Opinion
No. AP-75,354
Delivered: March 8, 2006. DO NOT PUBLISH.
On Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus from Cause No. 902446 in the 262nd Judicial District Court of Harris County.
OPINION
This is a post-conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus forwarded to this Court pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3, et seq.. Applicant pleaded guilty to the felony offense of sexual assault of a child with no agreed punishment recommendation, and punishment was assessed at twenty-five years' confinement. Applicant's conviction was affirmed on direct appeal. Blue v. State, No. 14-02-00536-CR (Tex.App.-Houston [14th], delivered June 19, 2003, pet. ref'd). Applicant contends, inter alia, that his twenty-five year sentence is illegal. The record indicates that Applicant was indicted for and pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child, a second degree felony with a punishment range of two to twenty years. Tex. Pen. Code § 22.011. Neither the indictment nor the judgment contained any enhancement allegations. The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law, finding that Applicant was admonished as to the range of punishment for aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first degree felony. Tex. Pen. Code § 22.021. The written admonishments in the record support the trial court's findings. Based on the written admonishments and on affidavits from defense counsel and the trial prosecutor, the trial court concludes that Applicant knew he was pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault, with a possible punishment range of five to ninety-nine years or life. We disagree. The indictment, the plea papers, and the judgment in this case all reflect a two-count charge of sexual assault of a child, a second degree felony. Regardless of whether Applicant could have been charged with the greater offense, the twenty-five year sentence is not within the punishment range for the offense with which he was charged, to which he pleaded guilty, and for which the judgment reflects he has been convicted. Habeas corpus relief is granted. The sentence in cause number 902446 from the 262nd District Court of Harris County is vacated, and the cause remanded to the trial court for re-sentencing within the correct punishment range. Applicant's remaining claims are denied.