Following one of the most closely watched murder trials in recent Texas history, Karmelo Anthony has been convicted and sentenced — and the question on everyone’s mind is: what prison is Karmelo Anthony going to? The answer is now confirmed. Anthony has been transferred to the Wallace Pack Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facility located near Navasota, Texas, where he will begin serving his 35-year prison sentence.
The Verdict: Karmelo Anthony Convicted of First-Degree Murder
On June 9, 2026, a Collin County jury found 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco Independent School District track meet on April 2, 2025. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching its verdict.
The trial began on June 1, 2026, at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, with nearly 600 prospective jurors summoned. The case drew massive national attention due to its racial overtones, heated social media debate, and emotional courtroom moments.
The same jury that delivered the guilty verdict also handed down the sentence later that day: 35 years in prison. Anthony faced up to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving at least half of that sentence.
What Prison Is Karmelo Anthony Going To?
After spending the night following his sentencing in the Collin County Jail, Anthony was transferred on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system. After completing an intake process and receiving a new booking photo, he was transported to his unit of assignment: the Wallace Pack Unit, located near Navasota, Texas — approximately 60 miles northwest of Houston.
TDCJ had previously stated it would not publicly disclose transfer details before the move took place, citing security concerns.
What Is the Wallace Pack Unit?
## About the Wallace Pack Unit (TDCJ)
The Wallace Pack Unit (P1) is a medium-security men’s prison operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Correctional Institutions Division. Here are the key facts about the facility:
- Address: 2400 Wallace Pack Road, Navasota, TX 77868
- Location: Five miles south of Navasota on FM 1227, in Grimes County, Texas
- Established: September 1983
- Warden: Timothy Fitzpatrick
- Capacity: 1,426 inmates (Unit: 1,157 + Trusty Camp: 321)
- Security Levels: G1–G3, Security Detention, Outside Trusty
- Phone: (936) 825-3728
- Acreage: Approximately 7,002 acres (co-located with the Luther Unit)
- Total Employees: 334
The facility houses adult male offenders serving sentences ranging from one year to life. It is one of the largest prison complexes in the state of Texas, spanning over 7,000 acres and sharing agricultural operations with the adjacent Luther Unit.
Wallace Pack Unit: Programs and Operations
## Rehabilitation and Educational Programs
Despite being a medium-security facility, the Wallace Pack Unit offers a range of programs designed to support inmate rehabilitation and reintegration, including:
- Adult Basic Education / GED (Literacy Programs)
- CHANGES/Pre-Release Programs
- Cognitive Intervention Courses
- Career and Vocational Training
- Reentry Planning and Peer Education
The facility also engages in community outreach through work projects with local agencies and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
## Agricultural and Industrial Operations
The Wallace Pack Unit spans enormous grounds and supports extensive agricultural and industrial activity, including:
- Cow/Calf operation
- Edible and field crop production
- Swine finishing
- Grain storage
- Buffalo ranch (across 11,002 combined acres with Luther Unit)
- Surplus Warehouse (manufacturing and logistics)
## Medical Infrastructure
The facility includes a 12-bed infirmary, 60 wheelchair-accommodated cells, and is designated as a Type I Geriatric Facility, with chronic care clinics and assisted disability showers managed by the University of Texas Medical Branch.
The Case Background: How It All Began
## The Fatal Stabbing at Kuykendall Stadium
On April 2, 2025, Karmelo Anthony — then 17 years old — and Austin Metcalf, also 17, became involved in a verbal altercation at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, during a high school track meet. The two attended different schools and did not know each other prior to the encounter. According to investigators, after Metcalf allegedly pushed Anthony, Anthony stabbed him in the chest. Metcalf was rushed to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Anthony surrendered to police at the scene and was arrested the same day on a charge of first-degree murder. Officers testified he was “crying hysterically” and repeatedly asked if Metcalf would survive and whether his actions could be considered self-defense.
## Bond, House Arrest, and the Road to Trial
Anthony was initially held on a $1 million bond. The bond was later reduced to $250,000, and he was released on April 14, 2025, to house arrest. His family raised more than $500,000 via a GiveSendGo campaign to cover legal expenses. His defense attorney, Michael Howard, argued throughout the trial that Anthony acted in self-defense out of fear, citing the size difference between the teens and chaotic conditions at the venue. The jury rejected both the self-defense argument and a “sudden passion” claim during sentencing.
Reaction in the Courtroom
The verdict and sentencing were met with intense emotion inside and outside the courthouse. Dozens of people stood outside the McKinney courthouse in 90-degree heat awaiting the outcome. Austin Metcalf’s parents and twin brother delivered emotional victim impact statements directly to Anthony following the sentencing.
Metcalf’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, stated that for the public, this is a story — but for her family, it is their permanent reality. Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, spoke about grief as “pure unfiltered rage” while addressing Anthony directly.
Karmelo Anthony Files Notice of Appeal
Shortly after sentencing, Anthony’s legal team filed a notice of appeal — a routine procedural step in serious felony cases that does not automatically grant a new trial. His attorney, Mike Howard, stated that the defense believes there are several important issues for the appellate courts to consider. Both parties will now file opinions with the appellate court outlining their positions on the fairness of the original trial.
Under Texas law, a convicted defendant has 30 days from final sentencing to file a notice of appeal.
FAQs
Q: What prison is Karmelo Anthony going to? A: Karmelo Anthony has been transferred to the Wallace Pack Unit, a TDCJ medium-security prison located near Navasota, Texas, approximately 60 miles northwest of Houston.
Q: When was Karmelo Anthony transferred to prison? A: He was transferred on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the day after his sentencing.
Q: How long is Karmelo Anthony’s sentence? A: Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison by a Collin County jury on June 9, 2026.
Q: When will Karmelo Anthony be eligible for parole? A: He will be eligible for parole after serving at least half of his 35-year sentence — roughly 17.5 years.
Q: Is Karmelo Anthony appealing his conviction? A: Yes. His legal team filed a notice of appeal shortly after sentencing, indicating they intend to challenge the conviction and sentence before a higher court.
Q: Where exactly is the Wallace Pack Unit located? A: The Wallace Pack Unit is located at 2400 Wallace Pack Road, Navasota, TX 77868, in Grimes County, approximately five miles south of Navasota.
Q: What security level is the Wallace Pack Unit? A: It is a medium-security facility housing G1–G3 custody levels, including security detention and outside trusty classifications.
The Karmelo Anthony case has left a lasting impact on communities across Texas and beyond — share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for the latest updates on his appeal.