News

The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.


Map of the projected burn area.

February 23, 2023 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, February 23, 2023 in Shelby County in the location of Boles Field Recreational Area. Ignition time is 10am and the size is 2,902 Acres. The burn type is hand and air and has an estimated completion time of 7pm.

  • Smoke: Winds are out of the North and drift smoke may be noticeable in Shelbyville Area.
  • Forest and Unit: Sabine National Forest, Boles Field Southeast Comp. 18/19

Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.

Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.

For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940

U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker:

Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)


Map of the projected burn area.

February 23, 2023 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, February 23, 2023 in Nacogdoches County in the location of SFA. Ignition time is 11am and the size is 281 acres. The burn type is hand and has an estimated completion time of 6pm.

  • Smoke: Winds are out of the Northwest, North, Northeast and drift smoke may be noticeable in Lufkin.
  • Forest and Unit: Angelina or Sabine, SFA, 112

Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.

Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.

For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940.

U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker:

Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)

February 22, 2023 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 50 indictments including two for murder and one for manslaughter on Thursday, February 16, 2023. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2023 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.

Teresa Louviere was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 14, 2022, Louviere caused the death of Sarah Hopson by blunt force trauma to the head with an object unknown to this grand jury. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Teresa Louviere was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 14, 2022, Louviere observed a human corpse under circumstances in which a reasonable person would have believed that an offense had been committed, namely murder, and Louviere knew or reasonably should have known that a law enforcement agency was not aware of the existence of or location of the corpse, and Louviere failed to report the existence of and location of the corpse to law enforcement. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(See related articles: Sheriff Confirms Investigation into Death of Joaquin Woman; Charges Suspect with Murder$1.75 Million in Bonds Set in Connection to Murder of Joaquin WomanDetails Emerge in Murder Investigation, Arrest of Three)

Allen Price was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 14, 2022, Price caused the death of Sarah Hopson by blunt force trauma to the head with an object unknown to this grand jury. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Allen Price was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 14, 2022, Price observed a human corpse under circumstances in which a reasonable person would have believed that an offense had been committed, namely murder, and Louviere knew or reasonably should have known that a law enforcement agency was not aware of the existence of or location of the corpse, and Price failed to report the existence of and location of the corpse to law enforcement. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(See related articles: Sheriff Confirms Investigation into Death of Joaquin Woman; Charges Suspect with Murder$1.75 Million in Bonds Set in Connection to Murder of Joaquin WomanDetails Emerge in Murder Investigation, Arrest of Three)

Reggie Lamar Daniels was indicted for manslaughter, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 3, 2022, Daniels recklessly caused the death of Kelton Tremaine Jones by shooting him in the head with a Taurus model 9mm pistol. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(See related article: Center PD Investigates Shooting Incident Behind City Hall (Updated: 3:22pm))

David Palacios was indicted for improper relationship between educator and student, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 1, 2021, Palacios recklessly caused bodily injury to a student by putting his hands around her neck and choking her and biting her on the neck, while Palacios was an employee of Center High School.

(See related articleSheriff Charges Former Substitute Teacher with Improper Relationship Between Educator, Student

Larides Saez Morales was indicted for unlawful use of a criminal instrument or mechanical security device, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 13, 2023, with intent to use it in the commission of stealing diesel fuel, Morales knowingly possessed a rubber hose that was specially designed, made, or adapted for use in the commission of said offense. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Larides Saez Morales was indicted for unlawful use of a criminal instrument or mechanical security device, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 13, 2023, with intent to use it in the commission of stealing diesel fuel, Morales knowingly possessed a concealed fuel tank that was specially designed, made, or adapted for use in the commission of said offense. (273rd Judicial District Court)

(See related article: Extensive Investigation into Fuel Theft Leads to Arrest in Timpson; Over $1 million in Bonds Set)

