Shelby County Today

June 7, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 26 indictments on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.

Jakevion Buckley was indicted for hindering apprehension or prosecution, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 3, 2024, Buckley with intent to hinder the arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of Franydrick Buckley for the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, warned Franydrick Buckley of impending discovery or apprehension. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Elizabeth Ann Barton was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on December 15, 2023, Barton took multiple items that were in a portable building, of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from James Brodie Steptoe, the owner, without the effective consent of Steptoe and with intent to deprive him of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Emerson Sanatio Evans was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 2, 2024, Evans intentionally, knowingly and recklessly caused bodily injury to a member of Evans' household as described in the Texas Family Code, by recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the complainant by applying pressure to the throat or neck of the complainant.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Ashley Cagle was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 20, 2024, Cagle engaged in conduct, by omission, that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by allowing the child to leave a room and walk across a high traffic area to a nearby store in search of food, and Cagle had a legal duty to act, namely, making sure the child was taken care of under adult supervision.(123rd Judicial District Court)

Elizabeth Ann Barton was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 18, 2024, Barton caused bodily injury to Justin Taylor by stabbing him in the arm with a knife during the commission of said assault. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Russel Ray Chism was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on February 20, 2024, Chism entered a building or portion of a building without the effective consent of Brandy Rowland and Regina Hightower, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed the felony offense of burglary of a building.(123rd Judicial District Court)

Kalem Becks was indicted for arson, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 25, 2021, Becks with intent to damage or destroy a habitation located in the 6000 block of Hwy. 87 N. in Shelby County, started a fire by igniting paper towels and putting them in the habitation, knowing that the habitation was located on property belonging to Thomas Stockstill.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Frankie Lee Slaight was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on December 21, 2022, Slaight took two 19 Crosscut saw, $300; Forney mig welder, $500; Plasma cutter, $450; cooler, $200; small tote with tools, $200; fertilizer spreader, $79; four Abu Garcia fishing reels, $1200; and four Ugly Stick fishing rods, $140; of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from James Lindley, the owner, without the consent of Lindley.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Aaron Matthew Allan was indicted for unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 18, 2023, Allan possessed a firearm after the fifth anniversary of his release from confinement or supervision at a location other than his residence, a public road. The indictment further states Allan was previously convicted of the felony offense of burglary of habitation with intent to commit theft on June 18, 2004, in the 145th Judicial Court of Nacogdoches County.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Ricardo Lagunas Rodrigues was indicted for injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 2, 2023, Rodriguez caused bodily injury to a child 14 years of age or younger by striking the child in the face and throwing the child off a couch.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Amos Martin Bergeaux was indicted for criminal mischief impair or interfere with public service <$30,000, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 4, 2024, Bergeaux caused a lock to be busted off a natural gas meter cut out of a water pipe and PVC put in its place to secure performance of a service, namely, natural gas and water of the value of $2,500 or more but les than $30,000 from the city of Joaquin, intending to avoid payment for the service. (123rd Judicial District Court)

David Scott Emanis was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on December 18, 2023, Emanis entered a building or portion of a building without effective consent of Rick Ehrenzeller, the owner, and attempted to commit theft or committed theft.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Terry Wayne Goodman was indicted for terroristic threat against peace officer/judge, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on May 6, 2024, Goodman threatened to commit an offense involving violence to Deputy Ingram by busting him in the mouth, with intent to place Deputy Ingram in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. The indictment further states, Deputy Ingram was a peace officer with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Ryan Travell Brown was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 24, 2024, Brown entered a building or a portion of a building without effective consent of Danbert Collum, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of property, to-wit: $150 cash, owned by Danbert Collum owner of The Forge. (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.)

Kerry Dale Hite was indicted for sex abuse of child continuous: victim under 14, first degree felony, enhanced to 25 years to life. The indictment alleges, on January 9, 2024, Hite during a period lasting 30 days or more in duration, namely on or about January 1, 2013 through May 30, 2013, when Hite was 17 years of age or older, intentionally committed two or more acts of sexual abuse against a child younger than six years of age.(273rd Judicial District Court)

Miguel Garcia-Jimenez was indicted for indecency with a child by exposure, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 21, 2023, Garcia-Jimenez engaged in sexual contact with a child younger than 17 years of age. (273rd Judicial District Court)

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

• Douglas Hooper, manufacturing or delivery of substance in penalty group 1 (methamphetamine), first degree felony (January 5, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Jason Duane George, prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility (methamphetamine), third degree felony (January 5, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Amber Brook Bigger, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (November 29, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Kelsey Lynn Frazier, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (January 5, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Denise Simone Garrett, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (December 14, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)   
• Deborah K. Jacob, manufacturing or delivery of substance in penalty group 1 (methamphetamine), first degree felony (January 5, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
• Chad J. Averett, prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility (Shelby County Jail) (methamphetamine), third degree felony (March 24, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Donald Yarborough, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (January 1, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Annette Marie Eaves, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (March 24, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
• Hector Balcazar Garcia, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (December 23, 2023). (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.

June 7, 2024 - County Road 1090 in Precinct 1 has received considerable damage to a bridge as a result of recent flooding.

Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, advises the public on June 7, 2024, to be cautious on this roadway as the commissioners continue to assess the damage across the county and work on repairs.

The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.

June 6, 2024 - On May 31, 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 June 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. 

May 31, 2024 - Due to a electrical outage caused by storm, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS #2030034 to notify all customers 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.

June 5, 2024 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison has issued a Declaration of Disaster for Shelby County as of June 2, 2024, and the Shelby County Commissioners are now slated to consider ratifying this decision at their Emergency Meeting scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024.

Judge Harbison has encated this declaration tue to the flooding, excessive rain, excessive wind and downed trees that has occurred between the dates of May 30, 2024, and current ongoing events of June 2, 2024. At that particular time, Judge Harbison referenced the county being without electrical power and having widespread communication outages.
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The Declaration of Disaster is as follows:
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby, Texas, has suffered from severe storms, high winds, and widespread flooding that was occurred prior to and on this the May 30, 2024. The severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage to public and private property, disruption of utility service, and endangerment of health and safety of the residents of Shelby County and Cities within the disaster area.

WHEREAS, because of the severe weather for the past four (4) days that Shelby County is in imminent threat of additional widespread storms or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from countywide severe weather conditions. Flooding in the populated areas has caused major damage to roads and bridges preventing access to or the safe passage on many roadways. Many trees have been blown down and limbs have fallen on power lines causing countywide power outages. Such conditions have created a public safety hazard.

WHEREAS, the County Judge of Shelby County, Texas has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect life, as well as protect or rehabilitate property, are necessary and hereby ordered.

Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed By The County Judge Of Shelby County:
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I. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.

II. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more that seven days from the date of the declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.

III. Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
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IV. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the county/city Emergency Management Plan.

Ordered this 2nd day of June, 2024.
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