GRAYSON COUNTY, TX - A Grayson County jury has sentenced Brooks Freeman, 44, of Denison, to 30 years in prison after finding him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, officials announced Wednesday.
The sentence was handed down January 14, 2026, in the 397th District Court, according to Grayson County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Freeman was convicted following a jury trial stemming from a traffic stop last year in Denison.
The case originated on May 27, 2025, when officers with the Denison Police Department observed Freeman run two stop signs and initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with Freeman, officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A subsequent search uncovered a firearm inside the car.
At the scene, Freeman admitted the gun was his. During trial, however, the defense argued Freeman made that statement to protect a passenger, who was later also charged and convicted in connection with the weapon. Evidence presented to the jury showed Freeman instructed the passenger to throw the firearm out of the window, but she instead placed it underneath her seat.
“We are thankful to the jury for taking their time looking at the evidence and getting this criminal off the streets of Grayson County,” said Assistant District Attorney Bi Hunt, who prosecuted the case.
Prosecutors detailed Freeman’s extensive criminal history during sentencing. In Texas, Freeman was convicted in 2013 of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and burglary of a habitation. While on parole in 2018, he evaded law enforcement in a vehicle and was returned to prison. In 2022, again while on parole, Freeman was convicted of burglary of a habitation and theft. He was on parole for that conviction when the current firearm offense occurred.
Freeman also has multiple prior prison sentences in Oklahoma, including convictions for burglary of a habitation, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, intimidating a witness, larceny, forgery, and concealing stolen property. He currently faces a pending burglary of a habitation case in Marshall County, Oklahoma.
“Retired District Judge Kim Cooks did Grayson County right this morning by sentencing this career criminal to 30 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,” said Grayson County Criminal District Attorney John Kermit Hill.
The case was presided over by retired District Judge Kim Cooks, sitting by assignment in the 397th District Court. Freeman was represented by defense attorney Zach Myers.
