Shelby County Today

May 31, 2026 - A Shelby County Grand Jury delivered 25 indictments on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2026 term of the 273rd Judicial District Court.

Arturo Gonzalez was indicted for intoxication assault, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 1, 2025, Gonzalez operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, and by reason of such intoxication caused serious bodily injury to another, namely Da Pra, by accident or mistake in crossing the center line and median striking the victim's vehicle head-on. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Brad Ernest Smith was indicted for assault family violence - enhanced, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 11, 2026, Smith recklessly caused bodily injury to Dusty Davis, a member of Smith's family as described by the Texas Family Code - Section 71.003, by striking Davis in the face with his fist. The indictment further shows Smith was previously convicted in Orange County in 2006 for an offense under Chapter 22 of the Texas Penal Code against a family member as described by the Texas Family Code - Section 71.003. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Gregory Lemond Harper was indicted for terroristic threat against peace officer/judge, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 30, 2026, Harper threatened to commit an offense involving violence to a person, namely murder, aggravated assault or assault, with intent to place Andrew Williams in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. The indictment further indicates [Lt.] Andrew Williams to be a peace officer employed bu the Center Police Department. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Ramiro Reyes was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 3, 2026, Reyes used a vehicle to intentionally flee from Center Police [Sgt.] Brian Wright, a person Reyes knew was a peace officer who was attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Reyes. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Kentrell Cortez Claiborne was indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 15, 2025, after having been previously convicted in 2001 of the Felony offense of unlawful restraint less than 17 years of age, Claiborne recklessly possessed a firearm after the fifth anniversary of his release from confinement following conviction for the previous felony. It is further alleged that Claiborne possessed the firearm on State Highway 7, which was a location other than the premises at which he lived. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Charles Seth Alexander was indicted for theft of property >=$30,000 but less than $150,000, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 31, 2026, Alexander took a 2019 Kubota tractor valued at $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 from Hoffpauir Tree Service Inc., the owner. It is further alleged this was done without consent of the owner and with intent to deprive the owner of the property. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Clayton Russell was indicted for theft of property >=$30,000 but less than $150,000, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 31, 2026, Alexander took a 2019 Kubota tractor valued at $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 from Hoffpauir Tree Service Inc., the owner. It is further alleged this was done without consent of the owner and with intent to deprive the owner of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Alan Jay Runnels was indicted for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 6, 2026, recklessly possessed a firearm before the fifth anniversary of his release from supervision under parole or mandatory supervision following pervious conviction of prohibited substance in a correctional facility on July 12, 2029 in Gregg County. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)

Sabrina Lynn Parent was indicted for sexual assault, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 7, 2025, Parent caused the sexual organ of a child who was then and there younger than 17 years of age to contact and penetrate the sexual organ of Parent. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):

• John David Farnell, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (June 11, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Kurt Glenn Russell, driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (Punishment Enhancement - 25 years to life) (February 23, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Tracy Denard Osby, driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (Punishment Enhancement - 25 years to life) (January 23, 2026). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Danny Brown, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony. (January 21, 2026) (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Orell Parker, Jr., driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (Punishment Enhancement - 2nd degree felony) (January 12, 2026). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Kevin Dwayne King, manufacture or delivery of substance - PG1 >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), first degree felony (Punishment Enhancement - 15 years to life) (August 20, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court), 
• Marquis Deon Reed, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (Punishment Enhancement - 25 years to life) (July 18, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Mitchell Carroll Permenter, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (February 8, 2026). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Derek Clinton Ward, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (Punishment Enhancement - 2nd degree) (January 15, 2026). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Mateo Garcia, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (December 21, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• John Leo Etheridge, driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (Punishment Enhancement - 25 years to life) (July 16, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Armando Olivera Santos, driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (March 2, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Bianca Betty Vazquez, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (March 7, 2026). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Jerry Bell, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (Punishment Enhancement - 2nd degree) (January 30, 2026). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Glendon Dale Webb, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (April 2, 2026). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Gina Loye Smith, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 22, 2026). (273rd Judicial District Court)

Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

May 28, 2026 - State Highway 7 West near CR 1234 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at around 3:15pm.

Emergency personnel with multiple agencies responded to the location. Center Fire Department and West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department both were on scene to help free the driver who was initially reported to be trapped. Extrication equipment was utilized to successfully get him out of the vehicle and assist EMS in moving him to an ambulance.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Matt Chandler, a silver Nissan Sentra driven by Mohamed Yakob Isack, 65, of Lufkin was eastbound at an unsafe speed on State Highway 7 when he drove off the roadway and struck a fence before then striking a tree head-on. The driver stated his windshield wipers were defective.

Isack was transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.

Isack was issued a citation for unsafe speed.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies also assisted at the scene.

May 27, 2026 - Due to a line break by spectrum, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhill public water system to notify customers on 711 and highway 7 going East to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-443

May 26, 2026 - Due to a busted main line at the water distribution system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Joaquin/2100010 public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Stacy Cranford at Joaquin City Hall located at 130 Steve Hughes Dr., Joaquin, Texas 75954 at (936)269-3021.