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April 21, 2016 - A Shelby County woman has been arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department in connection with the shooting death of her brother on January 19, 2016.
Jennifer Johnson, 42, of Center was booked into the Shelby County Jail on the charge of murder, 1st degree felony, in relation to the death of her brother Joshua Kellum, 33, of Timpson.
Johnson was indicted for murder, first degree felony, and assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony, by a Shelby County Grand Jury on March 23, 2016. Charles Mitchell, 273rd Judicial District Judge, issued a capias warrant for the arrest of Johnson on Friday, April 15, 2016 and she was taken into custody on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.
The original press release issued by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department indicated officers responded to a residence on FM 417 West on the evening of January 19, 2016 following a 9-1-1 call in reference to a shooting. It was discovered on arrival Kellum had been critically shot.
According to an affidavit for a search warrant issued on February 19, 2016 and requested by Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Kevin Windham, on the night of the shooting Marcus Wayne Evans was found at the house of a neighbor to Johnson waiting on law enforcement, bloodied and in possession of a firearm.
The affidavit alleges Johnson called Evans to her home and upon arrival Kellum attacked Evans with a crescent wrench, and during the altercation pulled a gun on Evans, who then took the gun from Kellum and shot him three times.
The affidavit gives an account alleging Johnson called Kellum to her house earlier in the afternoon telling him Evans had been assaulting her. It reports Johnson got Kellum intoxicated and then enraged at Evans before calling Evans to her home and then attempted to give the gun used in the shooting to Kellum.
According to the affidavit, Kellum held up the crescent wrench and stated that was all he would need and Johnson was seen sticking the pistol in the back of her waistband.
Johnson is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $250,000 bond set by Judge Mitchell.
April 19, 2016 - Farmers State Bank customers in Shelby County have recently experienced out of the norm phone calls from an unreliable source, posing as the bank and asking for personal information relating to debit card and account information. They're PHISHING for personal information related to debit cards, account numbers and addresses.
Farmers State Bank urges their customers to not give personal information via telephone to someone they do not know. Let it be known we will never call and ask for your debit card, account number or personal information over the phone. Farmers also urges customers to call the bank directly at 936-598-3311 if they receive such phone calls or suspicious requests.
April 18, 2016 - A Center man has been arrested by the Center Police Department in connection with a burglary and arson investigation relating to the CASA of Deep East Texas office in Center.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by Shelby County Today, on Friday, April 8, 2016 at about 9am Center Police Detective David Haley responded to 131 Porter Street to investigate a burglary at the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) office.
When Detective David Haley arrived he observed smoke coming from the CASA office. As he entered the office, he observed all of the rooms were filled with smoke, and the whole office was ransacked.
CASA representatives advised Det. Haley three computers and some office supplies had been taken. It was also determined a large amount of files had been set on fire and burnt in the sink of the bathroom.
The affidavit states at 11:30am on April 8 the parents of Giovani Angel, 19, of Center contacted Det. Haley over concerns for their son in relation to some computers in their cargo trailer and asked Det. Haley to look at the items.
When Det. Haley arrived at the residence, he observed three computers with CASA stickers on them and some office supplies. Det. Haley reported finding some of the supplies in Angel's backpack along with a maroon toboggan which had a strong odor of smoke. The affidavit also states Angel's mother gave Det. Haley some clothing and stated Angel was wearing them and the clothing smelled like smoke.
Giovani Angel was arrested on April 12, 2016 and charged with burglary of a building, felony 4; and arson, felony 2.
April 18, 2016 - The National Weather Service has issued an Areal Flood Advisory on Monday, April 18, 2016 from 9:56am until 1:00pm.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for Sabine County in Eastern Texas, Panola County in northeastern Texas, San Augustine County in Eastern Texas, and Shelby County in Eastern Texas.
At 9:55am, CDT, doppler radar indicated heavy rain that will cause urban and small stream flooding in the advisory area. Up to two inches of rain has already fallen.
Some locations that will experience flooding include Cathage, Center, Milam, San Augustine, Logansport, Tatum, Hemphill, Tenaha, Timpson, Pineland, Beckville, Joaquin, Browndell, Neuville, Shelbyville, Bland Lake, Rosevine, Macune, Patroon and DeBerry.
Precautionary/preparedness actions - Turn around... Don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
A flood advisory means river or stream flows are elevated or ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent.
April 18, 2016 - The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday morning (April 19th) for East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, and portions of Southwest Arkansas and Northwest Louisana.
Persistent moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast to continue through Tuesday morning due to a nearly stationary upper-level low pressure area across the rockies. Widespread 1 to 3 inch rainfall totals have already fallen across portions of the watch area with an additional 2 or more inches of rainfall expected.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Flash Food Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.
