Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- On Tuesday, jurors in the 9th District Court of Montgomery County, Texas (Honorable Judge Phil Grant presiding) found Defendant Shannon Douglas Williams. 47, guilty of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver. The jury also found that the Defendant used a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense. On Thursday, the Honorable Phil Grant sentenced Williams to 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice — Institutional Division after hearing from multiple witnesses concerning the defendant's criminal history.

During trial, Assistant District Attorneys Michael Ghutzman and Donna Berkey presented evidence that on July 13, 2018 agents with the Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team (MOCONET) conducted a proactive narcotics investigation where they caught Williams in possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, a large amount of U.S. currency, and two pistols. Prosecutors also presented evidence from a number of witnesses that purchased and packaged Williams' narcotic for distribution.

During punishment, prosecutors presented evidence that Williams sexually assaulted a woman in 2015. In addition to the sexual assault, a Harris County Sheriff's Office detective presented additional evidence concerning Williams' drug dealing activities in Harris County. In 1997. Williams pled guilty and went to prison for Kidnapping. He has numerous felony and misdemeanor convictions dating back to 1989.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Ghutzman said of the verdict, 'I'd like to thank the detectives, deputies, and agents with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Safety, and all of our MOCONET partners for their assistance in taking this defendant off the streets. When you deal drugs while armed in Montgomery County, you're going to be dealt with harshly. Shannon Williams led a life of crime. It's now time for him to pay the price for it.'

Under Texas law, Williams will be eligible for parole after serving at least 30 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice — Institutional Division.