Convicted felon Ricky Lynn Mills, II, was sentenced on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, to 35 years in prison by Judge Bob Carroll of the 40th Judicial District Court. On Friday, March 25, 2011, an Ellis County jury convicted Mills of Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon. After less than an hour of deliberations the same jury assessed the 35 year prison sentence. Under current Texas law Mills must serve a minimum of 17-1/2 years of that sentence before he is eligible for parole.

The Aggravated Assault conviction stems from a September 21, 2010, altercation in which Mills used a Ford pickup to attempt to push a vehicle driven by the victim into oncoming cross traffic on Highway 287. Mills first punched the victim in the face before getting behind the wheel of the pickup and committing the Aggravated Assault. The victim was able to avoid a collision.

Evidence introduced at trial showed that Mills has prior convictions from Oklahoma for Rape, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, and Kidnapping. “Ricky Lynn Mills is a dangerous man. Our community is a safer place with him behind bars,” said Rick Sipes, the Assistant County & District Attorney who tried the case.