April 15, 2016 - FEMA representatives will be present at the “Rio De Sabinas Heritage Fair” at the First United Methodist Church in Joaquin today, Friday, April 15th and tomorrow, Saturday, April 16th from 9am to 5pm. Anyone that hasn't registered with FEMA as a result of flood damages incurred during the March floods is encouraged to do so.
April 13, 2016 - Loop 500 at the intersection with State Highway 7 East was the scene of a three-vehicle crash Monday, April 11, 2016.
When emergency personnel arrived during heavy rain, one vehicle was located in a drainage ditch while two others remained in the roadway.
According to the Center Police Department, at 3:35pm a silver 2012 Chrysler Sebring driven by Isharica Hubbard, 22, of Center with a 1-year-old female passenger crossed State Highway 7 (SH7) East from the south side of Loop 500 to the north side of Loop 500.
As Hubbard traveled across SH7 she failed to yield right of way to a gray 2015 Toyota Tacoma driven by Justin Daniel Klein, 34, with passenger William Keith Brown, 49, both of Center causing the Tacoma to collide with the passenger side of the Sebring.
A white 2001 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Jose Luis Hernandez, 39, of Center was traveling south on the north side of Loop 500 when it also was struck. The Malibu and the Tacoma remained in the middle of the roadway while the Sebring continued traveling into a ditch where it came to rest.
Hubbard and her passenger were transported by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries,
Hernandez and his passengers, a 10-year-old male passenger, 11-year-old female passenger, and 2-year-old female passenger were not reported to have received any injuries resulting from the crash.
Klein and Brown refused treatment at the scene and were transported by Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell.
Hubbard was issued citations for no drivers license, failure to secure child in safety seat, and fail to yield right of way leaving a stop sign at an intersection.
The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer Maegan Wright assisted by CPD Sgt. Duane Gordon, CPD Officer Jake Gross and Sheriff's Deputy Pete Davis.
April 12, 2016 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, April 18, 2016 for the 123rd District Court Honorable Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson presiding has been cancelled due to the scheduled cases being resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
April 12, 2016 - On Sunday, March 06th, 2016 Patrol Deputy Bradley Horton took a report from a Christopher Adams regarding a burglary and theft incident that had occurred at his property located on County Road 3000 in Joaquin.
The unknown suspect(s) illegally appropriated the following property: a Gravely 50” Zero Turn Mower, a Briggs/Stratton Tiller Engine, a Dewalt 1/2" impact with battery, a handheld grinder, a skilsaw and a China Cabinet.
Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system.
If a caller does not wish to remain anonymous or receive a reward, they may call the Shelby County Sheriff's Department at 936-598-5600 or 936-572-1468 and speak with Lieutenant Investigator DJ Dickerson.
Submitted by Lt. Investigator DJ Dickerson
April 11, 2016 - What began two weeks ago with the selection of a jury came to an official conclusion Monday, April 11, 2016 in the case of the State of Texas versus Johanna Vickers, a teacher found guilty of an improper relationship with a 16-year-old student, in the 123rd Judicial District Court with Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson presiding. Judge Dickerson handed down the formal sentencing which was decided by a jury and Vickers was taken into custody of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
Concerning causes 15-CR-19554, 15-CR-19555, and 15-CR-19556, Judge Dickerson asked Seth Johnson, Attorney for Vickers, if he had anything to say. Johnson responded with an inquiry as to the Judge's ruling on merger of counts 4, counts 5, and counts 6 on all cases which were improper relationship between educator and student.
Assistant District Attorney Stephen Shires, representing the State of Texas, stated he believed each count presented different elements and therefore shouldn't be merged.
Both attorneys agreed to their knowledge there were no appellant precedents concerning the case and Judge Dickerson ruled on all cases, 15-CR-19554, 15-CR-19555, and 15-CR-19556, that counts 5 and count 6 would be merged with counts 4 with the explanation the counts related to the same incident date although in various ways.
The mergers reduced the number of counts from 17 to 11 in total.
Judge Dickerson then recited each cause and all counts of each reiterating the sentencing given by the jury. The defendant, Johanna Vickers, was found guilty for the offenses set out in cause 15-CR-19554, counts 1 through 6 with counts 5 and 6 being merged into 4 and sentenced for each count 3 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with a $10,000 fine per count for counts 1, 2, and 3. The defendant, Johanna Vickers, was found guilty for the offenses set out in cause 15-CR-19555, consolidated counts 1 through 6 with counts 5 and 6 being merged into 4 and sentenced for each count 3 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with a $10,000 fine per count for counts 1, 2, and 3. The defendant, Johanna Vickers, was found guilty for the offenses set out in cause 15-CR-19556, consolidated counts 1, 3, 4 through 6 with counts 5 and 6 being merged into 4 and sentenced for each count 3 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with a $10,000 fine per count for counts 1 and 3. The sentence is to be served concurrently for a 3 years total and the fines total $80,000.
Vickers was taken into the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department until custody can be remanded to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
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