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July 7, 2016 - The Shelby County grand jury for the July Term 2016 of the 123rd Judicial District Court met Tuesday, July 5, 2016 and indicted 18 cases.
Michelle W. Jackson was indicted for criminally negligent homicide, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 11, 2015 Jackson by criminal negligence caused the death of Mary Young Walton by colliding with an automobile in which Walton was a passenger, causing her death. (Related story: Center Police Department Investigates Hurst Street Crash; Multiple Agencies Assist)
Regina Rene Shead received two indictments relating to November 15, 2015. The first indictment is for driving while intoxicated with child passenger, state jail felony. The indictment alleges Shead operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated and with a child passenger younger than 15 years of age. The second indictment was for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges Shead intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by driving under the influence of alcohol and intentionally ramming her vehicle into another vehicle.
Belinda Kay Green was indicted for forgery - against elderly individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 29, 2015 Green, with intent to defraud or harm another, namely Ola M. Gardner, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older, by writing numerous check on Gardner's Citizens State Bank account in the accrued amount of $3,750.
Joseph Clay Hardy received two indictments relating to March 17, 2016. The first indictment was for sexual assault of a child, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on March 17, 2016 Hardy caused the penetration of the sexual organ of a child who was then and there younger than 17 years of age and not the spouse of the defendant, by Hardy's sexual organ. The second indictment was for sexual assault, second degree felony. The indictment alleges Hardy caused the penetration of the sexual organ of another with his sexual organ, without the consent of the other.
Clayton Alan Meisch was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 21, 2015 Meisch took materials of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Steel Building Supply, the owner, without effective consent. This was done by issuing or passing a check paid to the order of Steel Building Supply in the amount of $4,727.99 when Meisch did not have sufficient funds in or on deposit with Austin Bank of Nacogdoches.
Hugo Rena Barruetta was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 11, 2015 with intent to harm or defraud another, and without the consent of Jacob Williams, Barruetta used the identifying information of Jacob Williams to gain employment. The information included Williams name, date of birth, and social security number to gain employment.
Maricela Hernandez was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 22, 2015 Hernandez operated a motor-propelled vehicle, an automobile without the effective consent of Neva Fields, the owner.
Tracy Lynn Averyt was indicted for false report, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on November 28, 2015 Averyt communicated a report of a present offense, an assault, and Averyt knew the report was false or baseless and would ordinarily cause action by an official agency organized to deal with emergencies, namely, Center Police Department.
Kemberly Suzanne Williams was indicted for false report, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 24, 2015 Williams communicated a report of a present emergency situation in stating that she was having a heart attack and then stating she was pregnant and having a miscarriage. Williams knew that said report was false or baseless and would ordinarily cause action by an official agency organized to deal with emergencies, namely, ACE EMS.
Michael Dickerson was indicted for forgery, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 8, 2015 Dickerson passed a check purported to be the act of Rusk County Inmate Trust Fund, who did not authorize the act, on a Citizens National Bank Account for the amount of $3,000 made out to Dickerson and cashed at Walmart in Center.
Bobby Joe Cartwright was indicted for failure to register as a sex offender, third degree felony. The indictment allges on July 8, 2015 Cartwright while being a person required to register with the local law enforcement authority in the county where he resided or intended to reside for more than seven days, Shelby County, because of a reportable conviction for Shelby County, intentionally or knowingly failed to register with the local law enforcement authority.
Tia Knoll was indicted for assault bodily injury, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 18, 2015 Knoll recklessly caused bodily injury to a member of the defendant's family by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the family member by applying pressure to the throat of neck and/or blocking the nose or mouth of the victim.
Giovani Johnson was indicted for forgery, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2015 Johnson with intent to defraud or harm another, possessed with intent to pass a forged writing knowing such writing to be forged and such writing had been so altered that it purported to be a copy of an original when no such original existed, and said writing was a fake one hundred dollar bill.
Moses M. Crawford, Jr. was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 7, 2015 Crawford knowing that an investigation was in progress and while detained for questioning, intentionally or knowingly destroyed drug evidence: a cigar blunt, with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation.
Gary Patrick Simon was indicted for deadly conduct, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 25, 2015 Simon knowingly discharged a firearm at or in the direction of Shaddrick Tawan McCollister.
