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March 8, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 19 indictments on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
In addition, a previously sealed indictment handed down July 26, 2023 from the grand jury impaneled for the July 2023 term of the 123rd Judicial District Court is included. Jerry Curtis Lewis was indicted for publish/threat to publish intimate visual material, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 27, 2023, Lewis without the consent of and with intent to harm an individual intentionally disclosed visual material, namely photographs, depicting the individual engaged in sexual conduct and the visual material was created under circumstances in which the individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy that the visual material would remain private. The indictment further alleges, the disclosure of the visual material caused harm to the individual, namely, by disclosing the photograph to the individual's spouse and the disclosure of the visual material revealed the identity of the individual. The photograph captured the individual's recognizable facial features, and accompanying text indicated the individual's identity. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Urias Federman Molina-Merlo was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 19, 2023, Molina-Merlo threatened Dylan Molina Torrez with imminent bodily injury by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon, namely a knife.
David Morgan Creel was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 25, 2022, Creel threatened to harm another, to-wit: Gabriel Arndt, by an unlawful act, to-wit: leaving video messages to her relaying a threat to, "get back with me or I will have 15 cartel come to your house and do some vicious [expletive] to you," in retaliation for or on account of the service of Gabriel Arndt as a public servant, to-wit: Child Protective Service (CPS).
Mitchell Lynn Lawson was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 3, 2024, Lawson recklessly caused bodily injury to Jeffrey Lawson a member of the defendant's family, by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Jeffrey Lawson by applying pressure to his throat or neck. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Benjamin Jemel Utley was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 13, 2016, Utley with intent to defraud or harm another and without consent of LouTex, obtained and used less than five items of identifying information of LouTex, namely financial institution account number. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Andrew Taylor Potter was indicted for assault peace officer/judge, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 20, 2023, Potter recklessly caused bodily injury to Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Aaron Jones by hitting Investigator Jones' hand with his head, and Potter knew Jones was a police officer and Jones was lawfully discharging an official duty, namely trying to restrain Potter. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Johnny Ray Taylor was indicted for assault family violence enhanced, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on October 11, 2023, Taylor caused bodily injury to Olivia Canipe, a person with whom Taylor has or has had a dating relationship as described by the Texas Family Code, by striking her in the eye. Before the commission of the charged offense, Taylor had previously been convicted of a similar offense under the laws of another state to-wit: Louisiana. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Andrew Taylor Potter was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 20, 2023, Potter threatened to commit an offense involving violence to a person, namely, "sick his dogs on Officer Jones," and, "you better watch your family when I get out of jail," with intent to place Aaron Jones in fear of imminent serious bodily injury, and Aaron Jones was a peace officer of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Mark Dewayne Hubbard was indicted for credit card or debit card abuse, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 27, 2023, Hubbard knowingly used a debit card, namely, Doches Credit Union debit card with knowledge the card had not been issued to Hubbard with knowledge that said card was not used with the consent of the cardholder, namely, Kaneisha Berry/Daniels. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for indecency with a child sexual contact, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 1, 2022, Spurlock engaged in sexual contact with a child less than 17 years of age with intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of Spurlock. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for indecency with a child by exposure, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 1, 2022, Spurlock exposed his genitals or any part thereof knowing a child less than 17 years of age was present with intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of Spurlock. The indictment further presents, Spurlock caused the alleged victim to expose their genitals. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ty Camden Spurlock was indicted for sexual assault, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 14, 2023, Spurlock caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of Spurlock by means of Spurlock's sexual organ. The indictment further alleges, Spurlock caused [oral sexual contact] of a child younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of Spurlock. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Gustavo Angel Pallares, possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2 (PG2) (psilocin), second degree felony (January 2, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Daniel Boyd Eaves, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (June 1, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Lawrence David Pierce, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (October 3, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Sherri Shires Lewing, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (October 1, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Michael Anthony Ratcliff Jr., possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (August 24, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Juan Carlos Salvador-Perez, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (October 21, 2023). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Clfford Neal Ruth, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (November 26, 2023). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Keith Issac Clary, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (January 6, 2024). (123rd 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.
