Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion filed February 3, 2015.

In The

Fourteenth Court of Appeals

NO. 14-13-01008-CR

MARTIN NOE MUZQUIZ, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 405th District Court

Galveston County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. 06CR3581

MEMORANDUM OPINION

In four issues, appellant Martin Noe Muzquiz appeals from the trial court’s 

revocation of his deferred adjudication community supervision for aggravated 

sexual assault of a child less than fourteen years of age, a first-degree felony. See

Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.021(a)(1)(B)(iii), (a)(2)(B), (e) (West, Westlaw 

through end of 2013 3d C.S.). We affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Appellant pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child less than 

fourteen years of age and was placed on deferred adjudication community 

supervision for six years beginning March 2008. The State filed a motion to 

adjudicate and revoke community supervision in December 2008. The State filed 

an amended motion in September 2013. The State filed a second amended motion 

in October 2013, alleging that appellant: 

1. failed to report in person to the Community Supervision Officer 

for the months of October, Novmber, and December 2008; 

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, 

September, October, November and December 2009; January, 

February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, 

October, November and December 2010; January, February,

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, 

November and December 2011; January, February, March, April, 

May, June, July, August, September, October, November and

December 2012; January, February, March, April, May, June, 

July 2013;

2. failed to pay a Community Supervision fee to the Galveston 

County Community Supervision and Corrections Department as 

ordered and is currently $2,575.00 in arrears;

3. failed to pay Court Costs to the Galveston County Community 

Supervision and Corrections Department as ordered, and is 

currently $521.00 in arrears;

4. failed to reimburse Galveston County for compensation of 

appointed counsel as ordered, and is currently $961.25 in arrears;

5. failed to pay Crime Stoppers Program payment as ordered and is 

currently $25.00 in arrears;

6. failed to pay the Sexual Assault Program as ordered and is 

currently $330.00 in arrears;

7. failed to perform Community Service as approved by the Court;

8. failed to participate in psychological counseling for sex 

offenders; and

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9. failed to report to his local Governmental entity his current 

address or subsequent change of address as mandated by Chapter 

62 C[ode] of C[riminal] P[rocedure]. Defendant has not reported 

as a sex offender since April of 2008.

The trial court held a hearing on the State’s October 2013 motion to revoke. 

Appellant pleaded “true” to violation number one and “not true” to the remainder.1

After hearing testimony from several witnesses, including appellant, and reviewing

the admitted documentary evidence, the trial court found all of the State’s alleged 

violations “true,” revoked appellant’s community supervision, and assessed 

punishment at forty-five years’ confinement in the Institutional Division of the 

Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On appeal, appellant raises four issues: (1) appellant’s counsel at the 

revocation hearing was ineffective; (2) the trial court abused its discretion when it 

denied appellant’s motion for new trial; (3) the trial court abused its discretion and 

violated appellant’s right to due process when it revoked his deferred adjudication 

community supervision without considering mitigating circumstances; and (4) 

appellant’s forty-five-year sentence violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition of 

cruel and unusual punishments. We address appellant’s issues in the following 

order: three, one, four, and two.

DISCUSSION

A. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it revoked appellant’s 

deferred adjudication community supervision.

In his third issue, appellant does not complain about the sufficiency of the 

evidence supporting revocation. Instead, he asserts that the trial court denied him 

1 Appellant actually pleaded “that’s possible” or “I’m not sure” to several of the 

allegations involving his failure to pay fees and costs. We interpret his responses as pleas of “not 

true.”

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due process when it failed to consider mitigating evidence in revoking his 

community supervision. In support of his contention, appellant argues that the trial 

court’s characterization of the mitigating circumstances as “excuses” necessarily 

means the trial court did not consider the mitigating circumstances.

We review a trial court’s decision to revoke deferred adjudication 

community supervision for an abuse of discretion. Leonard v. State, 385 S.W.3d 

570, 576 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012). Revocation is appropriate when a preponderance 

of the evidence supports one of the State’s allegations that the defendant violated a 

condition of his community supervision. Id. The trial court is the sole judge of the 

credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Hacker v. 

