AUSTIN, Texas — An attorney from Georgetown has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary.
A Williamson County jury formally convicted Joseph Salvatore Cocchiaro on Wednesday on charges stemming from an incident that occurred on June 12, 2022.
Cocchiaro entered a Round Rock residence where his former spouse lived. He then went on a destructive rampage, causing approximately $80,000 in damages to the residence.
Cocchiaro's actions included breaking appliances, overturning furniture, creating holes in walls and shattering windows and doors.
According to prosecutors, the damage Cocchiaro caused was extensive enough to make the home uninhabitable. Evidence presented during sentencing also revealed that a day prior to the burglary, Cocchiaro had forcefully tried to enter the same home, as well as damaging an exterior camera. He had also made hundreds of harassing phone calls to the victim.
Police officers later located Cocchiaro’s vehicle abandoned roadside after an apparent crash, and subsequently found him at a hospital in Round Rock, where he was receiving treatment for minor injuries. In addition to the burglary charges, he also faces additional charges of harassment and criminal mischief in similar cases.
“The jury’s sentence in this case reflects the seriousness of this brazen crime. Our office is committed to protecting the sanctity of our homes and deterring domestic violence. We will continue to hold individuals accountable for their actions," a spokesperson for the Williamson County District Attorney's office said in a statement following the jury's decision.
