TYLER, Texas — Before being dismissed for lunch on the third day of the Juan Quiroga trial the jury heard from a co-defendant, a Smith County deputy, a property owner who found a gun and ammo that was linked to the case. .
Quiroga, 20 is standing trial on a first-degree felony charge of aggravated assault against a public servant with a deadly weapon for his alleged role in the March 21, 2016, incident.
Deputies attempted to stop the car off of Texas Highway 64 West in western Smith County, but when the deputy turned on the vehicle's lights, the driver fled and the chase began. Quiroga is accused of firing at two sheriff's vehicles during the pursuit.
The first witness to take the stand was Jeremy Robinson, 34, of Hutchins, a felon who previously served about 14 years in prison for other crimes. He told the jury he met Pineda at a Tyler hotel the day prior to the shooting.
He said he met Pineda about six weeks prior to the incident and was in town to find work in construction and to do some drug dealing for Pineda.
Robinson said he went with Pineda to an RV park on Highway 64 where they had a cookout and people were coming and going.
He said he met Quiroga at the RV park prior to the shooting.
Robinson went on to say he drove his car 80 t0 100 miles mph while Pineda and Quiroga were shooting out the windows at the law enforcement. He told the jury the three lost the patrol vehicle but were spotted again north of I-20 and chased again.
He said they got away and found a building with a loading dock that they parked near and stayed for a few hours. Little did Robinson know he was on the property of Dallas Holm, a christian singer and songwriter who runs a ministry and lives in rural Smith County near Lindale. Holm would later testify that he found a pistol and some ammunition on his property and turned turned it over the sheriff's office.
Robinson said Quiroga made a call and left when he thought he heard a vehicle coming for him. He said Pineda also disappeared from the shop they were in and Robinson was left by himself.
He said he made his way back to the Residence Inn in Tyler where he took the plates off of his car and called his wife to come and get him.
The defense insisted Robinson was looking for any help he could get for the government so he wouldn't have to go back to prison. Quiroga's lawyer grilled him about his wife's purchase of the AR 15 rifles for Pineda and how Robinson was only testifying so she wouldn't be prosecuted by federal authorities for firearms violations.
Pineda was the target of a monthslong, multiagency drug investigation when the shooting occurred. Authorities had Pineda under surveillance the night of the shooting for dealing methamphetamine at an RV park in Smith County.
Deputies pursued the vehicle driving more than 100 mph. During the pursuit, Pineda and Quiroga were accused of firing at two sheriff's vehicles. Bullets struck the lead vehicle multiple times, leaving it disabled. The deputy and his K-9 partner were unharmed.
Robinson was arrested the day after the shooting at a local hotel, where a reserve deputy constable who worked at the hotel recognized his car. Robinson is awaiting trial for his alleged role in the incident.
Robinson has been held in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $3.86 million.
Quiroga's trial is scheduled to last until Jan. 22, according to Smith County judicial records.
