Burnet County ‘habitual offender’ sentenced to 35 years on evading arrest charge

On May 19, a Burnet County jury found Ryan Anthony Marshall, 40, of Granite Shoals, guilty of fleeing from police in a motor vehicle after a trial held in the 33rd Judicial District Court of Texas. Marshall had a lengthy criminal history, and his sentencing was enhanced due to his status as a “habitual offender.”

Marshall was sentenced to 35 years in prison by the jury. During the trial, the court heard that he had nine criminal convictions on his record, seven of which were felonies. He was also on parole for two previous convictions of fleeing from the police in a motor vehicle at the time of his latest arrest. 

According to Burnet County Jail records, Marshall was booked 34 times between 2004-2025.

A media release issued by the 33rd/424th District Attorney’s Office stated that Marshall reportedly fled from Granite Shoals police officers through residential areas of Granite Shoals in October 2025. He pleaded not guilty to the crime, sending the case to trial on May 19.

“Justice was served thanks to the exceptional work of the Granite Shoals Police Department and the diligence of the jury,” said Assistant District Attorney Sheri Bloom following the verdict.

Evading arrest with a motor vehicle is normally a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, that comes with up to one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines. But, since Marshall had prior evading arrest convictions and several other past felony convictions, he qualified for Texas Penal Code’s definition of a “habitual offender,” which comes with a punishment of 25 years to life in prison.

“A man who posed a serious danger to the community has been taken off the streets,” Assistant District Attorney Anthony Montes said. “The jury reached the right result, and we are proud to help protect the community from dangerous repeat offenders like this man.”

dakota@thepicayune.com