Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – A Hidalgo County Judge sentenced Justin Rhys Scepanski, 32, to 30 years in prison after he entered a plea of guilty for multiple aggravated robberies, announced Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios.
On September 10, 2023, a Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to 8913 Val Verde Vista Street in Edinburg, Texas, and made contact with a victim. According to the victim, a male he referred to as “Wero” held him at gunpoint while he demanded possession of his black 1995 GMC Yukon. The male proceeded to shoot him, striking him in the abdominal area, before taking off in the SUV. “Wero” was positively identified as Justin Scepanski and a warrant was issued for the Edinburg man’s arrest.
On September 19, 2023, McAllen officers responded to DYN Wireless located at 1001 S. 10thStreet in McAllen, Texas, in reference to a robbery. Contact was made with the store employee who stated that a male subject shot at him as he was trying to stop the male from stealing merchandise from the business. According to the employee, he chased the male outside and a struggle ensued, resulting in the male subject pulling out a handgun. Upon sight of the firearm, the employee ran away and the male discharged the firearm in his direction. A bullet grazed the employee’s body and the male fled the scene on foot. The male subject was positively identified as Scepanski and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On September 21, 2023, Scepanski fled in a vehicle after McAllen police officers spotted him and recognized him as an aggravated robbery suspect. After losing control of the vehicle, Scepanski exited and fled on foot. Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to set up a perimeter in an effort to locate Scepanski. He was ultimately found in the back of a dump truck located in the alleyway of 501 Grambling Avenue in McAllen, Texas, and was placed under arrest.
Justin Scepanski was charged with aggravated robberies, evading arrest with a vehicle, resisting arrest and multiple thefts that he had committed while out on probation. The Honorable Judge Mario E. Ramirez of the 332nd District Court, Hidalgo County, Texas, sentenced Scepanski to 30 years in prison for the Aggravated Robbery charges, 10 years on the Evading Arrest charge, and 2 years on the theft charges. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The charges and resulting plea are the result of investigations conducted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and the McAllen Police Department.
Assistant District Attorneys Monica Barron Auger and Kelley Patrick McCormick prosecuted the cases.
