Acey Joe Farris, 64, of Quitman, has been sentenced to 45 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after being convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.
Visiting Judge Paul Banner imposed the sentence July 24, 2026. During the sentencing hearing, the court heard evidence that Farris previously served prison sentences in 2008 for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and in 2018 for tampering with physical evidence. Because the court made a deadly weapon finding, Farris must serve 22½ years before becoming eligible for parole.
The case was prosecuted by First Assistant Criminal District Attorney Brandon Baade. Farris was represented by defense attorney Ashley Maddox.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Farris in April 2023 in connection with the aggravated assault of Brandi Cahoon.
The investigation revealed that on April 6, 2023, Farris, Bryan Scott Ransom, Ruby Dee Isaacs and an unidentified individual arrived at Cahoon’s property without permission at about 10:30 p.m. All four individuals arrived carrying weapons, including a knife, a machete, pepper spray and a homemade metal pole with a sprocket attached to the end.
After a verbal dispute, Isaacs repeatedly struck Cahoon in the face and body with the metal pole, causing serious injuries to her face and head. Farris struck Cahoon with a machete and kicked her. Cahoon received stitches in her chin and staples in her forehead as a result of the attack.
Farris also was arrested by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office in 2021 on charges of possession of more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine and tampering with evidence. Those charges were pending when he committed the aggravated assault against Cahoon.
Farris’ co-conspirator, Ruby Isaacs, was sentenced to 30 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in March 2025 for her role in the aggravated assault. Co-conspirator Bryan Scott Ransom was sentenced to 65 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in May 2026 for his role in the aggravated assault.
Wood County Criminal District Attorney Angela Albers said, “The defendant is a violent man who showed up to Ms. Cahoon’s property with violent intentions. While Ms. Cahoon was on the ground, Farris struck her with a machete and kicked her. Ms. Cahoon’s life will never be the same because of the senseless and reckless actions of the defendant and his co-conspirators. Given the defendant’s repeated trips to the penitentiary, the fact that he had two pending felony charges when he committed this aggravated assault, and the lifelong damages he inflicted on Ms. Cahoon, there is no doubt that the people of Wood County are safer now that the defendant will be behind bars. While her life will never be the same, I hope this sentence gives Ms. Cahoon a sense of finality and allows her to move on from this tragedy. Violent offenders in Wood County will continue to be held accountable for their violent actions and suffer severe consequences.”