By Cheryl Skinner 

A 45 year old Houston man was sentenced last week to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Burglary of a Habitation. The crimes were committed in an unincorporated area near Missouri City in late 2008.

Michael Earl Chaney,45, of Houston, appeared before 434th District Court Judge James H. Shoemake during a hearing to determine his punishment, said Assistant District Attorney Jill Stotts.

Stotts said that Chaney drove by his ex-girlfriend’s house in late 2008 and saw her new boyfriend’s car parked there.  He apparently became so enraged that he broke into the house through a window. Chaney threatened the new boyfriend with a box cutter if he didn’t leave. After forcing the man out, Chaney locked the front door before breaking through the bedroom door to get at his ex-girlfriend, who was hiding from him.

He assaulted her and forced her to perform sex acts while he held the box cutter. Because the victim had dialed 911 as soon as she heard breaking glass, the police arrived quickly and most of the incident can be heard on the call. Chaney ran out the back door as the police came to the front but he ran straight to his victim’s mother’s house.  The defendant broke into her house but left after being confronted by the victim’s brother. Chaney surrendered to authorities the next day. 

Chaney has a previous conviction for arson involving the residence of an ex-girlfriend and also the residence of her parents. The defendant served only six years of a 15 year prison sentence and was weeks away from completing his parole when he committed these new crimes, prosecutors said.   

“We are pleased the judge recognized and punished the defendant’s pattern of behavior in regards to his former girlfriends,” said Stotts.  “This sentence sends a clear message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in Fort Bend County.”

Both crimes in this case are first-degree felonies punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000.  Under Texas law, Chaney will be approximately 70 years old before he can be considered for parole again.

Stotts and Assistant DA Natalie Sarfin prosecuted the case. Attorney Eric Ashford represented Cheney.

Back to Top