Montgomery County jury delivers 43-year wake-up call

THE WOODLANDS, TX — Felix Shawn Ramirez, Jr. had every chance to stop. But, on the night he flipped his SUV across multiple lanes of traffic with a blood alcohol level of 0.204, he proved again that he wouldn’t — and that someone else would have to stop him.

On Thursday, June 27, 2025, a Montgomery County jury did just that — convicting Ramirez of felony Driving While Intoxicated. The conviction marked his sixth DWI. Four days later, on Monday, July 1, that same jury returned a 43-year prison sentence and affirmed a deadly weapon finding, ensuring that Ramirez will serve at least half his sentence before being considered for parole.

Prosecutors Luke VanNorman and Lianne Baldridge tried the case in the 9th District Court with Judge Phil Grant presiding. Over the course of a seven-day trial, jurors heard from seven witnesses, including law enforcement, eyewitnesses, and medical professionals.

The evidence presented at trial detailed an alarming sequence of events fueled by alcohol and disregard for the law. Ramirez had sideswiped another vehicle, lost control of his SUV, and violently flipped across the roadway, coming to rest in oncoming traffic. A nearby Montgomery County Pct. 1 Constable Deputy quickly arrived on scene and noted signs of intoxication — erratic behavior, mood swings, and a clear inability to comply with instructions.

At the hospital, Ramirez refused all sobriety testing and physically resisted a court-ordered blood draw, requiring law enforcement to restrain him. The result: a blood alcohol concentration of 0.204 — more than twice the legal limit.

But the crash wasn’t his first. After the conviction, jurors learned Ramirez’s record included multiple DWI convictions and prior prison terms. This wasn’t a one-time lapse in judgment — it was a pattern of dangerous choices that put innocent lives at risk.

There is no excuse — and no tolerance — for driving while intoxicated in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue justice for victims, hold repeat offenders accountable, and protect the roads we all share.

Assistant District Attorney Luke VanNorman said, “This jury carefully weighed the evidence and delivered justice — not just for this case, but for the safety of our entire community. Their verdict sends a clear message: repeat offenders who recklessly endanger lives will find no leniency in Montgomery County.”

District Attorney Brett Ligon said, “We’ve warned drunk drivers. We’ve prosecuted them. And in this case, we buried the keys. Felix Ramirez Jr. made it clear he didn’t care who he put in danger — now he’ll have 43 years behind bars to think about it.”