First Admitted: 2015, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://lancekennedy.com/meet-lance/

Bar/Professional Activity:

Lance Kennedy Law, Criminal Defense Attorney (2022 - Present), 2022
Board Member - Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2024
Utah State Bar (18444), 2022
Assistant United States Attorney January 2021—November 2022United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of TexasCarried a caseload of approximately 250 cases involving two oil-field deaths (Clean Air Act and civil rights violations); a Nigeria-based scammer who has laundered over $30,000,000; health care fraud; public corruption; national security crimes; possession and production of child pornography; and firearm, narcotics, and immigration offenses. Tried seven cases before federal juries receiving guilty verdicts in each. Member of the United States Attorney’s Project Safe Neighborhoods/violent crime working group. Member of El Paso OCDETF team actively prosecuting international organized crime syndicate leaders., 2021
The Supreme Court of the United States, 2021
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2021
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 2020
United States District Court, Western District of Texas, 2021
United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2020
Assistant District Attorney, Felony Prosecutor October 2019—December 2020Assistant District Attorney, Misdemeanor Chief Prosecutor July 2019—October 2019Gregg County Criminal District Attorney’s OfficeProsecuted a wide range of felony offenses, including murder, aggravated assault, manufacture and delivery of controlled substances, felony driving while intoxicated, and forgery. Appointed by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas (Tyler Division) as a Special Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting cases derived from Gregg County such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and federal firearm charges. Led a team of two misdemeanor prosecutors, three support staff, and a criminal investigator. Tried cases before the County Court at Law and juries, including high-profile cases involving a road rage incident (State v. Coy) and a fatal shooting of a toddler (State v. Daylain Jones)., 2018
State Bar of Texas (24094772), 2015
United States Army Reserve (Major - Judge Advocate)United States Army North, National Security Officer September 2022—Present505th Military Intelligence Brigade, Command Judge Advocate August 2020—October 2021490th Civil Affairs Battalion, Battalion Judge Advocate / International Law Attorney April 2019—August 20201st Legal Operations Detachment, Judge Advocate July 2015—April 2019, 2015

