Repeat Violent Offender Sentenced to 30 Years for Injuring Grocery Store Manager During Robbery

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A repeat violent offender has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after dragging a 62-year-old grocery store manager during a robbery at a local grocery store, causing injuries that required medical attention.

James Lawrence Carey II, 41, was sentenced on July 28 by Judge Kathleen Hamilton of the 359th District Court after a Montgomery County jury found him guilty of robbery the previous day.

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred when Carey attempted to leave Fruitlandia grocery store with approximately $80 worth of unpaid groceries.

Store manager Ellen Patillo, 62, confronted Carey and attempted to recover the shopping basket before he could leave the business.

Rather than surrendering the merchandise, Carey refused to release the basket and used force to escape, prosecutors said.

As he fled, Carey dragged Patillo out of the store while both were holding onto the shopping basket. During the struggle, Patillo struck a safety bollard, suffering injuries to her head, arm and knees.

After leaving the store, Carey fled into a nearby apartment complex, where law enforcement officers located him hiding on a stranger’s patio and arrested him.

During the punishment phase of the trial, Assistant District Attorneys Levi Camden and Mary Garcia presented evidence detailing Carey’s lengthy criminal history, which spans more than two decades.

Jurors heard that Carey previously was convicted of assault on a public servant after biting a detention officer and retaliation for threatening to murder a detention officer.

Prosecutors also introduced evidence showing Carey had previously faced a similar robbery charge in Harris County that was later reduced to misdemeanor theft.

While awaiting trial in the Montgomery County case, Carey was charged with attempted assault on a public servant after allegedly swinging through the bars of his jail cell in an attempt to strike a detention officer.

“The moment Mr. Carey chose violence, this case stopped being about stolen groceries and became about protecting innocent people,” Assistant District Attorney Levi Camden said. “The evidence showed a repeated pattern of violent behavior and a complete disregard for the safety of others.”

Montgomery County District Attorney Mike Holley said the lengthy prison sentence reflects the county’s commitment to protecting victims and holding repeat violent offenders accountable.

“The good, hardworking people of Montgomery County deserve more than our respect. They deserve our protection,” Holley said. “When someone chooses violence against innocent people, there will be consequences.”

Carey will serve his sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.