HOUSTON – Prosecutors asked the 263rd Criminal District Court six times to revoke Nathan Ybarra's two probations.
However, Judge Melissa Morris would grant Ybarra a higher bail instead.
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They are only 20 years old, yet Ybarra and Eric Meza have each been arrested more than 20 times in Harris County alone.
“These two guys are basically two men on a killing spree,” said Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers.
Both Ybarra and Meza were released on bail of six dollars each.
“People who have violated multiple bail conditions should not be allowed to become repeat offenders and endanger the citizens of Houston and Harris County,” said Ken Nealy, first vice president of the Houston Police Union.
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Ybarra is serving two probation sentences in Harris County and another in Galveston County.
“If you keep committing the same crimes, you shouldn’t get probation,” Nealy said.
Six new criminal charges have been filed against Ybarra since his parole in July 2023.
Instead of revoking Ybarra's two suspended sentences in Harris County, Judge Melissa Morris of the 263rd Jail is granting Ybarra another bond so he can get out of prison.
“That's why we've lost faith in our criminal justice system,” Kahan said. “Because of people like Ybarra and his co-defendant Meza.”
Last Wednesday afternoon, Meza and Ybarra said they were caught red-handed stealing a car in the 10300 block of the East Freeway.
“The suspects attempted to use their vehicle to harm and physically injure one of our officers. Fearing for his life, our officer fired his weapon at the vehicle,” Nealy said.
“Tens of thousands of people were put in danger, law enforcement was put at great risk of their lives and even the defendants were put at risk,” Kahan said. “None of this should have ever happened. They should have been locked up.”