Celso Seabo Garza II has been sentenced to eight years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Obstruction or Retaliation, Henderson County District Attorney’s Office announced. The sentence was handed down by 392nd District Court Judge Scott McKee.
The case stemmed from an incident on April 24, 2024, when Athens Police Officer Matthew Halbert responded to a 9-1-1 hangup on W. College Street. A male caller had threatened to kill his wife and himself.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with Garza’s girlfriend outside the home before Garza emerged, stating he would shoot the officer and his wife, demanding that she watch as he was shot by police. He then yelled that he would retrieve a gun and open fire on officers.
Henderson County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Joshua Rickman arrived to assist, and Garza was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest, Garza was on parole and has a prior felony record.
First Assistant District Attorney Daniel Cox prosecuted the case.