March 8, 2024 - Update: As of around 1:30pm, Nacogdoches Street was cleared and traffic is flowing normally again. Crews are working to clear trees, debris and power lines in Lakewood.
State Highway 87 South is also clear and traffic is operating normally again.
12:10pm: Nacogdoches Street (SH 7 West, Nacogdoches Highway) in Center is currently blocked off from Southview Circle to Loop 500 as of 12-noon due to a storm which has blown through and taken down many trees, as well as power lines.
The entrance to Lakewood is also blocked by trees. Travelers should be careful and consider taking an alternate route until Nacogdoches Street is cleared.
There are also several trees down in the roadway on 87 South as of 12-noon. Drivers should use caution and consider alternate routes until the highway is clear.
Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)
Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)
Trees across roadway on SH 87 South. (Submitted photo)
(Submitted photo)
March 6, 2024 - Center Fire Department fire personnel responded to a house fire on Wednesday morning, March 6, 2024.
According to Center fire Chief Keith Byndom, the call was received at 7:30am and when they arrived at the residence in the 500 block of CR 3760 the fire was fully involved and no one was home.
As the firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative was requested to disconnect service to the residence.
Fire personnel were able to bring the fire under control in 30 minutes and an electrical short is believed to possibly be the cause.
No injuries were reported to have resulted from the fire.
The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
March 6, 2024 - On February 28, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
N.E.W. Water Supply has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of March 6, 2024.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.
February 28, 2024 - Due to an electrical issue at Plant 1, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS # 2030034 to notify all customers on FM 711, CR 202, CR 203, CR 205, CR 223, Harmony, Kellyville, Fountain Town and Woodland Acres Communities to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., 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 the 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 N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
March 6, 2024 - (Photos courtesy WSCVFD) - West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 West approximately one mile west of Farm-to-Market Road 711 on February 29, 2024.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, the truck involved was on its side and the trailer it was hauling had detached from the vehicle.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 8:10am, a white 1998 GMC pickup truck driven by Alma Tippins, 79, of Nacogdoches towing a bumper pull trailer was eastbound on State Highway 7 West.
As the truck was traveling through a curve in the roadway its load shifted and caused the driver to lose control and travel into the north ditch where it overturned.
Tippins, her passengers Angel Bello, 73, and Salvador Acosta, 59, were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
No citations were issued.
March 5, 2024 - Emergency responders responded to a single-vehicle crash on FM 139 Saturday, March 2, 2024, which resulted in the death of the driver involved.
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department responded to the location at FM 2572, in addition to EMS and Constable Roy Cheatwood.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, at 8:50pm on March 2, 2024, a maroon 1989 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by James Daylon Witter, 25, of San Augustine was northbound on FM 139 at an unsafe speed when the truck entered a curve and left the roadway to the right striking a fixed object and rolled.
Witter was ejected from the truck and was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Melba Rodgers, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. Witter was transported from the scene by Mangum Funeral Home.
The crash was investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones.
March 5, 2024 - Did you know all local Shelby County Races will be decided today in the March 5th Primary Election?
Once again, in the county races all candidates filed to run on the Republican ticket. This means the results will be decided now since only one candidate's name will be listed on the November 5th General Election ballot.
If you haven’t voted, polls will be open Tuesday from 7am to 7pm. (Click here for polling locations) Every vote counts especially in local elections! There are five races with opponents: County Attorney; Sheriff; Commissioner Precinct 3; Justice of the Peace Precinct 4; and Constable Precinct 3.
There is the potential for a runoff race for the Sheriff and the Constable Precinct 3 as both races have 3 candidates. Candidates must win more than 50 percent of the vote in order to win the election. If a runoff is needed, the Primary Election Runoff day is May 28, 2024.
