The final defendant charged in connection with a 2024 armed home invasion was sentenced Monday to five years in prison.
Kothan Hernandez was the last of three defendants sentenced for his role in the break-in at the home of Chelsie Dawe and Jayden Rasmussen. Hernandez pleaded guilty to burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony other than theft, a first-degree felony.
The two other defendants received their punishments earlier this year. Josiah Morrison was sentenced by 198th District Judge Patrick Maguire to eight years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in August, while Christian Franco received 10 years of deferred adjudication and 350 hours of community service.
At Morrison's sentencing, Dawe testified that she was awakened in the middle of the night by four masked individuals armed with flashlights and firearms.
"They threatened to kill me, my family, my dog," she said. "They asked for my phone, my purse, my keys."
Dawe returned to testify at Hernandez's sentencing Monday, asking the court to sentence him to prison rather than deferred adjudication, which his defense attorney requested.
"I really just want accountability," she said. "Whatever it takes to change."
Dawe testified that she had considered Hernandez a friend and had a close relationship with his cousins. She said the home invasion left her with recurring nightmares.
"I feel like I'm always on edge," she said.
Hernandez took the stand and, with permission from prosecutor Ben Rosenbach, apologized to Dawe and Rasmussen.
"I'm truly sorry," he said. "I really am. I take full accountability for my actions."
Defense attorney Jonathan Michell asked the court to sentence Hernandez to 10 years of probation. Michell noted Hernandez had no prior criminal history and had employment opportunities waiting for him if released.
Michell also argued that Hernandez had already suffered significant consequences, including missing his father's death while incarcerated.
"This was a very poor decision," Michell said. "He has no criminal history. This case is ripe for probation. You know that probation can work because you have a willing client. You put him in prison and you're making a bad situation worse."
Michell presented the court with a letter from Hernandez's grandmother. Hernandez also testified that he felt he needed to be present for his mother, who had struggled during his incarceration.
However, Maguire pointed to Hernandez's conduct after the home invasion, including social media posts featuring firearms and what the court described as possible indirect threats made online.
"The thing that really stood out to me in this case is how badly this could have gone," Maguire said. "I do take into account that you don't have a criminal history. I pray that you take advantage of the programs in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice."
Maguire sentenced Hernandez to five years in prison.
Hernandez's mother, who was present in the courtroom, became visibly emotional after the sentence was announced.
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