Robert Deskin was indicted for theft of metals, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on February 5, 2023, Deskin took brass, of the value less than $30,000, from Joshua Webster the owner. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Sayoddrick Marquise Barnes was indicted for harassment of a public servant, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 18, 2022, Barnes intended to assault, harass, or alarm causing Center Police Officer Buzbee, a person Barnes knew to be a public servant, to contact the saliva of Barnes while safely securing him into a patrol unit. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Brandon Dwayne McGalin was indicted for hunting provision violation with previous conviction, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 25, 2022, McGalin knowingly hunted white tail deer by shooting a white doe deer from a motor vehicle using the headlights of the vehicle to illuminate the deer before the shot was fired. The indictment further shows McGalin was previously convicted of a hunting provisions violation on July 3, 2019 (273rd Judicial District Court)

Brandon Dwayne McGalin was indicted for hunting provision violation with previous conviction, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on March 2, 2022, McGalin knowingly hunted white tail deer by shooting a white doe deer from a motor vehicle using the headlights of the vehicle to illuminate the deer before the shot was fired. The indictment further shows McGalin was previously convicted of a hunting provisions violation on July 3, 2019 (273rd Judicial District Court)

Brandon Dwayne McGalin was indicted for hunting provision violation with previous conviction, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 30, 2021, McGalin knowingly hunted white tail deer by shooting a white doe deer from a motor vehicle using the headlights of the vehicle to illuminate the deer before the shot was fired. The indictment further shows McGalin was previously convicted of a hunting provisions violation on July 3, 2019 (273rd Judicial District Court)

Brandon Dwayne McGalin was indicted for hunting provision violation with previous conviction, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 26, 2022, McGalin knowingly failed to keep the edible parts of an animal in edible condition. The indictment further shows McGalin was previously convicted of a hunting provisions violation on July 3, 2019 (273rd Judicial District Court)

Judd Nichols was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on Deptember 5, 2022, Nichols operated a motor vehicle, grey extended cab without the consent of Peggy Shresta, the owner. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Carly Jordan Bledsoe was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on September 2, 2022, while Bledsoe had custody and care of two children younger than 15 years of age placed the children in circumstances that exposed them to unreasonable risk of harm, namely falling asleep at the wheel with ongoing traffic and not having the children in car seats. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Dakota Travis Rodgers was indicted for evading arrest with motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on February 14, 2022, Rodgers fled from DPS Trooper Timothy Grace, a person Rodgers knew to be a peace officer attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Rodgers. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Avery Brown was indicted for theft of property, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 14, 2022, Brown took “Sky” tablets, of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Russel Dale Gibbons, the owner, without consent. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Faustino Canada was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30,000, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on January 29, 2022, Faustino took a Romex, small Dewalt air compressor, tools and 35 pounds of copper of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from James Russell Miles, the owner, without consent. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Oscar Tox Bo was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 13, 2022, Bo intentionally abandoned a child younger than 15 years in a place, namely their house, under circumstances that exposed the child to unreasonable risk of harm and under circumstances that a reasonable person would believe would place the child in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment while being left under the supervision of the child’s uncle who sexually assaulted her. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Dontay Demond Barnes was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on November 17, 2022, Barnes knowingly operated a 2008 Ford Mustang without the consent of Jayaveon Jacoy Standley, the owner. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Ricardo Zarate-Vazquez was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 22, 2022, Zarate-Vazquez while knowing a crash investigation was ongoing, intentionally, and knowingly concealed methamphetamine with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Ricardo Zarate-Vazquez was indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 22, 2022, Zarate-Vazquez with intent to defraud or harm another, and without the consent of Ranulfo Zarate Riconcillo, Rosa Vazquez Landin, Leticia Baylon Arellano, Jose Carlos Zarate Baylon, Romina Zarate Baylon, and Barbara Jean Matejka (complainants), possessed less than 10 items of identifying information of the complainants. This included, namely, dates of birth, and names of Ranulfo Zarate Riconcillo, Rosa Vazquez Landin, Leticia Baylon Arellano, Jose Carlos Zarate Baylon, Romina Zarate Baylon, and Barbara Jean Matejka and a social security number of Barbara Jean Matejka. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Caleb Davis was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 26, 2022, Davis knowingly operated a white 2007 Ford F150 without without the consent of John Brandon, the owner. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Jeffrey Akins was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 15, 2022, Akins recklessly caused bodily injury to Tonya Parks, a member of Akins family, recklessly impeded the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of Parks by applying pressure to the throat or neck of Parks. (273rd Judicial District Court)

