Four men convicted in Wood County for sex crimes, drug offenses

Published 5:02 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Wood County reported the conviction of four men for drugs and sex crimes involving women and children on July 9.

District Attorney Angela echoed similar statements at each conviction, stating, “This sentence sends a message that Wood County protects its citizens and that people who commit sexual assaults will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Mac Dewayne Ford

Mac Dewayne Ford, of Tyler, was sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after he pleaded guilty on June 11 to sexually assaulting a Quitman woman in May 2018.

As part of the plea bargain, Ford was also ordered to pay a $3,000.00 fine and to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

In May 2018, the Quitman Police Department was notified of a woman at UT Health in Quitman stating she had been sexually assaulted.

“I am very pleased with the outcome of this case. The Defendant is a clear and present danger to society and the sentence reflects that,” Albers said. “Ford committed a heinous crime against one of the women of our county, and he was held accountable for his actions. I hope this brings the victim some peace and she can move on and live her life to the fullest.”

The indictment against Ford’s co-defendant, Reginald Sessions, remains pending and Sessions is awaiting trial.

Anthony Shane French

Anthony Shane French, of Lindale, was convicted of online solicitation of a minor by a Wood County jury on July 2. French was found guilty of sending sexually explicit text messages to a 16-year-old female with the intent to commit indecency with a child.

French was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and to register as a sex offender.

“The jury’s verdict was swift and the only verdict they could have reached in this case,” Albers said. “The Defendant is clearly a danger to the most vulnerable members of our community, our children. The Defendant is going to prison where he belongs.”

Shannon Bryan Quinn

Shannon Bryan Quinn, of Winnsboro, was convicted on June 27 of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old child in July 2010. Quinn was found guilty of the allegations and was sentenced to fifteen years—the maximum possible sentence being twenty years—in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice pursuant to the terms of a plea bargain.

As a result of the conviction, Quinn must register as a sex offender for life. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,100.

“Quinn is a sexual predator, and fortunately, he is going to be locked away from the rest of society. It is my hope that this conviction helps the victim and her family move on and she is able to live her life to the fullest,” Albers said.

Ricky Joe Scott, Jr.

On June 27, Ricky Joe Scott, Jr., of Point, pleaded guilty to possessing 1.26 grams of methamphetamine in September 2019. Scott was sentenced to eight years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice pursuant to the terms of a plea bargain.

Scott was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,500.

“These two men are dangers to our county, and the sentences handed down in these cases reflect that, sending a loud and clear message that committing crimes in Wood County will not be tolerated and individuals who do so will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Albers said.