State, 389 S.W.3d 860, 865 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). Because revocation implicates 

due process, a trial court abuses its discretion if it revokes a defendant’s 

community supervision for an inappropriate reason, such as illegal discrimination 

or mere caprice. See Leonard, 385 S.W.3d at 577; see also Dansby v. State, 398 

S.W.3d 233, 239–40 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) (revocation for invoking Fifth 

Amendment privilege is unconstitutional); Gipson v. State, 383 S.W.3d 152, 157 

(Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (revocation for failure to pay fines without considering the 

reasons for the probationer’s inability to pay or alternative measures would violate 

the United States Constitution) (discussing Bearden v. Georgia, 461 U.S. 660 

(1983)).

Appellant did offer evidence of mitigating circumstances—such as chronic 

back pain, mental-health issues requiring medical treatment, renewed commitment 

to attending church services, and efforts to start a lamp-making business—to 

justify his failure to report. The record affirmatively shows, however, that the trial 

court considered appellant’s mitigating evidence. The trial court stated, “[G]iven 

the type of crime this is and the evidence presented and your seeming to fail to take 

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responsibility for your actions, whether you’re the same person or not, I’m 

sentencing you to 45 years in prison.” (Emphasis added). After considering “the 

evidence presented” and in light of appellant’s five-year failure to comply with the 

conditions of community supervision, the trial court found that revocation was 

justified.

Appellant testified that he understood his obligation to report. Appellant 

acknowledged his understanding that not reporting could result in revocation.

Appellant did not report for five years. The trial court considered and, as the sole 

judge of the weight given to witness testimony, rejected the mitigating evidence

presented by appellant. Appellant was afforded due process. The trial court did not 

abuse its discretion by revoking appellant’s deferred adjudication community 

supervision. Appellant’s third issue is overruled.

B. Appellant did not meet his burden to show that defense counsel’s 

allegedly deficient performance prejudiced the defense.

In his first issue, appellant complains that he received ineffective assistance 

of counsel because his counsel allegedly (1) failed to acquire appellant’s medical 

records, (2) falsely reported the number of hours he worked on appellant’s case, 

and (3) failed to adequately explain the consequences of pleading “true” to the 

State’s failure-to-report allegation.

The Constitution guarantees effective assistance of counsel. Ex parte Moore, 

395 S.W.3d 152, 157 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). To prevail on a claim of ineffective 

assistance of counsel, a defendant “must show that (1) counsel’s representation fell 

below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) the deficient performance 

prejudiced the defense.” Lopez v. State, 343 S.W.3d 137, 142 (Tex. Crim. App. 

2011). Under the first prong, a defendant must prove by a preponderance of the 

evidence that trial counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of 

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reasonableness under the prevailing professional norms. Id. Under the second 

prong, a defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for the 

counsel’s deficient performance, the result of the proceeding would have been 

different. Andrews v. State, 159 S.W.3d 98, 102 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). A 

“reasonable probability” is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the 

outcome. Id. 

Even if we assume defense counsel’s performance was deficient, appellant 

must show a reasonable probability exists that, but for trial counsel’s errors, the 

result of the revocation hearing would have been different. Appellant pleaded 

“true” to the State’s allegation that he failed to report, which is alone sufficient to 

support revocation. See Garcia v. State, 387 S.W.3d 20, 26 (Tex. Crim. App. 

2012).

Appellant contends, however, that defense counsel did not adequately 

explain the consequences of pleading “true.” Appellant contends this failure 

harmed him because he would not have pleaded “true” to the State’s failure-toreport allegation if he understood that he could be sentenced to as many as ninetynine years in prison. Appellant’s argument fails for two reasons. First, evidence in 

the record indicates defense counsel did explain that the trial court had discretion 

to sentence appellant within the entire range of punishment for the underlying 

offense. The evidence further indicates that appellant understood the consequences 

of failing to comply with the conditions of community supervision when he first 

agreed to deferred adjudication.

Second, appellant ignores that he pleaded “not true” to the State’s remaining 

allegations. The trial court found all of the contested allegations true. Appellant did 

not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s findings. 

