POLK COUNTY, TX – Raymond Leroy Smelley, Jr., a habitual offender, has been sentenced to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after a jury found him guilty of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a third-degree felony. The sentence was handed down by Judge John Wells III on July 16, 2025.
The trial began on May 5, 2025, with Assistant District Attorney Mackenzie Smith and First Assistant District Attorney Mike Davis representing the state. Evidence presented showed that Smelley and his co-defendants stole and stripped telecommunication wire from Highline, selling the copper for profit. This type of theft can disrupt essential services for residents, including news, phone lines, and critical medical devices.
Following the guilty verdict, the court proceeded to sentencing, where it heard testimony about Smelley’s prior convictions. Judge Wells subsequently issued the 25-year sentence.
The Polk County District Attorney’s Office thanked the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for its diligent work and thorough investigation, which provided the evidence necessary for the prosecution. District Attorney Shelly Sitton also expressed gratitude to the citizens who served on the jury.
