Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – A Hidalgo County judge has sentenced Juan Jesus Reyes Jr., 34, of Edinburg, Texas, to 25 years in prison following his conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A jury found Reyes guilty on Dec. 10, 2025, after a four-day trial in the 476th District Court. On Feb. 26, 2026, Judge Luis Singleterry imposed the 25-year sentence.
The conviction stems from a road rage incident that occurred on Feb. 26, 2023, in Progreso, Texas. Evidence presented at trial showed that Reyes and two co-defendants pursued a 16-year-old driver and his two juvenile passengers following a traffic dispute. Testimony and surveillance video demonstrated that Reyes attempted to force entry into the victims’ vehicle while stopped at a traffic signal. He then chased the vehicle for several miles.
Video evidence further showed Reyes slashing one of the vehicle’s tires. After the vehicle stopped near a relative’s residence, Reyes pursued the teenage driver on foot and stabbed him in the back as the victim attempted to seek safety inside the home.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Troy Tijerina and John Goodman II. During sentencing, prosecutors emphasized the violent and unprovoked nature of the attack and the need to deter similar acts of roadway violence in Hidalgo County.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios commended the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation.
“Road rage and street violence have no place in our community,” Palacios said. “This conviction reflects our commitment to protecting families and holding violent offenders accountable.”
Because of a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to smuggle undocumented immigrants, Reyes was subject to an enhanced punishment range under Texas law.
