Judge West STUNNED by 21 Felony Convictions: “You Have the Worst History I’ve Ever Seen!”

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]Good morning. Are you Matthew Wadsworth?

[00:00:02]>> Yes, ma'am. And Mr. Wadsworth was previously in court and entered a plea of guilty to the second-degree felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. There was an agreement for a cap of 8 years in prison. I've received the pre-sentence report. Has everyone had an opportunity to review that report?

[00:00:19]>> Your Honor. Yes, sir. Are there any additions or corrections?

[00:00:22]>> No, Your Honor. Not from this side. All right. Mr. Rojas, you may proceed. I just want to say cap of eight agreement. I think it's the cap of eight and I'll just base on the criminal history alone in the PSI, it looks like It looks like you did a very good job of getting that agreement.

[00:00:39]>> That's kind of what I'm not that I did a good job, but I think that maybe you're doing a favor to Mr. Wadsworth. But, I do have a couple of things I'd like to point out.

[00:00:46]Um If you look at I'm not talking about his felony criminal history.

[00:00:53]>> [snorts] >> The first page of his felony criminal history probably goes into the first second page of his felony criminal history. Most of those offenses happened in 2002.

[00:01:01]Uh so, he seems to be getting those in bunches. He Those happened in 2002. He got sentenced in 2000 01.

[00:01:10]In January 2002, they all happened.

[00:01:12]Right.

[00:01:13]>> Um They all resulted in 2003 on all of them. I think he did 60 months on all of them.

[00:01:19]Uh Got some more in uh October 2002. Then after that, he goes in Basically, he's in and out until until about 2019 when he picked up some more cases. And from 2019 to this present case, he's From after the 2002 and to the 2019, there were seven additional felonies.

[00:01:41]Seven additional felonies. Yeah. Go ahead.

[00:01:45]>> And then from 2019 to now, at least he's been able to stay clean. So, any time most of the time when he's committing offenses is when he's off his medications.

[00:01:53]Uh he's been back on the meds he's in jail. He's It's helping him be able to think clearly now.

[00:02:00]Uh We talked about this and and and if the court's even going to consider probation. Uh As pointed out in the PSR, the only the only way he's going to get probation is to take PD and deal with his drug issues. He and he understands that and recognizes that. He's willing to do that.

[00:02:18]Uh he's hoping that you give him a chance to do that and and even as he pointed out by the probation officer in the report, he's indicated that he's tired of this lifestyle. He's tired of being in handcuffs. He realizes he needs help just to make his life better.

[00:02:31]And and he tells me he's ready to make that change and and he does have some statements to make to you at the proper time. All right, go ahead, sir.

[00:02:39]I only wrote this because I get really nervous. Sure.

[00:02:43]This letter is to ask you for some help.

[00:02:45]I'm a drug addict and I can't hold a job.

[00:02:51]Basically, listen, man.

[00:02:53]Um >> [clears throat] >> I was I was a a bad kid until I was ADD poster child.

[00:03:00]I was put on Ritalin.

[00:03:02]Then um then I then I did really [cough and clears throat] good.

[00:03:07]With the Ritalin, I went from straight F's, farting in class, thinking it was funny, you know, I wasn't eating, all that stuff. I thought it was you know, I just was bad. [snorts] They put [clears throat] me on Ritalin and went from straight F's to straight A's.

[00:03:19]I was sexually abused. My parents were drug addicts.

[00:03:23]I went to prison. You guys forgot I had something.

[00:03:26]I I hope it don't hurt me, but I got beat up. I had a robbery a robbery in 1992.

[00:03:32]When I got out from that robbery until 2000 um um two When you started 2002, yes, ma'am.

[00:03:40]From that I I I stayed out of trouble again because I was on medication.

[00:03:44]It's been the it's been my whole life.

[00:03:46]It's been the the the pattern of my life.

[00:03:49]I'm on my medication.

[00:03:52]And [clears throat] I'm I'm I'm a great guy. I'm a journeyman electrician. I'm a father. I'm a grandfather.

