Shelby County Today

March 24, 2020 - Shelby County Constable Office Precinct 3 received information on March 10, 2020 regarding illegal marijuana being grown at a residence off State Highway 7. 

Constable Roy Cheatwood advised Zack Warr, Shelby County Constable Precinct 1, of the received information. Multiple agencies conducted an investigation on March 16, driving to the residence of William Doc Caldwell.

Upon arrival, law enforcement officers immediately observed numerous marijuana plants being grown in pots outside of the residence. Due to an open view offense being observed, a search warrant was granted for the residence and property.

After executing the search warrant, multiple loaded and unloaded firearms were located in and outside the residence. William Doc Caldwell and Amber Michelle Deason, both residents of the home, were arrested and charged for possession of marijuana and child endangerment.

Caldwell was additionally charged with felon in possession of firearms.

Constable Cheatwood thanks Constable Zack Warr; Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2; Shelby County Sheriff's Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires and Shelby County District Judge Jim Payne for their assistance. Constable Cheatwood expresses a special thank you to Distirct Judge LeAnn Kay Rafferty for her help and assistance over the phone the night the arrests were made.  

March 23, 2020 - In light of the announcements, recommendations, orders, and pronouncements from the Texas Supreme Court, The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Office of Court Administration, the Texas Justice Court Training Center, the Center of Disease Control and the Texas Department of Health Services regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Justice of the Peace, Precinct Four, Shelby County, Texas hereby issues the following order. This order is hereby issued to protect the community, limit exposure, provide for an efficient judicial system, as well as protect the court staff, the public, defendants, parties, attorneys, jurors, and any others that may be involved.

This Order will remain in effect unless any of the Texas or U.S Officials issue a disaster declaration the Supreme Court or its delegates authorize new rules during the disaster, in which case a new order (or a revised order), for the Shelby County Justice Court will be issued accordingly to the declaration and rules. If the Office of Court Administration issues updated guidance, this Order will be amended.

The Texas Supreme Court and Criminal Appeals Court of Texas have issued an Emergency Order. The order states that all courts in Texas in any case, civil or criminal, may take certain measures, and must do so, to avoid the risk of exposure to court staff, the public, attorneys, jurors. and others involved. These measures include modifying or suspending any and all deadlines and procedures, and without a participant's consent. It also includes taking any reasonable actions to avoid exposing court proceedings to the threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

For this reason, all scheduled court proceedings prior to May 1, 2020, except for 'essential court proceedings', will be reset to another date after MAY 1, 2020. If you have a case that has been set for hearing or trial before May 1, 2020, you will be notified of the date and time your case is reset for.

Please note that Civil cases may be filed, but will not be fully processed until after the Orders are lifted, which at this time is May 1, 2020. This includes Eviction suits. Any pending Eviction suits will be postponed and reset after the Governor's State of Disaster has been lifted.

Anyone who must conduct business with the Justice of the Peace Court are encouraged to do so by phone, mail, or email or fax. To contact the JP office, contact information is (phone) 936-248-4001, 936-572-3040, (fax) 936-248-4002, or (mail) P.O. Box 902, 140 Ed Wall Street, Tenaha, Texas 75974. Traffic citations that are issued during this timeframe will be extended and given a May 1. 2020 or later appearance date. Any appearance dates that fall during the active dates of this Order can contact the court for extensions, questions and concerns. Payments can be made online at www.trafficpayment.com or by calling 1-800-444-1187. Or by mailing in a MONEY ORDER payable to SHELBY COUNTY JP 4 and mailed to P 0. Box 902 Tenaha, Texas 75974.

March 22, 2020 - On March 20th Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation postponing the runoff primary election until July 14, 2020 — the same date as the special election for Texas State Senate District 14. The runoff election was originally scheduled for May 26th, but has been postponed in conjunction with the state's ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The postponement of this election serves to help fulfill the Governor's recent executive orders mandating certain obligation for Texans that are aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, including the encouragement of social distancing. Holding the runoff in May would cause the congregation of large gatherings of people in confined spaces and cause numerous election workers to come into close proximity with others. This would threaten the health and safety of many Texans. 

Click here to read the proclamation.

March 21, 2020 – U.S. Highway 96 at County Road 1012 around seven miles south of Center was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash which resulted in the deaths of two people involved.

According to the preliminary crash investigation led by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper Dustin Ramos, assisted by DPS Trooper Taylor Buster, at approximately 2:20am, a blue 2008 Pontiac G5 passenger car driven by Jordan Shisler, 28, of Center was traveling south. For unknown reasons Shisler crossed over the center of the roadway and was struck in the passenger side by a light blue 2007 International truck tractor semi-trailer driven by Jasper Houston, 30, of Frierson, LA.

Shisler and his passenger Jasmin Cavazos, 20, of Center were pronounced deceased at the scene by Donna Hughes, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace.

Houston was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for possible treatment and was later released.

Emergency personnel with the Center Fire Department (CFD), Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and EMS personnel all responded to the scene. 

CFD firemen took great care and time in utilizing Jaws-of-Life to extricate Shisler and Cavazos from the vehicle. Mangum Funeral Home transported Shisler and Cavazos from the scene.

This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.