25-year-old convicted drug dealer allowed to remain on probation even after 5 new felony charges

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Jose Roberto Hernandez has the financial means to post bonds totaling $350,000.

Yet, according to court documents, he needs Harris County taxpayers to foot the bill for his defense attorney.

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On April 14, 2023, Hernandez is sentenced to five years' probation for possession with intent to deliver.

"Within a matter of months, he's already violated his probation because he picked up an evading arrest felony charge," said Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers.

"Next case on the docket is Jose Hernandez, please stand up," the magistrate said during his probable cause hearing.

Hernandez being on probation is discussed in probable cause court.

"There's been a warrant issued for his arrest," the prosecutor said. "Additionally, it looks as though the defendant is pending or out on bond for smuggling persons, three felonies out of Brewster County at the time of this offense."

"Then he picks up four more felonies, including possession of a prohibited weapon, a machine gun," Kahan said.

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Hernandez is granted more bonds, but with his probation intact, he remains free. 

"He's basically flipping the bird at the court, saying he's going to do whatever the hell he wants to when he wants to do it. That's a problem, because all he is doing now is terrorizing the citizens of Harris County," said Doug Griffith, President of the Houston Police Officers Union.

"He's had two motions to revoke his probation, but the court had yet to make a decision," said Kahan.

Even though he could cough up $35,000 for five felony bonds, Hernandez told the court he needed a public defender.

He is scheduled to be back in the 338th Court on January 22.

We will let you know if his probation is revoked.