Faustino Villarreal was convicted of Harassment by County Court at Law No. 2 Presiding Judge Jeffrey A. McMeans on September 2, 2020 after a trial to the judge. The 71-year old Richmond resident was charged after repeatedly calling and following his daughter-in-law against her wishes in 2018-2019.
According to Assistant District Attorney Veronica L. Jones, the complainant started receiving continuous harassing phone calls from her father-in-law, Faustino Villarreal, on December 18, 2018 and continuing forward to April 2019. The defendant had been told many times, after numerous instances of harassing behavior and appearing unannounced at her home at random times of the night, to no longer make contact with the family. Villarreal refused to honor the complainant’s request, and instead continued to harass her with numerous phone calls and messages over a period of nearly four months. At the same time as these harassing phone calls, the defendant was also following the complainant, continuously driving past her home, appearing at her children’s school, and following her at church. The complainant was scared of the defendant’s erratic behavior, and was not only concerned for her safety, but that of her family.
Villarreal’s only defense was that he harassed his daughter-in-law in attempts to see his grandchildren, but admitted to his harassing behavior. After considering all the evidence, Judge McMeans returned a verdict finding Villarreal guilty of Harassment. Thereafter, the defendant was sentenced to 9 months’ probation and counseling. He was also ordered to stay away from and no longer contact the complainant and her family. The complainant was happy with the outcome and felt safer knowing Villarreal was ordered to stay away from her and her family.
“This case is not about a sad grandfather. This case is about boundaries. The defendant crossed the personal boundaries outlined for him and went outside of what was allowed by law,” said lead prosecutor Veronica L. Jones. “This case had its challenges, but the outcome helped ensure the safety of the victim and her family and made it clear that this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated.”
Harassment in this case is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in the county jail and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000.