Gang Member, Sex Offender Who Led Police On Chase Sentenced To 60 Years
McKINNEY, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – A judge sentenced a violent gang member to 60 years in prison after a Collin County jury found Arnulfo Mercado-Pena Jr. guilty of "evading arrest with a vehicle while using a deadly weapon."
According to the Collin County District Attorney's Office, in October 2017, Princeton Police Officer Curtis Humphreys saw Mercado-Pena, 32, speeding at 98 miles per hour on U.S 380.
Officer Humphreys tried to pull him over, but Mercado-Pena kept going.
Mercado-Pena led Humphreys on a high-speed chase for several miles along U.S. 380.
Eventually, Mercado-Pena turned off the highway, slowed to a low speed, and jumped from his vehicle while it was still moving.
Officer Humphreys pursued Mercado-Pena on foot for a short distance before Mercado-Pena surrendered.
During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence of Mercado-Pena's prior convictions including Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Failure to Stop and Render Aid, Aggravated Assault and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Additionally, Plano Police Officer Erin Merrit testified how Mercado-Pena's multiple tattoos identify Mercado-Pena as a member of the gang Tango Blast.
Judge John Roach Jr. presided over the case and found that Mercado-Pena's multiple convictions made him "a habitual offender," and sentenced him to 60 years in prison.
