Inset: Raymundo Ayala (Randall County District Attorney's Office). Background: The Randall County Sheriff's Office and jail in Amarillo (Google Maps).
A Texas man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of driving while intoxicated for the 12th time, according to law enforcement in the Lone Star State.
On Tuesday, Raymundo Ayala, 74, was convicted by a jury in Randall County on one count of driving while intoxicated (DWI) being a third or more offense, according to a press release issued by the Randall County District Attorney's Office.
The jury later sentenced the defendant to life in prison.
"Driving While Intoxicated continues to endanger our community, and this sentence sends a clear message: those who repeatedly choose to drink and drive will be held accountable," the district attorney's office said.
The underlying incident occurred on Aug. 9, 2025, when a state trooper observed the defendant committing multiple traffic violations.
"During the stop, the trooper recognized signs of intoxication and ultimately arrested Ayala," the district attorney's office said.
During the trial, the trooper testified about his observations and how the ensuing traffic stop developed into a DWI investigation.
"The trooper also told the jury that he obtained a search warrant to collect a blood specimen from Ayala," the press release reads. "A forensic toxicologist later determined that Ayala had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.213 — more than two and a half times the legal limit."
Jurors also heard about two prior DWI convictions for the defendant — which would make Ayala's offense a felony typically punished by two to 10 years in state prison. But this time was different.
During the guilt phase of the trial, the jury "quickly" returned a guilty verdict, the district attorney's office said. Then, jurors were also asked to listen and weigh in during the punishment phase.
This time around, the state's presentation focused on obtaining a sentencing enhancement by pointing out that Ayala had 11 prior DWI convictions and had been sentenced to prison on six such offenses.
Jurors obliged the state, finding the defendant to be a habitual offender due to his "extensive felony history," according to the district attorney's office. That distinction made all the difference for Ayala, opening his sentencing range to between 25 years and life in prison.
The defendant spoke up during the punishment phase to say he accumulated so many DWI convictions because he was "unlucky."
Prosecutors seized on that characterization.
"This was the first time Ayala had been arrested for a DWI in Randall County, and our office was committed to ensuring it would be the last," the district attorney's office said. "Ayala was 'lucky' that his repeated decisions to drive while intoxicated did not result in the loss of innocent lives."
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