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BEAUMONT — A woman who jumped out of a moving vehicle, suffered a gunshot wound while trying to escape and ultimately lost her home due to arson received some modicum of justice this week when the man linked to the crimes was found guilty and sentenced for his role in the violence, authorities said.

Judge Larry Thorne sentenced 46-year-old Recarido Antonio Terrell of Beaumont to 40 years in prison for felony aggravated assault.

Jefferson County District Attorney Keith Giblin announced the news, saying the verdict and sentence were handed down on Wednesday.

According information presented during the trial, Terrell was driving eastbound on Interstate 10 at approximately 11 p.m. July 13, 2022, when he and his female passenger began arguing.

According to witness testimony, Terrell produced a handgun and fired at least one shot in the direction of the passenger before she decided to jump out of the moving vehicle. Terrell then stopped and exited his vehicle and shot the victim as she tried to run away.

According to prosecutors, the victim escaped to a nearby business, where an employee called 911. Emergency personnel responded and brought the woman to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Once released from the hospital, according to police, the victim was informed several hours after she was shot, Terrell’s vehicle was found outside her burning home. The home was a total loss.

Prosecutor Tommy L. Coleman put on evidence and witness testimony showing Terrell had several felony convictions out Mississippi, had a recent Jefferson County arrest for possessing fentanyl and while awaiting trial, jail staff found a homemade weapon in his cell.

Coleman pointed out that Terrell’s previous prison sentences, when combined, totaled 35 years.

“Despite having been previously sentenced to prison for a total of 35 years, he has remained undeterred and un-rehabilitated,” Coleman argued to the jury.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning the 40-year sentence.

Judge Larry Thorne immediately sentenced Terrell in accordance with the jury’s verdict. Terrell faced up to 99 years confinement in Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

He will be eligible for parole when his time served equals one-half of his sentence, the D.A.’s office said.