happened when she exited the restroom? When she exited the restroom, she went to a bedside u nightstand, opened the top drawer, and then retrieved a bottle of pills and handed them to me. Uh, if memory serves, uh, she said, "This is what you're looking for." Handed it to me.

[00:16:35]>> Now, this pill bottle, did it have her name on it?

[00:16:38]>> No.

[00:16:40]>> Is it fair to say it had someone else's name on it? If you recall, >> I can't recall the name, but it did. It was not Brenda Sanchez.

[00:16:46]And inside this pill bottle, what you in your training experience, what did it appear to be?

[00:16:53]>> A Delotics.

[00:16:55]>> A number of pills.

[00:16:56]>> Yes, sir.

[00:16:57]>> If you remember the the number or the amount or the weight?

[00:16:59]>> Uh, I believe the weight >> only if you remember.

[00:17:01]>> Yeah, it was 11 g.

[00:17:03]>> Okay.

[00:17:04]And this 11 g of what you believe to be delotted, was it ultimately sent to the lab?

[00:17:11]>> Yes, sir.

[00:17:11]>> Was it analyzed?

[00:17:13]>> Yes, sir. And was there a result after it was analyzed?

[00:17:16]>> Yes, sir.

[00:17:17]>> At this time, the state would offer states exhibit number one, a lab report uh pursuant to a certificate of analysis that's been on file for the lance of time and has not been objected to.

[00:17:26]>> Objection. The hearsay also chain of custody has been established between the substance that was seized and the substance that was tested.

[00:17:32]>> Did you file an objection within the time frame for the certificate of analysis that was filed?

[00:17:37]>> I'm objecting that the chain of custody has established. I believe the certificate of analysis is accurate, but he has laid the credit for the chain of custody.

[00:17:44]>> This is the turning point in the entire hearing. Up until now, the defense has focused heavily on probation compliance issues, community service hours, supervision, and whether Brenda Sanchez was making progress while under supervision. But the moment a detective testifies that Sanchez allegedly handed over a bottle of pills and said, "This is what you're looking for." The stakes rise dramatically. legally that kind of statement can become extreme.

[00:18:10]>> Custody was what was actually tested was what was seized and submitted to the land.

[00:18:15]>> I'm happy to do that. Judge I will draw my offer stakes one at this time of pending calling unconditional witness to establish the cham judge.

[00:18:27]>> Once you received that pill bottle that was given to you by the defendant, what did you do with it? I provided that to the the lead case agent which was Detective Matt Neil.

[00:18:37]>> Detective Matthew Neil. Is Detective Matthew Neil here today?

[00:18:40]>> Yes.

[00:18:41]>> Okay.

[00:18:52]I think it's all Let me ask let me ask you this. U couple of housekeeping questions.

[00:19:01]uh hydromorphone or was commonly referred to as delighted delighted. I don't know why I have some trouble stone go that word. Is that a controlled substance in Yes. In the state of Texas?

[00:19:13]>> Yes, sir.

[00:19:14]>> Is that possession of that? Would that be a violation of would it be a degree one substance uh in violation of section 481.115 of the Texas Health and Safety Code?

[00:19:28]>> Yes, sir. As far as you know, a possession of four grams or more with less than 200 grams be a seconddegree felony.

[00:19:35]>> Yes, sir.

[00:19:36]>> Now, um these individuals who occupied this residence, uh well, what if any information did you develop in your investigation that would link this defendant to that residence?

[00:19:50]see object to the global nature of the question you're on >> overruled extent involved here say >> let me rephrase let me rephrase during the course of your investigation did you develop information that allegedly this was her residence that she resided there >> yes >> uh during the course of your investigation did you develop information that indicated that she resided there with Heather and Ricky Woods albeit on another part of that property but he was there on that part.

[00:20:21]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:22]>> Now, Miss Ricky was Miss Heather Pena, you understand part of a condition of probation is not to associate with people of disreputable character?

[00:20:31]>> Yes, sir.

[00:20:32]>> Uh, in your understanding or your common understanding of a person with disreputable character, uh, how would you characterize Ricky Woods and Heather Kingdom?

[00:20:43]>> Uh, both subjects have had lengthy criminal histories. I know Heather um was very well known as as a drug dealer >> and again u I don't know if you covered this maybe I'm thinking back to our hearing prayer but you received there had been complaints is it fair to say >> yes sir >> uh neighborhood or neighbor complaints >> casing complaints yes sir >> about the comingings and goings there at that residence >> yes sir a lot of uh >> what made this probation hearing so intense was how quickly it escalated from technical violations s into a much broader examination of alleged criminal behavior and personal accountability.

[00:21:23]Prosecutors focus on probation conditions, suspected narcotics possession, and associations with individuals investigators described as tied to drug activ and from that residence. And based on your training experience, what if anything is that or could that be indicated?