Man who attempted kidnapping at Pullen sentenced to 10 years in prison

By J.J. Smith. The Mesquite man who attempted to kidnap a female first grade student from Pullen Elementary School March 4th was sentenced to the maximum of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine yesterday by 382nd District Court Judge Brett Hall in Rockwall.

Desi Smalley, 36, a Mesquite resident, had first pled guilty to the attempted kidnapping.

Rockwall Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper successfully argued for the maximum sentence after presenting the facts of the case and evidence of Smalley’s extensive criminal background.

According to the Culpepper, Smalley had already been convicted and sentenced to the state penitentiary once and state jails four times. She said he was also high on the drug PCP at the time of the offense.

“I strongly argued for the maximum sentence as warranted by the facts of the case, plus his previous criminal record,” she said.

“In 1998, he was sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary for burglary of a habitation, as well as to 106 months in a state jail for possession of a controlled substance.”

“In 2002 he was sentenced to 270 days in jail again for possession of a controlled substance.”

“In 2008 he was sentenced to another six months in jail for attempting to take a weapon from a public servant.”

“In 2009, he was sentenced to still another six months in jail for evading arrest enhanced.”

Stating that she was very pleased with the sentencing, Culpepper also congratulated the female student and school authorities who ultimately helped police to capture him.

“I applaud the courage of the first grader who alerted school authorities to a stranger in their midst and the dedication of teachers who strive to keep their students safe.”

The DA explained that, after being directed by Smalley to leave with him, the first grader told a teacher’s aide that a man she didn’t know was trying to convince her to leave with him.

“He’s a stranger; I don’t know him,” the student said.

The aide then told her first grade teacher who notified school administration that an unknown man had entered and tried to direct the student to go with him.

After the attempted kidnapping, Smalley was arrested the next day in Arkansas after being stopped for a traffic violation. He was then returned to Rockwall County Jail to stand trial.

Culpepper sent a warning to others who would attempt to harm children in Rockwall County.

“If you try to harm a child in Rockwall County, you will be severely punished,” she said.