SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX – In a high-profile case involving a sweeping theft operation valued at over $1 million, Everett Van Jennings, 36, of Sulphur Springs, has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty to first-degree felony theft of property, according to 8th Judicial District Attorney Will Ramsay.
Jennings entered his guilty plea on July 10, 2025, and in a significant turn of events, paid full restitution—a total of $222,169.98—at the time of sentencing. The funds were delivered via cashier’s checks made payable directly to each of the victims, ensuring that, as Ramsay noted, “all victims were made whole.” In addition to restitution, Jennings was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine.
The case, which has garnered substantial local and regional attention, stemmed from a complex criminal operation in which Jennings was accused of orchestrating the trafficking of stolen property valued at more than $1 million. Investigators linked him to a range of high-value thefts, including luxury cars like Lamborghinis and Corvettes, along with boats, heavy machinery, and trailers. The ring spanned multiple jurisdictions and involved elaborate fraud tactics to conceal identities and mislead law enforcement.
The operation began to unravel when a 2021 Lamborghini, reported stolen, was tracked to Jennings’ residence in Hopkins County. That discovery prompted a broader investigation that uncovered a trail of stolen assets and fraudulent activity. According to prosecutors, Jennings used the identity of a former tenant—creating a fake social media account in the man’s name, using his information to sell stolen property, and even going so far as to send threatening text messages impersonating the victim. One of those messages allegedly warned that if the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) continued its investigation, the sheriff’s reelection campaign would be targeted online.
Jennings had been held at Hopkins County Jail since April 4, 2024, while facing a long list of serious charges, including:
- Tampering with a witness
- Theft of property valued at $30,000 or more
- Fraudulent use or possession of identifying information
- Altering or removing vehicle serial numbers with intent to change identity
- Two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity
- Evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction
- Capital murder for remuneration
- Online impersonation
While these charges carried the potential for even more severe consequences, as part of the plea agreement, all other pending charges were dismissed in exchange for the prison sentence and full restitution related to the theft case.
District Attorney Will Ramsay emphasized the outcome’s significance: “This plea ensures that victims are compensated and justice is served. The full restitution being paid upfront is a rare outcome in cases of this magnitude.”
The successful resolution of the case represents a major achievement for local law enforcement and prosecutors, who worked extensively to piece together the sprawling network of thefts and fraudulent activities tied to Jennings.
As of this writing, Jennings remains in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where he will serve out his 15-year sentence.
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