Alan Diaz was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 9, 2021, while using a vehicle Diaz fled from DPS Trooper Dustin Ramos, a person Diaz knew was a peace officer attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Diaz. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Carl Givens was indicted for prohibited weapons, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on December 27, 2022, Givens possessed a short barrel firearm, namely a Cresent Firearms single shot 12-gauge shotgun which had been cut down to be 15.65 inches. The weapon was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or not subject to that registration requirement, and the weapon was not classified as a curio or relic by the United States Department of Justice. (273rd Judicial District Court)

James Christopher Flow was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 22, 2022, Flow entered a habitation without the consent of Robert Hutchns, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a 4-wheeler, black cross bow, 20-gauge shotgun lever action, .22 long rifle with scope. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Wilton Wood was indicted for injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 3, 2023, Wood caused serious bodily injury to Wilton Douglas Wood, an individual 65 years of age or older, by striking him in the head and face with a handgun. (123rd Judicial District Court)

(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)

Ramiro Rax Xol was indicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 27, 2022, Xol caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child who was then and there younger than 14 years of age and not the spouse of Xol, with his sexual organ. (123rd Judicial District Court)

Charles Childress was indicted for sexual assault, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 5, 2022, Childress caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a woman with his sexual organ without the consent of the alleged victim.

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

  • Shelia Jane Hunter, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony – enhanced habitual 25 to 99 years (January 19, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Ethan Scot Ray , possession of a controlled substance penalty group two (psilocin), second degree felony (May 18, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Timothy Mxalan Belrose, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony. (July 1, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Ladamoius Xavier Adams, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 4 (codeine), third degree felony. (March 18, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Brooke Danielle Askew, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=200G<400G (methamphetamine), first degree felony (March 4, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Judd Nichols, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B <1G, state jail felony (September 5, 2022) (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Ladamoius Xavier Adams, unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony (June 8, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Matthew Pate, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 11, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Michee Alexander, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 15, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Rachel Callis, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 1, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Rodney Scourton, possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony. (September 29, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Tammy Sue Sims, unlawful possession of firearm by felon, third degree felony (August 6, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Stacey Coats, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (September 26, 2022). (273rd Judicial District Court)
  • Katina Marshay Evans, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (November 22, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Philipe Falcon, unlawful carry weapon with felony conviction, second degree felony (October 30, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Timothy Maxalan Belrose, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (December 11, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Jarvis Taylor, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (December 6, 2022). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Alan Diaz, possession of marijuana, state jail felony (September 9, 2021). (123rd Judicial District Court)
  • Jose Guadalupe Moreno, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (August 13, 2022). (273rd 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.

February 21, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners sought to move forward with a roofing project on the Juvenile Probation building during their meeting on February 8, 2023.

The Juvenile Probation building, located at 305 Nacogdoches Street in Center, has had several repairs to its roof in the past and the commissioners carried a motion to approve a bid from S Goodwin Roof Service, LLC in the amount of $26,733.

With the cost of fuel remaining in a high range, the commissioners were presented with a potential increase in the standard mileage rate for 2023. The IRS issued the optional standard mileage rates for 2023 in December 2022, which included the increase to 65.5 cents per mile driven for business use.

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the increase from 62.5 cents per mile driven to 65.5 cents per mile driven.

Shelby County District Attorney Karren Price sought the approval of the commissioners to extend a part-time position in her office, held by Whitley Williams, into a permanent part-time position. Price explained Williams has been overseeing the Pretrial Diversion program, and funds gained from that program which help pay her salary are not expected to fund that position alone.

DA Price stated that Williams single-handedly, in the previous two years built up, that fund to around $25,000.

“That’s covered her so far, it’s probably about to run out,” said Price.

Price explained she would like Williams to focus on forfeiture cases for the District Attorney’s office, which up until recently were handled by Paul Robbins who has recently become the District Attorney in San Augustine County.

