30 Year Sentence Imposed in Grocery Store Robbery

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- A repeat violent offender who injured a 62-year-old grocery store manager while attempting to steal groceries from a local business was sentenced on July 28, 2026, to 30 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

James Lawrence Carey II, 41, received the sentence from Judge Kathleen Hamilton of the 359th District Court after a Montgomery County jury found him guilty of Robbery the previous day.

Assistant District Attorneys Levi Camden and Mary Garcia prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.

The evidence showed Carey attempted to leave Fruitlandia with approximately $80 worth of unpaid groceries. When store manager Ellen Patillo, 62, attempted to recover the shopping basket, Carey refused to let go and used force to escape. As he fled, he dragged Patillo from the store with the basket between them, causing her to strike a safety bollard and sustain injuries to her head, arm, and knees.

Carey fled into a nearby apartment complex, where law enforcement officers located him hiding on a stranger’s patio and took him into custody.

During the punishment hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that Carey had accumulated a violent criminal history spanning more than two decades. His prior convictions included Assault on a Public Servant, after biting a detention officer, and Retaliation, for threatening to murder a detention officer. The court also heard evidence that Carey had previously faced a factually similar robbery charge in Harris County that was ultimately reduced to misdemeanor theft. While awaiting trial in this case, Carey was additionally charged with Attempted Assault on a Public Servant after allegedly swinging through his jail cell bars at a detention officer.

“The moment Mr. Carey chose violence, this case stopped being about stolen groceries and became about protecting innocent people,” said Assistant District Attorney Levi Camden. “The evidence showed a repeated pattern of violent behavior and a complete disregard for the safety of others. Judge Hamilton’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this offense and the danger Mr. Carey posed to our community.”

District Attorney Mike Holley said the sentence underscores Montgomery 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. Mr. Carey learned that lesson with a 30-year sentence, and anyone else who makes the same choice can expect the same unwavering commitment from law enforcement and my office.”