MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — A McLennan County man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges relating a 2023 shooting, the McLennan County District Attorney's Office has announced.
According to the DA's Office, 31-year-old Charles Ervin plead guilty to charges of murder, aggravated assault, retaliation and injury to a child moments before his jury trial was scheduled to begin.
Prosecutors charged Ervin in connection to a shooting on April 3, 2023 in Waco, which they say resulted in the death of 24-year-old Zachary Hughes.
The DA's Office stated Ervin passed by a convenience store when he recognized a car that Hughes regularly drove in the parking lot. Ervin reportedly shot at Hughes' car 13 times, hitting and killing Hughes and wounding one of the two other people in the car.
Waco Crime Scene Investigators reportedly found fingerprint and DNA evidence at the scene that was matched to Ervin, and later found clothing seen on security video of the crime in Ervin's house while serving an arrest warrant.
Due to Ervin's prior criminal history, the DA's Office said he faced 25-99 years or life in prison on all of his pending cases. The Office said the nature of the crime means Ervin must serve at least 25 years before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
"This case featured an exceptional investigation," said Gang Unit Assistant District Attorneys Christi Hunting Horse and Rebeckah Lawson, who prosecuted the case. "The Waco Police Department built an overwhelming case. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively target gang violence in our community.