By Matt Ward —
A local veteran who attempted to commit suicide by instigating a shootout with local police at the Valero gas station on Dec. 18, 2013 has begun a 10-year sentence, following final judgment Thursday.
Victor Antonio Valdez, 25, pled guilty in Boerne to 12 counts of aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated robbery on June 2, 18 months after a three-hour standoff ended with gunfire but no major injuries to law enforcement.
After a Kendall County jury rendered a sentence of 10 years in prison on the 12 aggravated assault counts and 10 years of probation on the two aggravated robbery counts, N. Keith Williams, judge for the 216th District, confirmed the sentence Thursday during a post-trial hearing at the Gillespie County Jail.
Williams noted that the jury was “really adamant that they wanted you (Valdez) to receive treatment” but that they insisted he serve prison time for conduct “totally out of line regardless of your condition …. military service.”
Valdez will receive time served for the 18-months’ imprisonment while awaiting trial, though Williams added payment of $4,000 in district court fees and discounted attorney’s fees upon his release from prison.
“You’ve shown dedication and courage as a Marine and I hope you can show the same dedication and courage to get your life back together,” Williams told Valdez.
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