by | Published
Comal County, TX - A Comal County jury sentenced 31-year-old Jeffrey Lee Gaston Jr. of Schertz to 43 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Retaliation. The sentencing took place on October 9, 2025, before Judge Dibrell Waldrip of the 433rd District Court.
Because the jury found that Gaston used a firearm in the assault, Texas law requires that he serve at least half of his sentence — over 21 years — before becoming eligible for parole.
According to evidence presented at trial, Gaston’s abuse of the victim began long before the shooting. Prosecutors detailed a disturbing pattern of emotional and physical violence, showing how the abuse escalated over time. The victim testified that Gaston would frequently call her degrading names, so much so that her young son began to repeat the same language. She described the toll that the constant verbal abuse took on her, saying it made her feel isolated and afraid to speak out.
Eventually, the emotional abuse turned physical. The victim said she suffered multiple injuries that required hospital visits but admitted she lied to medical staff about how she was hurt out of fear of Gaston’s retaliation. Text messages presented to the jury revealed the extent of Gaston’s cruelty. In one message, he told her, “You’re a horrible piece of [expletive],” and in another, “I hate you so much, I hope you know that.”
Prosecutors also introduced evidence showing that the victim had previously denied the abuse during a protective order hearing. However, the State produced the lifetime protective order that had been issued on her behalf by Judge Deborah Wiginton of the County Court at Law, indicating that the court recognized her earlier denial was motivated by fear rather than falsehood.
The violence reached its peak on the day of the offense. The victim testified that when she arrived at the RV she shared with Gaston, he immediately began questioning her about whether her mother planned to press charges against him for a separate threat-related incident. When the victim confirmed that her mother intended to move forward, Gaston responded, “That’s it,” pulled out a firearm, and began shooting.
Investigators later determined that Gaston fired at least 16 rounds. Bullet holes were found in the RV door and throughout the victim’s vehicle, including the front windshield, passenger-side door, and tire. The victim managed to run to her car, but she couldn’t drive away because her keys were still inside the RV. Fearing for her life, she sprinted to a nearby neighbor’s RV, where she was taken in and shielded until police arrived. The neighbor immediately called 911 and later testified during the trial.
Miraculously, the victim was not physically injured despite the number of shots fired. Officers testified that Gaston fled the scene before being located and arrested.
During the sentencing phase, prosecutors Karlei Neufeld and Melissa Mulley emphasized the severity of Gaston’s actions and the lasting trauma experienced by the victim. They also highlighted the bravery she showed by testifying in front of a courtroom full of strangers — and in front of the man who had tried to kill her.
The Comal County District Attorney’s Office thanked the jury for its service, as well as Schertz Police Department Detectives Jonathan Patrick and Haskell Ivey for their thorough investigation. DA Investigator Jacob Starr and Victim Assistance Coordinator Cherie Perez were also recognized for their roles in supporting the case and the victim throughout the process.
In a statement, the DA’s Office said: “This case is a powerful reminder of the cycle of domestic violence, how fear, manipulation, and control can silence victims for years. The victim’s courage to speak out, even after everything she endured, is an act of tremendous strength. We hope her story encourages others to seek help and know that they are not alone.”