Shelby County has six county offices unopposed: Tax Assessor-Collector; Commissioner Precinct 1; Constable Precinct 1; Constable Precinct 2; Constable Precinct 4; and Constable Precinct 5. Both County Chairs, Republican and Democratic, were unopposed.
Election results will be published on Shelby County Today after polls close and as results are made available. Early voting results are not available until after 7pm.
Republican Sample Ballots are below: (Click each precinct to see the ballots for each area)
- Precinct 1 N (Center)
- Precinct 1 SE (Center)
- Precinct 1 S (Center)
- Precinct 1 SW (Center)
- Precinct 1 W (Center)
- Precinct 2 (Excelsior)
- Precinct 3 (Sardis)
- Precinct 4 (Huxley)
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin)
- Precinct 6 (Dreka)
- Precinct 7 (Shelbyville)
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha)
- Precinct 9N (Timpson)
- Precinct 9S (Timpson)
Democratic Sample Ballot: (All precinct ballots are the same)
To the registered voters of the County of Shelby, Texas:
February 20, 2024 (PDF of Notice with Spanish) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., March 5, 2024, for voting in the general primary election for the Republican party to nominate Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, and state, district, county, and precinct officers.
On Election Day, voters must vote in the precinct where they are registered to vote.
Voting locations for Election Day will be at the following polling places:
- Precinct 1N (Center) - First Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1S (Center) - Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1SE (Center) - Panola College, 3600 Loop 500, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1SW (Center) - Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 W (Center) - JOI Ranch, 5198 FM 2026, Tenaha, Texas 75974
- Precinct 2 (Excelsior) - Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 3 (Sardis) - Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 4 (Huxley) - Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin) - First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954
- Precinct 6 (Dreka) - Dreka Pentecostal Church, Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 7 (Shelbyville) - First Baptist Church – Shelbyville, Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 S, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha) - First Methodist Church, Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75954
- Precinct 9N (Timpson) - American State Bank Annex, 830 N. 1st Street W., Timpson, Texas 75975
- Precinct 9S (Timpson) - Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson, Texas 75975
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted beginning on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, and ending on Friday, March 1, 2024, at:
Main Early Voting Location, Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
Days and hours of operation will be:
Tuesday, February 20 through Friday, February 23, 8am to 5pm
Saturday, February 24, 7am to 7pm
Sunday, February 25, 11am to 5pm
Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 1, 7am to 7pm
Last day to register to vote is February 5, 2024.
Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
Shelby County Early Voting Clerk
Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, 200 San Augustine Street, Box 9, Center, Texas 75935
Fax: 936-598-3701
Email: nancy.adams
www.co.shelby.tx.us
Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and Federal Postcard Applications (FPCA) must be received no later than the close of business on February 23, 2024.
Note: If ABBM is faxed or emailed or if an FPCA is faxed; the original application must be received within 4 business days.
Issued this the 22nd day of January, 2024.
To the registered voters of the County of Shelby, Texas:
Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., March 5, 2024, for voting in the general primary election for the Democratic party to nominate Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, and state, district, county, and precinct officers.
On Election Day, voters must vote in the precinct where they are registered to vote.
Voting locations for Election Day will be at the following polling places:
- Precinct 1N, 1S, 1SE, 1SW, 1W (Center) - Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 2 (Excelsior) - Excelsior School, 11280 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 3, 4, 6, 7 (Sardis, Huxley, Dreka, Shelbyville) - First Baptist Church – Shelbyville, Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 S, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin) - First Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha) - First Methodist Church, Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75954
- Precinct 9N, 9S (Timpson) - Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson, Texas 75975
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted beginning on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, and ending on Friday, March 1, 2024, at:
Main Early Voting Location, Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
Days and hours of operation will be:
Tuesday, February 20 through Friday, February 23, 8am to 5pm
Saturday, February 24, 7am to 7pm
Sunday, February 25, 11am to 5pm
Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 1, 7am to 7pm
Last day to register to vote is February 5, 2024.
Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
Shelby County Early Voting Clerk
Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, 200 San Augustine Street, Box 9, Center, Texas 75935
Fax: 936-598-3701
Email: nancy.adams
www.co.shelby.tx.us
Application for Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and Federal Postcard Applications (FPCA) must be received no later than the close of business on February 23, 2024.
Note: If ABBM is faxed or emailed or if an FPCA is faxed; the original application must be received within 4 business days.
Issued this the 22nd day of January, 2024.
Ashton Hill Fire
March 4, 2024 - Over the week of February 25th through March 2nd the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had 5 calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Sunday evening at 5:43pm a call came in for a woods fire on FM 139 at Ashton Hill. The JVFD responded with three brush trucks and two tankers for extra water. DeSoto Fire District 1 also brought a few trucks for support. The JVFD was on scene for several hours keeping the fire away from the road and out of Ashton Cemetery. The Forest Service took care of fighting the fire deeper into the woods. The JVFD would return to Ashton Hill on Monday to put out a few places that had rekindled overnight.
Ashton Hill Fire
During the Ashton Hill fire a second call came in for a vehicle fire on County Road 3341. One of the JVFD brush trucks and a DFD1 tanker broke off to respond. After a while on scene the fire was put out and the responding units returned to Ashton Hill.
Monday at 6:23pm a page was received for a man that had fallen from the roof of a chicken house on Highway 7 East. The JVFD responded with Allegiance EMS to render aid, and the man was later airlifted from the baseball field to a hospital.
Saturday at 2:30pm a call came in for an elderly woman who had passed out on a boat. The JVFD and Allegiance EMS responded to a boat ramp on Highway 84 East to help the patient.
Saturday night at 9:30pm the JVFD would respond to a single vehicle accident on FM 139. The driver of a pickup rolled his vehicle multiple times after rounding a curve, and was later pronounced deceased on the scene. The JVFD and law enforcement shut down one lane of the road and provided traffic control until the wreck could be cleared.
With that, this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
Ashton Hill Fire
March 2, 2024 - What began as an attempt as a motorist assist in Shelby County Friday night, March 1, 2024, developed into a high-speed pursuit that traveled around 10 miles and ended in a fiery crash in San Augustine County.
When San Augustine firefighters arrived at the scene, the Dodge Charger involved was engulfed in flames and they worked to extinguish the flames as quickly as possible and prevent any further spread into a wooded area.
Once the fire was out, law enforcement officials with Texas Department of Public Safety, San Augustine Sheriff’s Department, Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, joined with fire personnel in searching the wooded area for the driver of the car.
Assistance from Center Police Department and Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, were requested and they searched the area with infrared drones. While another from San Augustine was also utilized.
Center Police Sgt. Brian Wright and K9 Enzo also entered the woods in search of a trail leading to the suspect.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at around 7:59pm he was working patrol on U.S. Highway 96 and after just completing a traffic stop on the northbound side he was preparing to turn back to head south. As he crossed back over onto the southbound side, there was a vehicle on the southbound shoulder with active emergency flashers.
Trooper Jones pulled in behind the Dodge for a motorist assist and to see if they might have a flat tire. Not long before pulling over behind the vehicle, it took off and Trooper Jones pursued while the Dodge had its lights blacked out. Several erratic maneuvers were made as the Dodge continued its attempt at outrunning the DPS unit.
The Dodge finally slowed and went the shoulder to make a u-turn, at that time Trooper Jones used his vehicle as a tool to stop the vehicle. The Dodge continued for a distance before leaving the roadway to the right and striking a tree. The suspect then exited the vehicle and left on foot. The vehicle later caught on fire and then developed into a fully involved fire.
Reasons for the driver to flee have not been determined and the driver has not yet been apprehended, but has been identified and warrants will be issued.
This incident remains under investigation.
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