MENARD, Texas — A 50-year-old Texas man was sentenced Tuesday to 65 years in prison after admitting guilt to multiple felony offenses stemming from a domestic assault, a high-speed pursuit and a shootout with law enforcement officers in Menard County.
Following a bench trial on punishment held July 21, Visiting Judge Stephen Ellis of Brownwood sentenced Mark Hamilton Minyard to a maximum of 65 years’ confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Institutional Division. District Attorney Tonya Ahlschwede prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.
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The charges stemmed from events on April 23, 2025, when prosecutors said Minyard assaulted his spouse before fleeing from law enforcement in a high-speed chase that ended along U.S. Highway 190 west of Menard.
Authorities said Minyard stopped his vehicle in a highway bar ditch, armed himself with an Armalite M15 multi-caliber rifle equipped with a Rudolph scope and opened fire on responding officers. The ensuing exchange of gunfire involved Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden John Compton, Menard County Sheriff Burl Hagler and deputies with the Menard County Sheriff’s Office.
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Minyard was wounded during the shootout after allegedly firing first. No law enforcement officers were injured.
A 50-year-old Texas man was sentenced Tuesday to 65 years in prison after admitting guilt to multiple felony offenses stemming from a domestic assault, a high-speed pursuit and a shootout with law enforcement officers in Menard County. (Menard County S.O.)
Before the punishment trial, Minyard admitted guilt in open court to four felony offenses: aggravated assault against a public servant with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, evading arrest with a vehicle and assault of a family member by impeding breathing or circulation.
Prosecutors said Minyard’s punishment range was enhanced because of a 2012 felony conviction in McLennan County for evading arrest with a vehicle. That prior conviction increased the punishment range for the aggravated assault charge to a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 75 years in prison.
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During the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence and testimony from multiple witnesses, including Hagler and Compton, who described the events of the pursuit and shootout and the danger posed to both the public and responding officers.
Judge Ellis sentenced Minyard to 65 years in prison for aggravated assault against a public servant with a deadly weapon. He also imposed 35-year prison sentences for each of the remaining felony convictions. All sentences will be served concurrently.
Following the sentencing, District Attorney Tonya Ahlschwede addressed the court’s decision. Her full statement was not immediately available.