WACO, Texas – A Waco man with a history of assaulting multiple women, including his mother and stepmother, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to a brutal attack on his former girlfriend.
Demarcus Lamar Scott, 41, accepted a plea deal in Waco’s 19th State District Court for stabbing Jermeshia Dobbins in June 2022. Scott had been charged with first-degree felony aggravated assault for the attack on Dobbins, 32, who he had known for years. On the morning of June 12, 2022, Scott arrived uninvited at Dobbins’ apartment in the Tanglewood Garden complex on North 19th Street.
According to court records, Dobbins told Scott to leave, but he forcefully entered the apartment, grabbing her by the throat and pushing her over an ottoman, injuring her back in the process. The assault escalated when Scott produced a large, flat-head screwdriver from his pocket.
He stabbed Dobbins in the face, puncturing her left cheek, and also stabbed her in the abdomen.
The attack ended when Scott fled the scene on foot. Waco police officer Jordan Wenkman responded to Dobbins’ call for help and quickly located Scott walking nearby. When Scott attempted to flee, Officer Wenkman used an electronic stun gun to subdue him.
The screwdriver used in the attack was found in Scott’s pocket, according to testimony. Scott, who has a long criminal history, including a conviction for failure to register as a sex offender and multiple previous arrests for assault, faced the possibility of life in prison.
However, after hearing testimony from the prosecution’s witness, Officer Wenkman, Scott chose to accept a plea offer from prosecutors Vanessa Fuentes and Chris Spendlove.
In a statement, the prosecutors emphasized the gravity of Scott’s actions. “Demarcus Scott viciously attacked a woman he’d known for many years with a screwdriver.
This prison sentence represents accountability for him and closure for her on one of the most traumatic experiences of her life,” they said. Scott’s criminal history includes a string of charges related to assaulting at least seven women, though many of those cases were dismissed when victims declined to prosecute. His previous convictions and arrest record also include misdemeanor charges for assault-family violence and making terroristic threats.
At the sentencing, Scott’s defense attorney, Kevin Lessman, requested that his client be allowed to self-surrender so he could say goodbye to his 10 children. However, Judge Roy Sparkman denied the request after prosecutors objected, citing concerns that Scott posed a flight risk and continued a threat to Dobbins.
Under the terms of his sentence, Scott must serve at least six years before being eligible for parole.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of domestic violence and repeat offenders, with experts urging better support and resources for victims as well as stricter measures to prevent reoffending.