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

State of Texas v. Mann: The client faced charges for engaging in organized criminal activity, possession of a controlled substance, and burglary of a habitation. Given his criminal history, he could have received a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. We succeeded by employing an investigator and establishing our client's innocence, resulting in a complete dismissal of his case., 2025
State of Texas v. Trejo: Our client was initially charged with an aggravated assault of a family member, a first-degree felony facing up to 99 years or life in prison. We were successful in reducing the charge to a class A misdemeanor after hiring an investigator who provided exculpatory evidence that mitigated the offense. , 2025
State of Texas v. Edelman: The client faced five felony charges and a punishment range of 25 to life.Result: two cases resolved with short prison terms, two dismissed, and one 12.45’d into existing time., 2025
State of Texas v. Zanders: The State claimed our client pointed a gun at the police. We secured the body cam footage, which showed otherwise. The case was dismissed., 2024
State of Texas v. Cowart My client, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, was subject to homophobic slurs by a neighbor in his apartment complex. During one incident, and after being threatened with violence, my client produced a toy gun to scare off his would-be attacker. The attacker called the police. One year later, my client was arrested during a traffic stop. I produced evidence of the history of the attacker's homophobic behavior and the fact that the alleged firearm did not meet the statutory description of a gun. On the eve of the trial, the State dismissed the case, 2023
State of Texas v. BlevinsMy client was charged in a high-profile and widely-publicized case for threatening to shoot patrons at a Walmart. The sensationalized case caused the District Attorney to offer the maximum sentence. After arguing a motion to suppress evidence, the State amended its offer to the minimum sentence, which my client accepted.https://dailytimes.com/news/man-accused-of-planning-walmart-shooting-fights-charges/article_1da0cd76-01ad-11ee-a63b-f7b38a49beb3.html, 2023
State of Texas v. Jefferson KapellasMy client was charged with Animal Cruelty and Assault - Family Violence, which was enhanced to a Second Degree Felony. I successfully argued that the cases could not be proved. The State dismissed the charges against my client. , 2023
State of Texas v. Erick Ballesteros-RamirezAssault - Family Violence charge successfully fought and dismissed by the State., 2023
United States v. LyonLyon was sentenced to 120 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm announced United States Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. According to court documents, on December 13, 2021, Jacob Lyon, 29, was found guilty at trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lyon was previously convicted for prior felonies including armed robbery, theft of a firearm and burglary of a habitation. On May 28, 2020, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a consensual search of Lyon’s Monahans residence, which he shared with his co-defendant Rita Ornelas. Agents found two handguns and a rifle. “Mr. Lyon has long been victimizing the citizens of Texas and the United States of America. Thanks to the investigative and prosecutorial efforts of ATF and our Project Safe Neighborhood partners, Mr. Lyon’s days of criminal activity and delinquent behavior are now over,” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. On September 16, 2021, co-defendant Rita Ornelas, 28, of Monahans pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. She was sentenced on December 16, 2021, to 46 months in prison. The ATF, Texas Rangers and Monahans Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Kennedy prosecuted the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime., 2022
United States v. Damion Cruz-BenaventeAn Alpine man was sentenced yesterday to two life sentences in prison for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld his life sentences. According to court documents and evidence at trial, Damion Edward Cruz-Benavente, 30, was found guilty by a jury in Pecos in August 2021 of one count of aggravated sexual abuse by force; one count of sexual abuse by threat or fear; and one count of sexual abuse of a minor. While living in Big Bend National Park beginning in 2015, the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim using force and threats, placing the victim in fear. Defendant has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 12, 2021. “This is a horrific case of child victimization by an evil predator who stole a child’s innocence and has now received a sentence that provides some measure of justice for the brave victim,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners as we work together to protect our communities.” “This sentencing should send a strong message to those who sexually harm innocent children in our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey. “For years, the defendant in this case committed despicable and heinous acts against the victim and the victim’s siblings. The victim can now have faith that others believed the victim’s cry for help, wanted to help the victim heal and gave the victim the peace of mind to know the defendant will be behind bars for a very long time. Thanks to the exemplary efforts of the National Park Service, Alpine Police Department, the Killeen Police Department, and the dedicated work from our agents who aggressively pursue these heinous criminals, this individual will finally be held accountable for his actions. The FBI is committed to preventing violent crimes against children and to bring those who harm them to justice. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and use every investigative tool to protect the public from these types of horrific crimes.” The FBI and the National Park Service along with assistance from the Killeen Police Department and the Alpine Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Kennedy and Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case. , 2022
