Montgomery County Jury Delivers 50-Year Sentence to Habitual DWI Offender

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- A Montgomery County jury has sentenced Eugenio Les Zavala, 34, to 50 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after finding him guilty of Driving While Intoxicated (Third or More). The two-day trial commenced on July 20, 2026, and concluded with Zavala’s conviction and sentencing on July 21, 2026, in the 221 District Court before the Honorable Keith Stewart sitting by assignment for the Honorable Lisa Michalk.

The conviction stems from a traffic stop conducted by Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies, who encountered Zavala as the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the investigation, Zavala became argumentative, refused to exit the vehicle, and physically resisted deputies. Officers observed numerous signs of intoxication, including the odor of alcohol, slurred speech, glossy eyes, and two beers inside the vehicle.

Zavala refused to perform standardized field sobriety tests and declined requests to provide a breath or blood specimen. A deputy then obtained a search warrant for a blood draw, which later revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.150, nearly twice the legal limit.

Zavala chose to represent himself during trial with standby counsel present.

During the punishment phase, prosecutors established that this was Zavala’s fifth conviction for Driving While Intoxicated. They also proved his prior felony convictions and habitual felony offender status, increasing the punishment range to 25 years to life imprisonment. After considering the evidence and Zavala’s criminal history, the jury assessed punishment at 50 years.

Assistant District Attorney James Roberts prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Texas.

“Five DWI convictions tell a story. At some point, repeated chances become repeated choices. The jury recognized that this pattern endangered everyone who shares our roads, and their verdict reflects the seriousness of that risk,” said Assistant District Attorney James Roberts.

District Attorney Mike Holley said habitual impaired driving is not simply a traffic offense. It is a continuing threat to public safety.

“Justice is measured not only by the cases we prosecute, but by the lives we help protect. When someone repeatedly chooses to endanger others, our responsibility is clear: act decisively before another family pays the price,” Holley said.