CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi businessman Ryant Connelly was sentenced to 58 days in the Nueces County jail Wednesday.
117th District Court Judge Sandra Watts found Connelly, 28, guilty of theft involving a woman who was a customer of his construction company.
He was also found guilty of simple assault for spitting on another customer.
Judge Watts ordered Connelly to begin serving 58 days in the Nueces County Jail immediately.
He must also pay $8,336.75 in restitution to Robin Reames within six months.
Reames was the driver of the vehicle Connelly crashed into while driving on the wrong side of Interstate 37 on April 20, 2013.
Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department said he had been drinking and Connelly was convicted of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing severe bodily injury.
Reames testified that as a result of her injuries, she had to learn to walk again.
In March 2014, Judge Watts placed Connelly on 10 years probation. He was also ordered to attend anger management classes and submit to an at-home device to monitor alcohol consumption.
Additionally, he was required to perform 150 hours of community service and report to his probation officer twice monthly.
While on probation, Connelly started six local businesses. While announcing his sentencing Wednesday, Watts said there was no question people have been harmed by the way Connelly conducts business.
Defense attorney Terry Shamsie told the Judge his client is a prime candidate for a mental health case study and can be helped by the system, rather than incarcerated by it.
