Presentence investigation ordered for Almaguer in Little League theft case

2^nd 25^th Judicial District Judge Jessica Crawford on Nov. 8 ordered a presentence investigation be performed in the case of Jennifer Lynn Almaguer, who is charged with embezzlement and misuse of Gonzales Little League organizational funds.

Almaguer is also expected to appear back in court on Jan. 9 after Crawford reset her pre-trial hearing to that date.

A presentence investigation, or PSI, is usually ordered in a felony case in Texas where a judge is expected to impose sentence and often happens when a defendant wishes to plead guilty and then seeks leniency or mercy from the court in assessing punishment.

Article 42A.252 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states that “before the imposition of the sentence by a judge, the judge shall direct a supervision officer to prepare a presentence report for the judge.

A judge is not required to seek a presentence report when punishment is to be assessed by a jury, or if the judge is informed that a plea bargain agreement exists, under which the defendant agrees to a punishment of imprisonment, and the judge intends to follow that agreement.

Almaguer was indicted for theft of more than $30,000 but less than $150,000, a third-degree felony.  On May 6, 2021, Little League officers made a report to the Gonzales Police Department regarding theft from their organization and alleged to have a signed confession regarding the missing money.