The plea agreement between 44 year old Michael Melson Jr. and the district attorney’s office includes an eight year sentence and restitution of almost $5,300 dollars.
Melson admitted to stealing air conditioning equipment in 2017, a vehicle in 2018 that was recovered with significant damage, and a trailer, boat, and motor last year that was abandoned, picked up by someone else, and sold.
Melson also pleaded guilty but prosecution was barred on two counts of driving with a suspended license with prior convictions.
According to prosecutors, Melson has previously served time for burglary of a habitation, theft, forgery, credit/debit card abuse, and possession of a controlled substance.
News release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office:
On Wednesday June 23, 2021, Michael Melson, 44, pled guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison for two counts of Theft with Prior Convictions and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
Melson had previously served prison time for the felony offenses of Burglary of a Habitation, Theft, Forgery, Debit/Credit Card Abuse, and Possession of a Controlled Sub-stance.
Melson also has two prior theft convictions, as well as convictions for Failure to Identify, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving While License Invalid.
On the morning of June 2, 2017, Bryan police officers were dispatched to a call of a vehicle that was high-centered on a median with air conditioning equipment in the back. A witness on scene reported that the AC equipment may have been stolen. After an investigation, officers determined that the AC equipment was in fact stolen from a business in the general vicinity of where the vehicle had gotten stuck. Further investigation revealed that additional stolen AC equipment had previously been dropped off at Melson’s home.
On August 17, 2018, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was recovered 3 days later at a local gas station with significant damage. Video evidence showed the defendant dropping the vehicle off at the gas station.
On February 10, 2020, a victim report that his trailer, boat, and motor had been stolen from his driveway that morning. Witnesses saw two males driving a white Toyota Tacoma take the items. Through further investigation, officers determined that the vehicle was being driven by Melson. During an interview with Melson, Melson admitted to taking boat and abandoning it behind Home Depot where it was later picked up by another person and sold.