In a decisive verdict delivered in the 75th District Court, Allen Joe Fregia, Sr. was found guilty on Wednesday, April 23, of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a felony offense, despite abandoning his own trial. The Honorable Judge Kaycee Jones presided over the case.
On June 1, 2024, around 1 a.m., Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Katrena Johnston responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in the roadway on County Road 158 in Ames, Texas. Upon arrival, Corporal Johnston identified two individuals: Debra Ann Watts, the driver, and Allen Joe Fregia, Sr., the passenger. Both had active arrest warrants and were taken into custody.
During a search incident to arrest, Corporal Johnston observed that Fregia’s fist was clenched. When she instructed him to open his hand, a paper towel fell to the ground. Fregia admitted it was “dope.”
Inside the paper towel, Corporal Johnston discovered a crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine. Further search of the vehicle uncovered additional controlled substances. The methamphetamine was later confirmed by the DPS lab to weigh 1.77 grams.
Both Watts and Fregia were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. While Watts ultimately accepted a plea agreement, Fregia opted to go to trial.
Fregia appeared for jury selection but then failed to return to court. Under Texas law, once a jury is empaneled, a trial may proceed in absentia (without the defendant being present). The case moved forward without the defendant present. The jury heard testimony from Corporal Johnston, Deputy Damon Collier, and a DPS chemist. After brief deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty.
Allen Joe Fregia, Sr. remains a fugitive. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact law enforcement immediately.
If you know the whereabouts of Allen Joe Fregia, Sr. you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-392-7867 or go to the website http://www.multicountycrimestoppers.org and if an arrest is made you can be eligible for a cash reward. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for tips leading to the arrest of a felony offender and you remain anonymous. You will never be asked to give your name.