As an example, appellant pleaded “not true” to the allegation that he “failed to 

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reimburse Galveston County for compensation of appointed counsel as ordered, 

and is currently $961.25 in arrears.” William Ordaz, appellant’s communitysupervision officer, testified that appellant owed $961.25 in attorney’s fees. The 

trial court admitted a document showing that appellant was delinquent in paying 

his attorney’s fees. The amount of the delinquency was $961.25. The trial court 

found true the State’s allegation that appellant failed to reimburse Galveston 

County for compensation of appointed counsel as ordered, and is currently $961.25 

in arrears. Proof of one violation is sufficient to support revocation. Id. Because the 

trial court found the contested allegations to be true, appellant cannot show that the 

result would have been different had defense counsel not advised appellant to 

plead “true” to the failure-to-report allegation.

Relying on United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648 (1984), appellant next 

argues that defense counsel’s representation amounted to “no defense at all” and 

we should presume prejudice in this case. “[I]f an appellant can demonstrate that 

defense counsel ‘entirely fail[ed] to subject the prosecution’s case to meaningful 

adversarial testing,’ so that there was a constructive denial of the assistance of 

counsel altogether, then prejudice, because it is ‘so likely,’ is legally presumed.” 

Cannon v. State, 252 S.W.3d 342, 349 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (quoting Cronic, 

466 U.S. at 659). Under the Cronic standard, defense counsel’s failure to test the 

State’s case must be “complete.” Bell v. Cone, 535 U.S. 685, 696–97 (2002).

In stark contrast to the behavior of the defendant’s counsel in Cannon, 252 

S.W.3d at 350, the record in this case demonstrates that defense counsel was 

prepared for and participated in all aspects of the revocation hearing. Counsel 

presented opening and closing arguments, objected during the State’s witness 

examination, cross-examined the State’s witnesses, presented a witness, and 

implemented a defensive strategy. Appellant has not demonstrated on this record 

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that his counsel “entirely failed” to subject the prosecution’s case to meaningful 

adversarial testing. See, e.g., Rodriguez v. State, 425 S.W.3d 655, 669 (Tex. 

App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet.).

Appellant further contends that we should presume prejudice because 

defense counsel had a conflict of interest that affected his actions during the 

revocation hearing. Appellant claims that defense counsel had a financial incentive 

to continue litigating the case and to falsify billing records. Appellant argues that 

the conflict in this case was “inherent” in trial counsel’s approach to the case. He 

further points out that “Texas Courts are beginning to recognize that financial 

incentives may result in a conflict of interest sufficient to invoke the Cuyler

standard of review.” (Emphasis added).

To prevail on his conflict-of-interest ineffectiveness claim, appellant must 

prove by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) trial counsel had an actual 

conflict of interest, and (2) the conflict actually colored counsel’s actions during 

trial. Odelugo v. State, 443 S.W.3d 131, 136 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). “An ‘actual 

conflict of interest’ exists if counsel is required to make a choice between 

advancing his client’s interest in a fair trial or advancing other interests (perhaps 

counsel’s own) to the detriment of his client.” Monreal v. State, 947 S.W.2d 559, 

564 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). Appellant’s claim will fail if (1) no evidence has been 

presented on the issue or (2) the evidence relevant to the issue is in perfect 

equipoise. Odelugo, 443 S.W.3d at 136–37.

We have not found, and appellant has not pointed us to, any evidence in the 

record showing counsel “actively represented conflicting interests,” Cuyler v. 

Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 350 (1980); Ex parte Morrow, 952 S.W.2d 530, 538 (Tex. 

Crim. App. 1997), or reflecting a choice counsel made between alternate courses of 

action. See Routier v. State, 112 S.W.3d 554, 585–86 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); 

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Perez v. State, 352 S.W.3d 751, 755 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, no pet.). To 

the contrary, the record shows defense counsel had a strategy in mind—to admit 

the failure to report and ask for the court’s leniency—and he implemented that 

strategy at the revocation hearing.

To the extent appellant asks us to find an actual conflict of interest from his 

bare assertion that a conflict was “inherent” or “may” have resulted from some 

vague financial incentive on the part of defense counsel, we decline to engage in 

such speculation. See Cuyler, 446 U.S. at 350 (“[T]he possibility of conflict is 

insufficient to impugn a criminal conviction.”); James v. State, 763 S.W.2d 776, 

780 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989) (potential conflict insufficient to support 

ineffectiveness claim); Fulgium v. State, 4 S.W.3d 107, 115 (Tex. App.—Waco 

1999, pet. ref’d) (implied conflicts insufficient to support ineffectiveness claim).

