Tarrant County man sentenced to 35 years in organized catalytic converter theft case

WFAA, By Krista Summerville, November 4, 2025

Prosecutors said the 27-year-old Jaylin Jessie is among the first in Texas to be sentenced under a 2023 state law.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — A Tarrant County jury has sentenced Jaylin Jessie to 35 years in prison after finding him guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity connected to a series of catalytic converter thefts.

Prosecutors said the 27-year-old is among the first in Texas to be sentenced under a 2023 state law that makes it a felony to engage in organized crime through catalytic converter theft.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Deputy Darren Almendarez Act into law in May 2023. The bill, which goes into effect immediately, was inspired by a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy who authorities said was shot and killed while trying to stop three suspects from stealing his catalytic converter in a grocery store parking lot in March 2022. For a more thorough breakdown, read the full bill.

According to investigators, police received reports from at least eight victims last year who had their catalytic converters stolen while they were at work. When officers attempted to detain Jessie, he led authorities on a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies. One officer crashed during the pursuit and was taken to the hospital.

During the punishment phase of the trial, the court learned that Jessie had also robbed multiple people, including one armed robbery, according to the Tarrant County DA's Office.

The case was prosecuted by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s White Collar Crimes Unit. The DA's office also thanked the Grapevine Police Department for their work on the investigation.

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