[00:03:57]Um I spend time with my kids.

[00:04:01]If uh if I'm off of them and the reason I got off of them and the and this event happened is uh I I was hearing voices.

[00:04:10]I I heard I thought my girl my roommate was holding my girlfriend hostage.

[00:04:15]It says I hit him with a bat, but it was my walking cane.

[00:04:18]It wasn't a bat.

[00:04:19]Um and I did I did hit him and I told him it was horrible cuz I didn't know what was going on but it was in my head.

[00:04:25][clears throat] Um and our house burned down, dogs died, and I just kind of I just kind of went crazy.

[00:04:34]But I did stop I did tell in 2018 I'm sorry 19 I said I'm tired of this.

[00:04:40]And I'm going to stay on my medications.

[00:04:42]When the house burned down, all my medications went with it my truck.

[00:04:46]My my tools and everything.

[00:04:49]And I was just barely making it and um >> [clears throat] >> I just I I honestly thought my roommate was holding my girlfriend against her will and hostage. When we started fighting I was losing.

[00:05:02]And I hit him with If you do give me the chance, um what I need is some help staying on my meds. I just start feeling like I'm doing better sometimes and then I stop taking them.

[00:05:16]When I stop taking them, I just I hear voices and and I can't tell if it's mine or if it's if it's if it's somebody else or if I can't tell. So but Mr. Whitworth, here's the here's the thing.

[00:05:31]>> Yes, ma'am. And I and I appreciate what you're saying and I feel like you are sincere in what you're saying.

[00:05:37]>> Yes, ma'am. The problem is you're [snorts] you're 51 now 52? 51 now. 51.

[00:05:42]>> now 52. And you know you've had these issues.

[00:05:45]>> Yes, ma'am. You've been given opportunities and you know I need to be on my meds.

[00:05:51]And even if I give you a probation, there's it's only for so long. At some point, you have to stay on your own meds, and you can't let require someone else to force you to do that. And take a chance with society and the community of you hurting someone else.

[00:06:10]Honestly, I'm not sure, but I honestly think that you have the worst criminal history I've seen.

[00:06:19]>> I even said that to Mr. Rollhouse. I said this is the worst >> You have 19 misdemeanor convictions. You have 20 others that were either filed dismissed because of pleas on the other cases. So, technically, about 39 misdemeanors.

[00:06:36]21 felony convictions.

[00:06:41]21 I know, wow, right? I'm not You still have one pending in Indiana.

[00:06:49]Um and out of the In addition to the 21 and the one pending, you have 16 others that were dismissed because of plea agreements and things like that. So, you're That's 30 We're talking eight felonies.

[00:07:08]The last and I get a lot of this was from '02, and a lot of it was in the same big scenario.

[00:07:15]>> 18 of them was in one day. But, it didn't stop then. You were put back on probation in 2017. So, not that long ago, given a probation, it was revoked.

[00:07:25]So, you were given an opportunity.

[00:07:28]Um >> [clears throat] >> Mr. I have since Mr. Smith, I completely stayed out of trouble since then, though. Not one single incident since.

[00:07:36]Well, you had 2017 and unauthorized use of a vehicle felony. 2018 an obstruction of justice in Pike County.

[00:07:45]>> Yes, ma'am. 2019 and escape. That's the one that's pending. Hold on. I'm sorry.

[00:07:51]And then another later in 2019 um maintaining a common nuisance of a controlled substance or something like that in Indiana. So, the last thing is 2019, which is in the big scheme of things at your age, not that long ago. I know. I understand.

[00:08:11]Mr. Smith.

[00:08:13]Judge, uh called for you to his account of probation where he said the part about the baseball bat is not true. A dresser fell on top of him. I saw that.

[00:08:25]He's still not taking responsibility.

[00:08:27]>> him with the cane.

[00:08:27]>> Hold on. Don't speak over. We I let you talk, so don't talk over anyone else, please.