Emanuel Johnson was indicted for cruelty to non-livestock animals, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 20, 2015 Johnson recklessly tortured a pitbull dog by failing to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter, causing the dog's death. Johnson's conduct was not generally accepted and otherwise lawful form of conduct occurring solely for the purpose of or in support of fishing, hunting, or trapping; or wildlife management, wildlife or depredation control, or shooting preserve practices as regulated by state and federal law; or animal husbandry or agriculture practice involving livestock animals.
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.
July 6, 2016 - Law enforcement officers closed in on a pursuit involving Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers as they attempted to stop a vehicle on State Highway 7 West on Wednesday afternoon, July 6.
The pursuit began somewhere in the west end of the county as Texas DPS State Troopers Taylor Buster and Austin Lunsford attempted to stop a black Nissan Maxima which was traveling at a high rate of speed. The Troopers were finally able to come to bring the vehicle to a stop at FM 711.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies and Center Police Officers arrived at the scene to assist the troopers. Once the driver and passenger in the front seat were detained it was discovered the driver had three additional passengers in the back seat including an infant and two elementary age children.
Once the officers identified the individuals, the driver Tristian Reynolds, 26, of Center was arrested for fleeing or attempt to evade police officer and was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
The officers held the scene until the mother of the children arrived to claim them and the vehicle.
July 6, 2016 - Timpson emergency personnel were dispatched at 4:15pm on July 5, 2016 to a trash fire on U.S. Highway 59 South just over 1 1/2 miles outside of the city. When the first firemen from Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) arrived on scene it was discovered a structure was on fire.
The Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service (TVAS) was also requested for an individual at the residence. Once on scene firemen extinguished flames surrounding the house and began working on the building which had burned to the ground until it was learned the house was no longer being lived in.
According to the TVFD the property belongs to Michelle Parks and a trash burn reportedly got out of control and caught the house on fire.
The firemen remained on scene to insure the fire would not spread and the TVAS did not transport anyone from the scene.
At 5:45pm the TVFD cleared the scene and returned to the fire station.
July 6, 2016 - The 27th Annual East Texas What-A-Melon Festival kicks off today, July 6, 2016 with the official watermelon cutting at 5pm.
The Shelby County Ministers' Fellowship has organized a night of fellowship and praise with gospel music on the stage starting at 6pm until 10pm with the festival closing at 10:30pm. Performances to enjoy are Jeff and Norine Spring; Christina Smith; Bro. Alvin Davis and Open Door Church; Rev. Robert Gipson and Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church; Rev. Karen Jones and First United Methodist Church; Leigh Porterfield; Patti Pustka and First Baptist Church; and Bishop W.C. Martin and Bennett Chapel Church.
5:00pm - Rides Open and Vendors Open ($20 Arm Bands, 5:30pm to 10:30pm)
6:00pm - Shelby County Ministers' Fellowship has the stage until 10pm, Gospel music, Praise, and Worship
10:30pm - Festival Closes
July 5, 2016 - An unknown black male went to Adams Electric located at 502 Railroad in Center on Monday July 4, 2016 at approximately 9:55pm. There the suspect cut the lock from the gate gaining entrance into the back lot.
The suspect then pried open the back doors and entered the building and disabled one inside surveillance camera but failed to locate other cameras in the building. An assortment of tools were taken by the suspect, jugs of freon used for air conditioning units and then the suspect fled out the same way he entered.
The Center Police Department Detectives Division is asking for the public to review the still shots from the surveillance camera to see if they could identify the suspect.
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.
Submitted by Detective Stephen Stroud
July 4, 2016 - The Dixie Youth Baseball South Regional Baseball Tournament Championship games are today, July 4, 2016.
- T-Ball Division I (Bracket) Championship game is between Bullard and Hudson at 5:30pm. T-Ball Division II (Bracket) Championship game is between Shelbyville and West Rusk at 5pm. Congratulations to Tri-Cities for receiving the Sportsmanship award.
- Machine Pitch Division I (Bracket) game is between Kilgore Red and Panola National at 4:30pm. Machine Pitch Division II (Bracket) game is between Overton and Tatum and starts at 3:00pm. Congratulations to Huntington for receiving the Sportsmanship award.
- Coach Pitch Division I (Bracket) Championship game is between Nacogdoches American and Bullard National at 4:30pm. Coach Pitch Division II (Bracket) Championship game is between Fairfield and Onalaska at 3pm. Congratulations to Diboll for receiving the Sportsmanship award.