Appellant did not carry his burden to show prejudice. The facts of this case 

do not support a presumption of prejudice under Cuyler or Cronic. Appellant’s first 

issue is overruled.

C. Appellant’s forty-five-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a 

child less than fourteen years of age was not cruel and unusual 

punishment.

In his fourth issue, appellant contends that the trial court’s imposition of a 

forty-five-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child less than fourteen 

years of age constitutes a cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth 

Amendment.

The Eighth Amendment states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor 

excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” U.S. Const. 

amend. VIII. The Constitution forbids extreme sentences that are “grossly 

disproportionate” to the crime. Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 60 (2010). To 

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determine whether a sentence for a term of years is grossly disproportionate to a 

particular defendant’s crime, the reviewing court must begin by comparing the 

gravity of the offense and the severity of the sentence. Id. In the rare case that this 

threshold comparison leads to an inference of gross disproportionality, the court 

should then compare the defendant’s sentence with the sentences received by other 

offenders in the same jurisdiction and with the sentences imposed for the same 

crime in other jurisdictions. Id. If this comparative analysis validates the reviewing 

court’s initial judgment that the sentence is grossly disproportionate, then the 

sentence is cruel and unusual. Id.

Texas courts have long held that a punishment is not constitutionally 

prohibited if it falls within the range prescribed by statute. Samuel v. State, 477 

S.W.2d 611, 614 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972). The Texas Legislature has determined 

that the first-degree felony of aggravated sexual assault of a child less than 

fourteen years of age is punishable by imprisonment for life, or by imprisonment 

for five to ninety-nine years. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.32 (West, Westlaw 

through 2013 3d C.S.), § 22.021(a)(1)(B)(iii), (a)(2)(B), (e). This legislative policy 

determination is entitled to wide deference. See Harmelin v. Michigan, 501 U.S. 

957, 998 (1991) (Kennedy, J., concurring) (plurality opinion).

Appellant’s forty-five-year sentence falls well below the ninety-nine year 

maximum permitted by the Texas Penal Code. Therefore, we conclude upon this 

threshold review that the trial court’s sentence of forty-five years in jail is not 

grossly disproportionate to appellant’s commission of aggravated sexual assault of 

a child less than fourteen years of age, a serious crime with the potential of causing 

serious emotional harm to the child. See, e.g., Holder v. State, 643 S.W.2d 718, 

721 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) (multiple life sentences resulting from convictions in 

three incidents of aggravated sexual abuse did not violate Eighth Amendment); 

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Arriaga v. State, 335 S.W.3d 331, 336 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, 

pet. ref’d) (life sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child did not violate 

Eighth Amendment); Williamson v. State, 175 S.W.3d 522, 525 (Tex. App.—

Texarkana 2005, no pet.) (three consecutive life terms for three counts of 

aggravated sexual assault of a child did not violate Eighth Amendment); Alvarez v. 

State, 63 S.W.3d 578, 581 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2001, no pet.) (fifty-five-year 

sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child did not violate Eighth 

Amendment). 

We overrule appellant’s fourth issue.

D. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied appellant’s 

motion for new trial.

In his second issue, appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion in 

denying his motion for new trial. The grounds for appellant’s motion for new trial

were ineffective assistance of counsel and excessive punishment in violation of the 

Eighth Amendment. Because we have determined that (1) appellant did not receive 

ineffective assistance of counsel and (2) appellant’s punishment did not violate the 

Eighth Amendment, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it 

denied appellant’s motion for new trial. See Webb v. State, 232 S.W.3d 109, 112 

(Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (decisions on motions for new trial are reviewed for abuse 

of discretion); see, e.g., Pena v. State, No. 14-06-00637-CR, 2007 WL 3287868, at 

*10 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Nov. 6, 2007, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not 

designated for publication). We overrule appellant’s second issue.

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CONCLUSION

Having overruled each of appellant’s issues on appeal, we affirm the trial 

court’s judgment.

/s/ Marc W. Brown

Justice

Panel consists of Justices McCally, Brown, and Wise.

Do Not Publish — TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).

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