Jonathan Zarzoza of Houston, Texas, was arrested by the Houston Police Department on December 10, 2013, and charged with possession of cocaine after officers seized a powdery substance from him that field-tested positive for cocaine.
Two days later, 18-year-old Zarzoza pled guilty to possession of less than 1 gram of a controlled substance and was placed on deferred adjudication for two years.
The Houston Police Department crime laboratory tested the powder in early 2014 and found it contained no controlled substance.
On February 21, 2014, the Harris County Dstrict Attorney's Office filed a motion to vacate the conviction and dismiss the charge. A judge approved the dismissal that day.
- Ken Otterbourg
Two days later, 18-year-old Zarzoza pled guilty to possession of less than 1 gram of a controlled substance and was placed on deferred adjudication for two years.
The Houston Police Department crime laboratory tested the powder in early 2014 and found it contained no controlled substance.
On February 21, 2014, the Harris County Dstrict Attorney's Office filed a motion to vacate the conviction and dismiss the charge. A judge approved the dismissal that day.
- Ken Otterbourg
Posting Date: 06-16-2020
Last Update Date: 06-16-2020
Case Details:
State:
Texas
County:
Harris
Most Serious Crime:
Drug Possession or Sale
Reported Crime Date:
2013
Convicted:
2013
Exonerated:
2014
Sentence:
Probation
Race / Ethnicity:
White
Sex:
Male
Age at the date of reported crime:
18
Contributing Factors:
False or Misleading Forensic Evidence
Did DNA evidence contribute to the exoneration?:
No