Let's play ball . . .
July 1, 2016 - FM 138 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning, July 1, 2016 from which two people involved fled the scene.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Center Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were all dispatched to the scene 10 miles from Center.
While Texas DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos investigated the crash, Center firemen provided traffic control and Deputy Chris Benton searched for the missing parties involved in the crash.
It appeared at the scene a white Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 and a yellow Jeep Wrangler collided head-on sometime before 6am. The driver of the Jeep and another passenger exited the vehicle, and fled the scene, abandoning a third passenger and a dog in the Jeep.
Those involved remaining at the scene refused treatment from ACE EMS. Authorities continue the search for the other two individuals involved in the wreck.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of those involved should contact authorities as soon as possible.
(Update): According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Report, the preliminary crash investigation indicates a 2009 Jeep was traveling eastbound on FM 138 when it crossed over into the westbound lane and struck a 2012 Dodge pickup. The driver of the Jeep reportedly fled the scene of the crash and was later located and identified as Robert Lynn Gordon, 34, from Gary.
Gordon was traveling with two female passengers, Jessica Pugh, 29, and Jennifer Terry, 35. Terry was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department in Center for possible treatment. The driver of the Dodge was identified as Charles Harris, 59, from Center. Harris was also taken to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Center by private vehicle with unknown injuries.
As a result of the crash Gordon was charged with wrong side road-not passing, fail to maintain financial responsibility and accident involving damage. This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
According to the Shelby County Jail log, Terry was booked in on July 1 with a charge of public intoxication.
July 1, 2016 - Newly Appointed Constable Precinct 5 Robert Hairgrove was sworn into office on Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Shelby County Courthouse.
Constable Hairgrove was sworn in by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison in the courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse.
Hairgrove won the election this year for Constable Precinct 5 and was scheduled to take office on January 1, 2017. Following the passing of Stanley Burgay, who held the position of Precinct 5 Constable for 12 years, it was necessary to appoint someone to the position.
The absence of Burgay has been noticeable and has left a great need for someone to take on his position and fulfill his duties. The Shelby County Commissioners' Court recently approved Hairgrove's appointment.
June 30, 2016 - The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on FM 1971 just over the Rusk County line at 5:57pm on Thursday, June 30, 2016.
When the firemen arrived at the scene of the crash at CR 3251 just under 2 miles from U.S. Highway 84 one vehicle remained partially in the roadway and traffic control was necessary.
A trailer loaded with a boat which was being towed by a Jeep was removed from the trailer hitch of the Jeep and attached to another vehicle to help clear the roadway.
It appeared an RV being hauled by a grey Dodge pickup truck traveling south lost a wheel which came into the path of white Jeep Wrangler traveling north. The driver of the Jeep was able to prevent the vehicle from rolling and brought it to a stop on the southbound side of the roadway in a ditch.
Once the scene was clear, the Timpson Volunteer firemen returned to the station in Timpson.
(Update): According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Erik Ramirez, at 5:48pm a silver 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Kevin Scott Bryce, 35, of Timpson was traveling south on FM 1971 pulling a 5th wheel Montana motorhome.
As the truck and motorhome passed a white 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by Phillip Alston Russell, 30, of Austin with passenger Treasi Marino, 36, which was traveling north hauling a boat. When the vehicles passed, a left side tire came off of the motorhome and struck the Jeep.
The Jeep came to rest in the west ditch facing north and the Dodge came to rest in the west ditch facing south.
Bryce was issued a citation for display expired license plate/registration insignia.
June 29, 2016 - The Texas Department of Public Safety and other emergency personnel responded to the scene of a single-vehicle crash on June 23, 2016 on FM 1970 North.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 9:40pm Glenn Edward Maynard, 61, of Long Branch was traveling south on FM 1970 in a 1999 red Jeep Grand Cherokee Classic.
Maynard stated when he entered into a curve two deer ran into the roadway. As he swerved to miss striking the deer the Jeep exited the right side of the roadway and Maynard over corrected to the left and overturned sliding down FM 1970 before coming to rest in the middle of the roadway taking up both traffic lanes.
Maynard was seen by Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service and he refused treatment at the scene. The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Timpson Police Department assisted at the scene with traffic control and clearing the roadway.
The Jeep was towed from the scene. Maynard was issued a citation for fail to drive in single lane.
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