[00:08:32]>> [clears throat] >> I believe probation is absolutely right that jail time and probation has not been returned accordingly. He's not made probation.

[00:08:43]We would ask for the 8-year sentence.

[00:08:46]To be served.

[00:08:47]Mr. Wadsworth, again, uh like I stated before um to Mr. Rojas, um the fact that he was able to negotiate for you a cap of 8 years on a second-degree felony with your criminal history, um there's part of me today that was considering not even accepting this plea agreement. Because I think with your criminal history, personally, I think it's ridiculous.

[00:09:09]Excuse me. Um so, I'm going to find that you entered your plea of guilty freely and voluntarily. I'm going to find that you entered your plea of guilty um I'm going to find sufficient evidence to find you guilty and at this time find you guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Sentence you to a term of 8 years in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Corrections.

[00:09:28]There will be an affirmative finding of a deadly weapon.

[00:09:31]Um you will receive credit on that sentence for any time that you've been in custody that the law gives you the right to receive. I'm handing you the trial court certification that shows this was an agreement that I followed and so you waived your right to appeal.

[00:09:44]I have also handed you a written admonishment regarding your ineligibility to possess a firearm or ammunition. Because of the judgment entered against you, you're ineligible under Texas law to possess a firearm or ammunition. Possession of a firearm or ammunition could lead to charges against you. Firearm is a legal term and you should read the I'll print the exhibits out. Right here.

[00:10:12]Right here.

[00:10:33]>> [clears throat] >> Good grief, I just wrote 2023.

[00:10:39]I was right.

[00:10:41]2028?

[00:10:42]23.

[00:10:44]At least I'm making us younger and not older.

[00:10:48]What is this?

[00:10:50]Ours.

[00:10:56]All right, ma'am. Good morning. Are you Melissa Taylor?

[00:10:58]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:10:59]And will your client waive the formal reading of the indictment in each case?

[00:11:03]>> So waived.

[00:11:04]I'm going to take judicial notice of the court's file.

[00:11:08]Ms. Taylor was evaluated for competency to stand trial. Dr. Grapengard did that evaluation. I received the report dated May 22nd of 2025 with the finding from Dr. Grapengard that Ms. Taylor is currently competent to stand trial.

[00:11:28]Is there any other evidence with regard to competency? Yeah, I can only say that I've visited with her head a couple of times out at the jail again this morning and I believe that she's mentally competent. All right. I can't say that there's no evidence of mental incompetency because I think that there was at one time the evidence but there's been none that I've observed that would lead me to think that she is currently mentally incompetent. All right. And Mr. Nichols?

[00:11:51]>> Nothing to add, Your Honor. All right, [clears throat] then based on the report and Mr. Kemler's >> [clears throat] >> comments, I am going to find Ms. Taylor currently competent to stand trial.

[00:12:03]Now, Ms. Taylor in cause number 24 DCCR2177, you're charged with second-degree felony offense of assault on a peace officer from October 2nd of 2024 and how do you plead to [clears throat] that charge?

[00:12:25]I'm guilty. Are you pleading guilty freely and voluntarily? Yes, ma'am. And are you pleading guilty because you actually did what they've charged you with? That would be correct. Yes.

[00:12:55]All right, and in cause number 24 DCCR2311, you're charged with a state jail felony offense of credit or debit card abuse from October 2nd of 2024 and how do you plead to that charge?

[00:13:09]>> I'm guilty. Again, are you pleading guilty freely and voluntarily?

[00:13:14]Yes. And are you pleading guilty because you did what they've charged you with?

[00:13:17]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:13:18]Um in each of these cases, I have here on the computer some documents that have your signature on them that the state has marked as exhibit number one. Before you signed these, did you go over them with Mr. Kimbler? I did. Do you fully understand them? Yes, ma'am, I do. And do you understand if I follow the agreement that you've made in the with the district attorney that you'll be waiving or giving up any right to appeal? Yes. And it looks like the agreement that you've reached is for a cap of 5 years in the assault on a peace officer case. And then whatever happens, I I guess it's you're pleading open on the other one as long as I run them concurrently.

