Galveston County Jury Sentences Man to 25 Years for Sixth DWI Conviction

A Galveston County jury sentenced Gerardo Diaz Deleon to 25 years in prison on Tuesday for his felony conviction of driving while intoxicated (DWI), third or more.

The conviction stems from an incident on Cinco De Mayo weekend of 2024, when Texas City officers responded to a report of an individual passed out behind the wheel of a running vehicle at the Mall of the Mainland. Officers found Diaz Deleon in the driver’s seat with an open bottle of alcohol in the car. After waking him up, they observed signs of intoxication, leading to his arrest.

During the trial, Assistant District Attorney Quinten McConico presented body camera footage showing Diaz Deleon admitting to drinking and driving that evening. Blood test results revealed Diaz Deleon’s blood alcohol concentration was more than four times the legal limit. The jury convicted him of DWI, third or more, a felony offense.

In the punishment phase, the jury was informed Diaz Deleon had five previous DWI convictions spanning three decades and three counties, including two prison sentences. While testifying, Diaz Deleon lost track of how many convictions he had. McConico argued that Diaz Deleon had been given enough opportunities, prompting the jury to sentence him to 25 years in prison for being a habitual offender.

The case was heard in the 56th Judicial District Court, with Judge Lonnie Cox presiding. The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office commended the Texas City Police Department for their work on the case.