Bonham, Texas -- Tyler Parsons, 22, of Bonham, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault Against a Police Officer; Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Deadly Weapon, as well as to violating a prior probation, granted in 2024, for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Judge Duncan Thomas, a visiting judge for the 336th District Court, heard evidence well into the late afternoon on the 6th of May, 2026. Ultimately Judge Thomas sentenced Parsons to 40 years in prison. Parsons will have to serve a minimum of 20 years before he can be eligible for parole.
On August 5th, 2025, Bonham Police responded to a domestic violence assault report. As officers came into an apartment complex, the suspect of that assault, Tyler Parsons, was located in a vehicle in the parking lot and began to flee from officers. Peace officers from Bonham, the Texas Highway Patrol, and the Constable’s office took pursuit as the defendant fled toward Honey Grove at speeds over 110 miles per hour.
During the pursuit, Parsons held a pistol out the window, pointing it toward the officers that were attempting to stop him multiple times. After a very intense and high-speed chase, the defendant wrecked out near the Hidden Grove RV Park where he struck Constable Mayberry’s unit, causing serious damage to both vehicles.
Ultimately, Constable Mayberry suffered injury to both his hand and wrist due to the defendant’s dangerous actions and intensity of the collision. Because of the damage, the
constable’s police cruiser was ultimately totaled. Multiple officers testified at the sentencing that they felt Parsons struck Constable Mayberry on purpose.
While being booked into the county jail the defendant again became aggressive, this time towards the Judge who magistrated him, advancing toward the Judge while yelling threats of harm against her and her family. Officers were required to restrain Parsons to stop him and moved him to a secure cell, where he continued to strike the cell door and yell obscenities and threats.
“Officers in the jail reacted quickly and efficiently, and I am grateful for their swift response,” Judge Louise Goodwater said.
At the sentencing Judge Goodwater also informed the court that in all the time she has done magistrations, this is the first time anything like this has happened to her, and it has changed her. After recalling the event and the lasting effect it has had on her, she recommended to Judge Thomas that Parsons be locked away for a long time because he is a danger to the public, and she is worried what will happen to a member of our community or her family if he is not.
Judge Thomas also heard evidence that the Defendant was on probation for Aggravated Assault when he committed the new violent offenses and that the Defendant’s pattern of behavior had become increasing violent and erratic.
“Threating and assaultive behavior toward our law enforcement will not be tolerated in Fannin County and will be met with the most severe of consequences," First Assistant Criminal District Attorney Nathan Young commented.
“We cannot risk certain individuals being allowed to remain free in society,” said Assistant Criminal District Attorney Vanessa Vice.
“The bravery our law enforcement to make sure this individual was arrested and kept in custody until his day in court is extremely commendable,” Vice added. "We thank all the law enforcement partners that assisted in the prosecution and are glad a more tragic end did not result."