[00:14:01]Okay, so in essence a cap of 12 months then, would that >> Yes, sir, that's fair to say.

[00:14:07]With everyone's permission, I'm going to Can I make that um Let's see.

[00:14:22]So it would be a cap of 12 months on that state jail case, do you understand?

[00:14:26]And that's for the one No, it's for credit card.

[00:14:32]So [clears throat] what that means is that if we go forward this way, you're leaving your punishment up to me. Okay.

[00:14:37]And as long as I don't give you more than 5 years in the assault on a peace officer case and 12 months on the credit debit card abuse case, then you're waiving your right to appeal. Yes. I can give you 5 years, I can give you less, it'll all be determined when I get the information at a sentencing hearing. Um you have an absolute right uh to have a jury come in and determine two things.

[00:14:59]The first would be to decide if you're guilty or not. And then if they find you guilty, you could leave your punishment up to them.

[00:15:05]If we go forward this way, you're waiving that right and leaving it up to me with with those ranges that you've agreed to. Is that what you want to do?

[00:15:12]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:15:13]Um do you also understand if you're not a US citizen that a plea of guilty or no contest may result in your deportation, exclusion from admission to the country, or denial of naturalization under federal law.

[00:15:24]>> Uh yes. State's attorneys number one in each case.

[00:15:27]>> Subject. It's admitted in each case. All right, ma'am. I'm going to find that you entered your pleas of guilty in each case freely and voluntarily. I again find that you're mentally competent and understand the nature and the consequences of your pleas.

[00:15:39]Find [snorts] sufficient evidence in each case to find you guilty. However, I'm going to reset your cases so that the probation department can do a pre-sentence report. That'll give me more information about you, your cases, and then we will come back later for sentencing. Anything that you think is important for me to know, be sure and get that information to Mr. Kimler.

[00:15:56]He'll present it to me on your behalf when we come back.

[00:15:58]>> Okay. All right. I do have a support letter that I turned in to the court. If you'll just get that to the clerk, please.

[00:16:04]All right. Thank you, ma'am. You can go back with the bailiff.

[00:16:10]That's exactly what I want both of y'all to do better. When she does it, I think about it all the time.

[00:16:15]All right, so are you Saidel Wilson? I'm ma'am, I'm sorry. I was looking at the down this way and not at you.

[00:16:21]>> Saidel Wilson. Saidel? Yes, ma'am. Okay.

[00:16:23]And Mr. Rojas, will your client waive the formal reading of the motion?

[00:16:28]>> She will, Your Honor.

[00:16:30]>> [clears throat] >> Let's see.

[00:16:40]>> [clears throat] >> I'm getting there.

[00:16:48]All right, Ms. Wilson, in cause number 2240450, I have a first [clears throat] amended motion to revoke your unadjudicated probation. This shows that you were placed on probation February 27th of 2024 for the offense of burglary of a habitation, and that was a 5-year deferred probation. Is that correct?

[00:17:07]Yes, Your Honor. And then it alleges that you violated your probation. Count one alleges that you failed to report as directed to the probation department March 14th, March 26th, April 9th, April 23rd, May 8th, and May 22nd, June 4th, and June 18th of 2024. And is that true or not true? Yes, your honor. Is it true? Okay. Count two alleges that you failed to work faithfully at suitable employment and provide verification of that. And is that true or not true? Yes, your honor. Since we have an agreement >> Listen, no, hold on.

[00:17:44]Thank you. Since we have an agreement, we can drop three, four, five, and six and just go to seven. Does that work for the court? Count seven alleges that you were arrested for the offense of failure to identify a fugitive from justice and giving false information, April 14th of 2025. And is that true or not true? True.

[00:18:03]Count eight alleges that you were possessed arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, April 14th of 2025.

[00:18:10]And is that true or not true? True.

[00:18:12]And then count nine alleges that you were at a location other than your residence at approximately 12:32 a.m., April 14th of 2025. And is that true or not true?

