Olney man given 25-year sentence for aggravated assault

Troy Edward Holt, 53, of Olney, was found guilty Wednesday night in the 90th Judicial District Court on the charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Holt was sentenced to 25 years of confinement in the correctional institution of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, issued a fine of $2,500 and ordered to pay $340 in court costs.

Holt was indicted in April and accused of intentionally, knowingly and recklessly causing bodily harm to Melissa Partin, then 52, of Olney, on May 24, 2020. The indictment cited two previous cases involving Holt in two Habitual Felony Offender Enhancement Paragraphs. Holt was charged with Felony Theft of Over $750 and Under $20,000 on January 17, 1990, in Ector County, Texas and was convicted. On May 21, 1992, Holt was convicted of Aggravated Robbery in Gregg County, Texas.

As a Habitual Felony Offender, Holt was facing a minimum of 25 years up to life imprisonment.

“Normally, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon is a second-degree felony punishable by a sentence anywhere from two (2) to 20 years in prison with a fine not to exceed $10,000,” the 90th Judicial District Assistant District Attorney Phillip Gregory wrote in a release. “However, Mr. Holt had two prior, sequential institutional division convictions that he admitted to during the guilt/innocence phase and again in the punishment phase of the trial. These two prior convictions enhanced his punishment range from a minimum of 25 years to a maximum of 99 years or life imprisonment.”

For the full story, see the Wednesday, June 15 edition of The Graham Leader.