Devance Convicted, Sentenced To 15 Years

Jury finds evidence in car theft case compelling

GILMER, TX, Feb. 19, 2009 -- A jury Tuesday found evidence and testimony presented in the felony Theft trial of Jimmy Michael 'Big Country' Devance convincing enough to return a verdict of guilty.

Today, Devance, 34, of Gladewater, was sentenced by Judge Lauren Parish in the 115th District Court to 15 years in the Texas Department of Corrections for the enhanced offense of felony Theft following that trial.

Assistant District Attorney, Edward Choy, prosecuted Devance, who stole an automobile from Mike Craig Ford in Gilmer on March 21, 2008. Devance took a 2O07 Chrysler 300 without paying under the ruse of wishing to purchase it and failed to return it. The car was eventually recovered in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Choy was pleased with the verdict. " The Jury paid close attention to all the evidence and sent a message that those who prey upon our citizens and businesses in Upshur County will be dealt with severely," he said.


Devance had a lengthy criminal history which included a prior felony conviction in Gregg County in 1995. Choy found other victims, including a 85 year old war veteran, Gerald French of Lufkin, who Devance defrauded in a roofing fraud scheme. French testified that Devance posed as a legitimate contractor who preyed upon victims whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Ike in Angelina County.

No word was released by Byrd on charges awaiting Devance in Lufkin relating to the alleged roofing fraud.