At just 17, Quinton Graham Jr. faces an uncertain future as he re-enters the juvenile detention system after pleading “true” to serious charges.
SAN ANTONIO — 17-year-old Quinton Graham Jr. left the 436th District Court in handcuffs Tuesday morning, headed for a stay in the state juvenile detention system.
Even though he is legally now an adult, he will be housed in the juvenile system after pleading “true” to a pair of felony charges: evading arrest in a vehicle and possessing a prohibited weapon, specifically a handgun with a switch.
The charges date back to October, but what earned the teen the ire of Judge Cruz Shaw was an accusation of another felony offense after Graham was released from juvenile custody.
Just days after his birthday, Graham was charged as an adult, accused of being the getaway driver in an attack on an ATM technician Nov. 13 at the Wells Fargo location in the 9400 block of Interstate 10. Police say they recovered almost $30,000 stolen in the attack, along with other physical evidence linking Graham to the crime.
Three other men are also charged in that robbery.
With the teen refusing to answer some questions and barely mumbling to others, Judge Shaw expressed frustration.
When the teen declined to name his gang affiliation, Shaw shot back: “I’ve seen the pictures! I know who you roll with!”
Shaw told the teen he was playing a dangerous game.
“I have to keep you alive, and the things that you’re doing right now? You will be dead by the time you are 18! Y’all think it’s a game and it’s not!” Shaw told Graham. “Posting pictures of running around with guns with switches and large sums of money, you are making yourself a prime target to get jacked!”
Graham claimed he could be trusted to do better.
“I want to change, your honor. I will,” the teen said.
To which Shaw replied, “You should have changed already!”
Defense attorney Brandon Jackson pointed out that the juvenile charges were the teen’s first appearance in juvenile court.
Jackson tried to convince the judge the teen could do well if he was released on probation.
“I think there is absolutely negative influence happening. I think he can rise above that. He is capable of that and I know he will,” Jackson said. “This is his first referral and he is going to show you he can do it.”
Shaw countered by asking again about what gang the teen claims.
When Graham mumbled a response, the judge cut no quarter, saying, “When I ask you questions, I already know the answers. Don’t try to bull**** me! I’m not just an ordinary judge!”
Shaw reminded the teen there was plenty of evidence of family support and extra care and services from the George Gervin Academy, where a teacher went out of her way to make sure he graduated.
“Everybody here supports Quinton Graham Jr. except Quinton Graham Jr.—and that concerns me!” Shaw exclaimed.
Not satisfied that the teen would suddenly follow rules if released, Shaw accepted his plea and ordered him to remain locked up.
“At this time there is no suitable placement facility available for this child and it is in the child’s best interest to be sentenced to TJJD (Texas Juvenile Justice Department) on indeterminate sentence,” Shaw said.
Shaw explained indeterminate sentencing means the punishment will be a range of time rather than a specific sentence, saying that if Graham participates in programs, does well and gets in no further trouble, his juvenile time could be a matter of months.
Whatever the result, Shaw said Graham will still be facing consequences from the ATM robbery case.
Even though he was able to post a $100,000 bond, once he is released from the juvenile system, he will have stipulations created by a magistrate judge. Those include full house arrest with GPS monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, and no possession of firearms.
Online records indicate his court appointed attorney, John Bunk, has already filed a motion to suppress some evidence in the case and a motion to amend his bond conditions.
The county justice portal indicates his next court appearance is set for Feb. 11.