The office of District Attorney Michael Murray issued the following press release Thursday afternoon:
District Attorney Michael Murray reported that on Thursday, Nov. 4, Fernando Narvaez was convicted by a Brown County jury of Evading Arrest, Deadly Conduct, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm in the 35th Judicial District Court. Judge Mike Smith sentenced Narvaez to 25 years in prison, the minimum term for the offenses.
Assistant District Attorney Alex Hunn presented evidence to the jury on Tuesday. Sgt. Taylor and Officers Dekeraty, Sears, Tidwell with the Brownwood Police Department testified to the jury, and the jury was also presented with body camera footage and 9-1-1 recordings.
The evidence showed that Narvaez fought with then-girlfriend before retrieving a handgun. After she escaped into her home, he pounded on the door and threatened to shoot the door down. Four Brownwood Police Department officers, led by Sgt. Zane Taylor, moved toward Narvaez and, upon seeing Narvaez in his car holding the handgun, tried to calm him down.
Officers spent nearly 30 minutes in an armed standoff with Narvaez, who threatened repeatedly to kill himself. During this time, the officers tried to talk Narvaez into getting away from the gun and speaking with them. Narvaez then fled in his vehicle and was chased by Sgt. Taylor for 8 miles along the south side of Brownwood.
Narvaez had prior convictions for Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation, making the minimum sentence 25 years and the maximum sentence life prison.