United States v. JohnsonA former Monahans businessman was ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution for failure to pay withholding taxes. According to court documents, George Wayne Johnson, 74, of Lawrenceburg, TN, was the owner of Wayne’s Welding Services (WWS) in Monahans. From 2015 to 2018, WWS withheld tax payments from its employees’ paychecks but failed to pay $1,308,797 in required payroll tax to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Through his company, Johnson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his salary and personal expenses. In addition to the restitution ordered, Johnson was sentenced to five years of probation. “Employers have critical tax obligations with respect to their businesses and the defendant in this case skirted them so that he could enrich himself,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We will continue to work closely with IRS Criminal Investigations to prosecute these matters.” “This is an appalling act, not just because he stole more than a million dollars from our nation, but because he expected his own employees to pay the price for his extravagant lifestyle,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “I am proud of our team at IRS CI for the investigative work on this case and I am proud of the unwavering support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute those who choose to violate our tax laws.” The IRS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Kennedy prosecuted the case., 2022
U.S. v. Pedro Ramirez-Urbina On June 27, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Van Horn Border Patrol Station responded to a call from a concerned citizen about a deceased male found on the side of the road. Agents located the decedent along with another male waiting beside the body. Both UNCs came from Mexico. Approximately an hour later, another concerned citizen alerted U.S. Border Patrol agents to seven males walking north on Chispa Road near Needle Peak. They were arrested and transported to Van Horn Border Patrol Station for processing, where agents determined all UNCs, including the decedent, were all part of a group being smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. Pedro Ramirez-Urbina was identified as the foot guide in charge of the group and is charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death. The defendant faced capital punishment, which was not sought. After a jury trial, Ramirez-Urbina was convicted and sentenced to 72 months in federal prison., 2021
United States v. Zly Defendant pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing methamphetamine. According to court records, on December 5, 2021, Tristian William Zly, 27, was observed in a heated argument with a female inside his vehicle while parked outside a residence in Fort Stockton. Officers were called to de-escalate the situation. After confronting Zly, officers observed a 30-round firearm magazine sticking out of Zly’s pocket. On further search of the vehicle, officers found a 9mm firearm and a plastic bag containing 299.3 grams of pure methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that Zly had a previous felony conviction and possessed the firearm illegally. Zly pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Zly faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison on the narcotics charge and a five-year mandatory minimum sentence on the firearm charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Greg Millard, El Paso Division, made the announcement. The Alpine DEA, with valuable assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Pecos County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime., 2021
United States v. Herrera-QuinonesA federal jury in Pecos convicted a Mexican national for his role in distributing marijuana. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Tomas Herrera-Quinones, 33, and six other co-defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of possession of over 100 kilograms of marijuana. A federal jury found Herrera guilty of both counts. Herrera faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count and is scheduled for sentencing in March 2022. Six co-defendants, all from Mexico, have pleaded guilty in this case. Jesus Olegario Chaparro-Fontes, 28; Wenceslao Chaparro-Fontes, 26; Martin Eduardo Torres-Bojorquez, 22; Francisco Vasquez-Baldenegro, 35; and Eliceo Vasquez-Baldenegro, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Juan Torres-Chaparro, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Wenceslao Chaparro; Martin Torres; Juan Torres; Francisco Vasquez; and Eliceo Vasquez are scheduled for sentencing on January 25, 2022. Jesus Chaparro is scheduled for sentencing on February 22, 2022. U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Millard made the announcement. The DEA is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Kennedy and Scott Greenbaum are prosecuting the case., 2021
U.S. v. Alarcon-Giron On July 19, 2021, Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP) aided by Homeland Security Investigations encountered a commercial bus at the Presidio, Texas Port of Entry that was en route to Chihuahua, Mexico from Dallas, Texas. A CBP canine alerted to the bathroom walls of the bus, and x-ray images showed anomalies within the walls. Agents discovered 14 packages of concealed United States currency totaling about $465,755.00. The driver, Alarcon-Giron, admitted he was transporting a large amount of hidden money. Alarcon-Giron is charged with one count of bulk cash smuggling out of the United States. Defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a federal prison sentence, 2021
U.S. v. Stephen Ray Pinson and Pablo Emilio Vinas-Gonzales On June 21, a Brewster County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a recreational vehicle (RV) for traffic violations. Pinson drove the RV with Vinas-Gonzalez as a passenger. During the stop, the deputy identified 48 UNCs in the RV who were citizens of Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Honduras and Ecuador. Pinson and Vinas-Gonzales are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of transportation of illegal aliens. Defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced to serve their sentences in federal prison, 2021

Pro bono/Community Service:

I have taken the pro-bono pledge and gave over 60 pro bono hours to clients this year, including a contested Motion to Adjudicate and felony Possession of a Controlled Substance case, 2025

Honors/Awards:

Texas Bar College (2019 - Present), https://texasbarcollege.com/, 2019
Texas Bar Fellow (2024-Present), https://txbf.org/, 2024

Educational Background:

Masters of Liberal Arts - International Relations Harvard University, 2015
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology The University of Texas at Austin, 2009
Juris Doctor Southern Methodist University - Dedman School of Law, 2013

Other Outstanding Achievements:

Army Achievement Medal, 2018
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, 2018
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, 2021

Industry Groups:

Criminal Defendants

Lance Kennedy