Johnson, Allen Maurice

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: April 19, 2023
• Docket: WR-94,542-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-94,542-01

EX PARTE ALLEN MAURICE JOHNSON, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 20508-B(1) IN THE 104TH DISTRICT COURT FROM TAYLOR COUNTY

Per curiam. YEARY , J., filed a concurring opinion.

OPINION

Applicant pleaded guilty to failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and

was sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment. The Eleventh Court of Appeals dismissed his appeal.

Johnson v. State, No. 11-17-00286-CR (Tex. App. — Eastland March 22, 2018) (not designated for

publication). Applicant filed this application for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction,

and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07.

Applicant contends, among other things, that he is actually innocent and that his guilty plea

was not knowingly and voluntarily entered. Due to errors in the Sex Offender Registry paperwork

at the time of his plea, all of the parties incorrectly believed that Applicant was required to register

for approximately ten years after the registration requirement should have expired. The errors in 2

the record were not corrected until April of 2022. Based on the record, the trial court has determined

that Applicant has established by clear and convincing evidence that he is actually innocent, and that

his guilty plea was not knowingly and voluntarily entered.

We agree. Relief is granted. Ex parte Elizondo, 947 S.W.2d 202 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996);

Ex parte Tuley, 109 S.W.3d 388 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). The judgment in cause number 20508B

in the 104th District Court of Taylor County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the custody

of the Sheriff of Taylor County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The trial court

shall issue any necessary bench warrant within ten days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional

Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: APRIL 19, 2023 Do not publish