Judge Stephanie Boyd accepts pleas, defers adjudication and sentences defendants in multiple cases

Presiding Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court in Bear County presided over a docket that included guilty pleas, deferred-adjudication applications and one immediate jail sentence on Monday.

In 2026 CR 006455, State v. Carlos Hernandez, the defendant waived his right to a jury trial and entered a no-contest plea to the lesser-included offense of possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1, under one gram. The court accepted stipulations of evidence and found sufficient proof to adjudicate Hernandez guilty of the lesser offense. Judge Boyd sentenced Hernandez to 100 days in the Bear County Jail, credited him for time already served, imposed a $600 fine, and ordered that time and fines run concurrently. The judge also ordered conditions of supervision that include no residing in households with minors and no unsupervised contact with minors.

The court handled two causes involving Joseé Salazar Jr. (cause numbers 2026 CR0000424 and 2026 CR0000426). Counsel confirmed receipt of discovery and the state proceeded on the indictments (one cause listed as unauthorized use of a vehicle, the other proceeding on a lesser-included robbery offense). Salazar applied for deferred adjudication. Judge Boyd deferred a finding of guilt and set further processing and a reset/plea date of August 6, emphasizing that Salazar must comply with pre-sentencing interviews, testing and appointments required by probation.

In 2025 CR 0006784, State v. Lafayette Pate, defense counsel confirmed discovery and tendered a plea under terms reflected in the plea paperwork. The state recommended deferred adjudication with conditions including a six-year term recommendation, a TAP evaluation, 200 hours of community service, restitution to the complainant of $125, enrollment in recommended courses (including an anti-theft program), and no possession of firearms. The plea form referenced a $1,000 fine. Judge Boyd accepted stipulations and, after finding sufficient evidence, deferred a finding of guilt consistent with the defendant's application.

Case 2026 CR00006730, State v. Lenel Deorest Taylor, proceeded with counsel confirming discovery and the defendant pleading no contest with stipulations of testimony. Judge Boyd found the state's exhibits sufficient and deferred adjudication at the defendant's request. The court ordered standard supervision conditions and additional restrictions noted in the plea paperwork, including a probated $1,000 fine, community service requirements, routine UA testing and a no-contact restriction with a location identified in court as "HB number 15" (1520 Austin Highway, San Antonio). The record reflects administrative coordination for transfer and field visits if Dallas County conducts supervision.

The court also set a 45-day plea-deadline for Jesse Alazando and scheduled plea/reset deadlines and jury-trial timelines where agreements are not reached by the deadlines. For several matters the court emphasized that if counsel reach plea agreements before the scheduled dates they may move up the hearing; otherwise the next setting may proceed toward trial.

Judge Boyd repeatedly reminded defendants they were waiving trial rights by pleading, outlined the sentencing ranges and collateral consequences (including immigration consequences for noncitizens), and urged individuals with substance-use or mental-health needs to work with probation and treatment providers. Several defendants were excused after signing reset forms or completing procedural steps. The court made clear follow-up duties for counsel and probation officers and set multiple August reset and plea-deadline dates.

Next procedural steps: cases with deferred-adjudication applications will return on the dates set in court records (including August 6 and August 10), and counsel were instructed to file or notify the clerk if agreements are reached earlier.