A Texas jury has sentenced Eugenio Les Zavala, 34, to 50 years in prison after convicting him of his fifth driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense. The conviction stems from an incident on February 17, 2025, in Montgomery County, Texas.
Zavala was arrested by Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies following a traffic stop. According to court records, he became argumentative and physically resisted officers when asked to exit his vehicle. Deputies noted signs of intoxication, including glossy eyes and slurred speech, and found two beers inside his car. Zavala refused a breathalyzer test, a field sobriety test, and a blood draw, prompting prosecutors to obtain a warrant for a blood sample. The subsequent test revealed his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.
Prosecutors presented evidence that this was Zavala's fifth DWI offense, arguing he was a habitual felony offender. His prior DWI arrests occurred in Harris County, Texas, in 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2023. During his two-day trial, prosecutors urged the jury to consider his history of felony convictions.
District Attorney Mike Holley stated, "When someone repeatedly chooses to endanger others, our responsibility is clear: act decisively before another family pays the price." He emphasized that Zavala posed a continued threat to public safety.
Under Texas law, individuals with two prior sequential felony convictions can face sentences ranging from 25 years to life imprisonment if deemed habitual offenders. Zavala, who pleaded not guilty and represented himself during the trial, was convicted of DWI on July 21. The jury subsequently set his punishment at 50 years.
Assistant District Attorney James Roberts commented on the verdict, stating, "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."
The sentence was handed down by Judge Keith Stewart in the 221st District Court. Zavala has since retained an attorney and has filed a notice of appeal. He remains in custody at the Montgomery County Jail.