State Rep. Ron Reynolds turns himself in to begin serving jail sentence

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – State Rep. Ron Reynolds surrendered to authorities Friday morning in Montgomery County, where he will begin serving a one-year jail sentence, Channel 2 Investigates learned.

The sentence stems from his conviction in 2015 on five misdemeanor barratry charges, or "ambulance chasing."

Prosecutors claimed Reynolds, a Democrat who represents parts of Harris and Fort Bend counties, used a middleman as an ambulance chaser to gain clients.

The former attorney and state lawmaker does not have to resign his state office.

Reynolds showed up to his hearing approximately 40 minutes late. He was taken to the side in the courtroom, frisked and then placed in handcuffs.

Reynolds did not respond to any inquiries by Channel 2 Investigates when he was marched out of the courthouse and loaded into a prisoner transport vehicle for processing.

“We don’t take any special pleasure in prosecuting Mr. Reynolds because of his role,” said Joel Daniels, chief of the White Collar Division in Montgomery County.

Daniels and his co-counsel, Lisa Stewart, prosecuted Reynolds. Daniels said Reynolds' actions Friday morning reaffirm the legal process that led to the state representative being handcuffed in the back of a prisoner transport vehicle.

“When a person who is an attorney and is in a position of power as an elected official has to bow down before the law after receiving a fair trial and a fair appellate process, it encourages me and gives me faith in the system,” Daniels said.

Reynolds' office Friday afternoon sent the following statement to KPRC2:

"Today, Representative Ron Reynolds voluntarily revoked his appeal bond so that he could be prepared to start the 86th Legislative Session on time. Rep. Reynolds attorney is still working on various legal challenges and he is confident that his misdemeanor conviction will be overturned. Moreover, Rep. Reynolds has full confidence that his experienced staff will be able to handle any immediate needs of his constituents, during his 4-6 month absence. Rep . Reynolds and his staff have a strong work ethic and have always been very attentive to his constituents. Rep . Reynolds looks forward to continuing to fight for his constituents during the upcoming session."