District Attorney Micheal Murray reported that on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, Joanna Ellen Hopkins, AKA Jeanna Hopkins, was convicted of the offense Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Drug Free Zone and sentenced to serve thirty years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Hopkins was convicted following a trial in front of Judge Mike Smith that began on Monday. Assistant District Attorney, Skyler Schoolfield, presented evidence that Hopkins was in possession of 4.86 grams of Methamphetamine, approximately 40 pills of Alprazolam, and marijuana with the intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of Gladys Seward Park, which is a Drug Free Zone. The State further presented evidence through Detectives Ray Slayton and Aaron Taylor that Hopkins was a part of a large methamphetamine distribution ring in Brownwood, where she was one of the top three dealers.

Officer Roberto Rodriguez, Detective Ray Slayton, and Detective Aaron Taylor with the Brownwood Police Department, Brandon McMillian reserve officer with the Early Police Department, Herman Carrel with the DPS Crime Lab, and Gary Hurtado with the City of Brownwood testified during the trial.

Hopkins was sentenced as a repeat offender based on her prior felony conviction for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Drug Free Zone in Brown County, Texas. Because Hopkins had a prior conviction with a Drug Free Zone finding, Hopkins will not be eligible for probation until she has served at least fifteen years of her sentence.