[00:18:24]True.

[00:18:25]Did you enter your pleas of true to counts one, two, seven, eight, and nine freely and voluntarily?

[00:18:32]True. And I did what it what it wanted me to.

[00:18:34]>> [laughter] >> I volunteered.

[00:18:37]Did you It's okay.

[00:18:38]>> Yes, your honor. It's all right.

[00:18:39][laughter] You're good. Thank you. Did you enter those pleas of true freely and voluntarily? Yes. And did you plead true to those counts because they're actually true? Yes, your honor. I have here on the computer some documents that have your signature on them that the state has marked as exhibit number one. Before you signed these, did you go over them with Mr. Rojas? Yes, your honor. And do you fully understand them?

[00:19:02]>> Yes, your honor. And do you understand that if I follow the agreement that you've made with the district attorney, that you'll be waiving or giving up any right to appeal? Yes, your honor.

[00:19:11]State tenders number one. No objection.

[00:19:13]It's admitted. Is there any evidence that Ms. Wilson is not competent?

[00:19:17]>> No, ma'am.

[00:19:18]All right, ma'am. I'm going to find that you entered your pleas of true to counts 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 freely and voluntarily. Find those counts true.

[00:19:26]Find sufficient evidence to find you guilty and at this time find you guilty of burglary of a habitation. Sentence you in accordance with your agreement to a term of 3 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Corrections. You will receive credit on that sentence for any time that you've been in custody, but the law gives you the right to receive. I'm handing you the trial court certification that shows this was an agreement that I followed and so you have waived your right to appeal.

[00:19:56]I have also handed you a written admonishment regarding your ineligibility to possess a firearm or ammunition. Because of the judgment entered against you, you're ineligible under Texas law to possess a firearm or ammunition. Possession of a firearm or ammunition could lead to charges against you. Firearm is a legal term and you should read the written admonishment I provided you to see what devices qualify as a firearm. If you have questions about the laws that make [clears throat] you ineligible to possess a firearm or ammunition or about how long that lasts, you can talk to Mr. Rojas. Yes, Judge.

[00:20:26]Good luck to you, ma'am. Thank you.

[00:20:27]Thank you.

[00:20:31]Okay.

[00:20:32]Good morning. Are you Stephanie Moore?

[00:20:34]And Ms. Moore is on probation for robbery. There's a motion to revoke and what's [clears throat] the >> Judgment. Ms. Moore's been in this county for 7 years since this and she's not been picked up. She's I have I almost just don't really know how to proceed because we have no idea what's been going on with her for 7 years.

[00:20:52]Um I'd like her to have an opportunity, if she chooses to, to tell the court what she's been doing before we really make a recommendation here.

[00:21:02]Obviously, she can choose not to, but uh Mr. Rojas. Judge, I've spoken with Ms. Moore. She's told me what what has been happening on the last 7 years and she would like to tell the court where she's been, what her life has been going on. Miss Moore. Um I've been been in a bad domestic relationship and I was not allowed to pretty much do anything, put up a mailbox, um go get any kind of medical help, get an ID.

[00:21:32]Um when I just got strong enough to leave that relationship, um I put up a mailbox, got some health insurance, and realized that I needed to get my driver's license back, [clears throat] and be you know, I have to take care of my past and this was my past, and he wouldn't let me do that. I asked him if he would be able to help me support me behind this or come at least drop me off at the jail so I could take care of this and he just the way we lived and the way he lived that was no it just wasn't something that was able to do. Um when I did try to leave, he killed my cats and pulled me back to the house. I broke my um wrist, he broke my wrist the last time and I just ran to the cops and screamed out of the neighborhood and um the cops came and I ran to them and just said I needed help.

[00:22:24]And so I knew this was here and I knew that I had to take care of whatever I needed to do to put this behind me so that I could I want to live a normal life and have my license so I can get a job and have a home and a mortgage and land and I'm 48 years old, about to be 48 years old, and I just want to get my life back without that.

