Pre-trial hearing reset for 18-wheeler assailant suspect

A pre-trial hearing has been reset for Aug. 14 for a Gonzales man accused of stealing an 18-wheeler and trying to use it to run over a police officer and a victim whose vehicle he had hit moments earlier.

Johnny Ray Longoria Jr., 35, stands charged with two counts of attempt to commit capital murder of a peace officer or fireman, two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle and one count of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. He is being represented by Adrian Perez.

The charges stem from an incident which occurred Oct. 8, 2022, when GPD officers were dispatched to the Circle G Truck Stop in reference to a hit-and-run incident. Officers were advised then that a subject had run on foot in an unknown direction.

It was while GPD Sgt. Cesar Martinez was on scene, speaking to the hit-and-run victim, that he observed an 18-wheeler traveling at a high rate of speed, neither slowing down nor making any effort to avoid striking the complainant or Sgt. Martinez.

The 18-wheeler then struck the victim’s vehicle as Sgt. Martinez and the victim managed to move frantically out of the way and avoid serious injury. The collision pushed the victim’s vehicle into a pasture on the opposite of the road as the 18-wheeler crossed US 183 traveling northbound with other officers in pursuit with lights and sirens blazing on their patrol cruisers.

The 18-wheeler began traveling on the opposite lane of traffic, striking several vehicles and entered Saint Joseph Street before coming to a stop, when a Hispanic male, later identified as Longoria, exited the 18-wheeler and ran into the 400 block of Village Drive.

Sgt. Martinez caught Longoria on foot and detained him, placing him under arrest and transporting him to the Gonzales County Jail. It turned out that Longoria had been the individual who reportedly had hit the victim’s car the first time and he had allegedly stolen the 18-wheeler and used it to hit the victim’s car the second time. Fortunately, neither Martinez nor the victim suffered any injuries in the incident.

Also reset for Aug. 14 are two pending cases for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against Bruce Evan Nicoletti Jr., 35, of Shiner, stemming from his involvement in a shooting incident that took place at Walmart in Gonzales on Veterans’ Day last year. The incident stemmed from what police said was an ongoing feud.

Lt. Jason Montoya of the Gonzales Police Department said at about 7:11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, GPD officers responded to Walmart regarding a call about shots fired. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a male complainant who said another man whose identity he knew pulled a firearm and pointed it at him, stating, “I am going to kill you.”

The complainant advised police he drew his weapon and fired at the subject, but at that time, it was not known whether anyone had been struck by a bullet.

GPD then received a call about a driver going the wrong way on Sarah DeWitt Drive. Officers were able to locate the described vehicle at Gonzales Healthcare Systems (Gonzales Memorial Hospital), where a male subject, later identified as Nicoletti, was found in the emergency room after suffering a gunshot wound. He was transported by ambulance to San Antonio Medical Center for treatment but did not have life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported. After surveillance video appeared to support the complainant and witnesses’ statements, Nicoletti was arrested two days later in Shiner.

The investigation was being jointly worked by the Gonzales Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers and two firearms were seized as part of the investigation — one from the complainant and one from Nicoletti.

Also, the man accused of striking Gonzales Police Officer Marisol Sanchez with his vehicle had his hearing reset to Aug. 31.

Pavel Antonio Ramirez is charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury.

Sanchez was assisting the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office with traffic diversion after a collision between two 18-wheelers on I-10 by mile marker 655 near Waelder on June 14, 2021, when she was hit by a car authorities say was driven by Ramirez. Sanchez was airlifted to Ascension Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle but has since recovered and come back to work for GPD.

Other notable cases reset

• August Allen Eacho Jr., sexual abuse of a child, continuous, victim under 14; sexual assault of a child; indecency with a child by sexual contact; attempt to commit aggravated sexual assault of a child — reset to Aug. 31.

• Roger Lynn Flores, sexual abuse of a child, continuous, victim under 14; indecency with a child by sexual contact; failure to comply with a sex offender’s duty to register for life annually — cases reset to Sept. 13, Nov. 28 and Dec. 4.

• Errick Dshaun King, smuggling of persons five counts — reset to Aug. 14 and Adrian Perez appointed defense counsel.

• Terrance Smith, failure to comply with a sex offender’s duty to register for life annually — reset for Aug. 14.

• Joshua Matthew Tristan, aggravated assault date/family/house member with weapon; continuous violence against family; assault family/house member impeding breath or circulation; stalking — reset for Aug. 31.

• Chrystal Gayle VanZandt, sexual abuse of a child continuous, victim under 14, two counts; sexual performance of a child produce/direct/promote — reset for Aug. 31.