ROCKWALL, TX (July 24, 2025) On Wednesday, July 22, 2025, a Rockwall County jury convicted Rockwall resident, Michael Joe Ray, 47, of the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine in an amount of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams. The jury sentenced Ray to Seventeen (17) years and 1 day in prison with the maximum fine punishable under the law of $10,000.
Jurors heard testimony presented by lead prosecutor Dan Malouf that on December 14, 2024, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Deputies Zachary Stimpson observed a vehicle conduct a lane change without signaling with a license plate that did not show to belong to the vehicle it was attached to. At this time, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Quick Trip parking lot at 2012 S Goliad St, Rockwall, TX 75087. Deputies made contact with the occupant of the vehicle at which time Deputy Stimpson had Ray step out of the vehicle. Ray was found to have a spoon in his back pocket and a warrant for this arrest. While conducting a subsequent investigation and related search of the vehicle, deputies located methamphetamine in the center cupholder of the vehicle with Ray’s prescription medications.
After Ray was found guilty and during the punishment phase of the trial, ADA Malouf introduced evidence that Ray had been previously convicted and sentenced to a Texas prison for multiple prior offenses including Theft, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Credit Card Abuse, and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Ray had also been sentenced to Federal prison for Possession of a Stolen Firearm…