[00:22:48]So I I mean >> She was ordered to Safe P back in 2018 and did not report.

[00:22:53]>> No, I went to Safe P.

[00:22:55]I've done Safe P.

[00:22:56]In 2018? No, I did it when I first got She was ordered back in 2018 after I think having done it around 2012.

[00:23:06]Okay. They haven't heard or seen her since then.

[00:23:09]Hold on. Hold on. So, here's here's what I would say.

[00:23:16]We do.

[00:23:18]Um >> [snorts] >> The only thing I would know to do is go through the motion.

[00:23:33]Get an updated report that would include substance abuse assessment, where we are now, more information about all of that, and then we can see what our options are. I mean, the motion has been holding it open, and so I can What can I do from 2011? [clears throat] If the motion's holding it open, I mean, I don't know that I can extend because we're past She started probation >> [clears throat] >> 2011. December 2011.

[00:24:10]Um I guess what I would like to do as part of that update is just for the probation department to give us whatever options there are. If she can be extended. Now, I do know I could do a we can convict and then do a a straight probation, I think would be an option. I don't know if Um so, what's if if if you want to do that, talk to her about it.

[00:24:34]Yeah, y'all visit, and then we can just go through the motion, get the pleas of true or not true, let probation do a more detailed um visit and figure out what's been going on and where, and maybe confirm some of those things, and then we can um see what our options are when we come back for sentencing. It's the only thing I know to do. I agree, Judge.

[00:24:53]It's a unique situation, and I believe [clears throat] that we need we need I'd like to hear his probation.

[00:24:58]Sure. Okay. So, to visit with her if y'all want to do that, we can go through the motions today and then we'll see where we are.

[00:25:07]All right, are you Lottie Johnson?

[00:25:09]>> Yes, ma'am. And Mr. Parker, will your client waive the formal reading of the indictment?

[00:25:13]>> Yes, ma'am. Mr. Johnson, in cause number 24 DCCR 2388, the state has elected to proceed on count one only and in that count to the lesser included offense of a class A misdemeanor resisting arrest.

[00:25:27]Um and that's from October 24th of 2024.

[00:25:30]And how do you plead to that charge?

[00:25:32]>> Guilty.

[00:25:32]Are you pleading guilty freely and voluntarily? Yes, ma'am. And are you pleading guilty because you actually did what they've charged you with?

[00:25:39]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:25:40]I have here on the computer some documents that have your signature on them that the state has marked as exhibit number one.

[00:25:47]Before you signed these, did you go over them with Mr. Parker?

[00:25:49]>> Yes, ma'am. And do you fully understand them?

[00:25:52]>> Yes, ma'am. And do you understand if I follow the agreement that you've made with the district attorney that you will be waiving or giving up any right to appeal? Yes, ma'am.

[00:26:01]>> [snorts and clears throat] >> And are you a US citizen, sir? Yes, ma'am.

[00:26:05]Uh state tenders number one.

[00:26:07]>> No objection. It's admitted. Is there any evidence that Mr. Johnson's not competent?

[00:26:11]>> No, ma'am.

[00:26:13]All right, Mr. Johnson, I'm going to find that you entered your plea of guilty freely and voluntarily, find that you're mentally competent and you understand the nature and the consequences of your plea, find sufficient evidence to find you guilty and at this time find you guilty of the lesser offense of resisting arrest, sentence you in accordance with that agreement to a term of 200 days in the Jefferson County Jail. You will receive credit on that sentence for any time that you've been in custody that the law gives you the right to receive. It Y'all have already got >> Got the time, sir. the 200 days has Y'all confirmed that. So, it looks like you have 200 days credit and so you should be um So, you're getting 200 days and you have 200 days even. It's 210 days I think.

[00:26:57]Okay. All right. So, I'm handing you the trial court certification that shows this was an agreement that I followed.

[00:27:03]So, you've waived your right to appeal.

[00:27:05]Good luck to you, sir. All right. Thank you. You can go back with the bailiff.

[00:27:09]You have