“I believe there’s about 100 to 120 of those old cases pending, I think I’ve only filed one since I’ve been in office,” said Price. “There is a substantial sum of money pending out there and the treasurer can speak to that.”

Once forfeitures have been accumulated from those cases Price says she is looking toward the future, even beyond herself, Price has a desire for Williams to further her duties and education into cyber forensics and hopefully in the future receive training from the Secret Service in dealing with more computer related investigations, which are an everyday issue and will more than likely continue to have a growing need for attention.

“We have an absolute black hole in Shelby County, Sabine County and San Augustine County, and Panola County frankly in the area of forensic science,” said Price.

She explained computer science is the future of policing and the future is here.

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve extension of the part-time help for the District Attorney’s office until the end of the budget year to revisit at that time. That way the finances can be budgeted for that position.

ETEX Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (ETEX) requested an easement on County property in connection with broadband system for the City of Center and John Price, County Attorney, drafted an easement which he stated has been approved by ETEX. He explained the provisions and terms he included in the document were agreed to by ETEX.

“The easement involved the parking lot in this area behind the courthouse, we’ve discussed this previously, where these portable buildings are the provisions that I have added to the easement they originally proposed, which I was not accepting of, are that that will be broadband will be placed by boring under those lots, there is a provision I’ve included that if for any reason they have to disturb the surface they’ll be responsible for repair and damages replacement, whatever it might take,” said Price.

He also included in the easement provisions for the potential of the county to use that surface in the future for more permanent structure that they inform ETEX first so they may examine the situation in the event they may need to move lines, or make adjustments as a result.

A motion carried by the commissioners to move forward with the easement.

The meeting adjourned into executive session at 10:14am and returned to open session at 10:47am with no action taken on anything discussed in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 10:48am.

February 20, 2023 - FM 138 near FM 1645 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash with a tree on February 18, 2023.

Center Fire Department and West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) responded to the scene to assist with extrication, should it be needed, and traffic control.

According to DPS Trooper Taylor Buster, at 9:50pm a white 1998 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Jaxon Blaine Fleming, 20, of Center was westbound on FM 138 at an unsafe speed for a curve in the roadway when the truck traveled off the roadway to the left. The truck struck a tree head on and ejected two passengers from the vehicle, meanwhile the driver was left in the floor board of the truck when the vehicle came to rest facing the roadway.

Fleming and his passenger Douglas Leo Jackson, 25, were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries.

WSCVFD personnel established a landing zone at the intersection of FM 138 and FM 1645 where a PHI Life Flight helicopter landed and transported Raleigh Windham, 28, to UT Health Tyler for treatment of her injuries.

This crash remains under investigation and there are no further details at the time of this report.

Also assisting at the scene were Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Jimmy Wagstaff; Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5; and Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2.

February 20, 2023 - Emergency responders with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Center Fire Department responded to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 87 near CR 1464 February 18, 2023.

According to DPS Trooper Taylor Buster, at 12:20am a red 2014 Chevrolet Impala driven by McKenzie Rains, 19, of Timpson was southbound on State Highway 87 when the driver stated there were cows in the roadway and she swerved to miss the cattle. Rains took faulty evasive action and failed to drive in a single lane, leaving the roadway to the right before over correcting and crossing the highway before striking a tree and brush in the northbound ditch.

No injuries were reported of Rains or her passenger, Michael Garner.

Rains was arrested and taken into custody on an unrelated warrant out of Rusk County.

The vehicle was towed from the scene.

February 20, 2023 - During the week of February 12th through 18th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department responded to 4 calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.

Monday evening at 7:45pm a page was received regarding a pedestrian struck by a vehicle across from Subway on the Haslam Strip. Upon arriving, the Joaquin VFD found a car stopped in the right lane the road and a man laying on the shoulder of the road in critical condition. Members of the department began traffic control procedures while the EMR team checked out the patient. A short time later Allegiance EMS arrived and eventually the patient was loaded into the ambulance and transported to an emergency room.

The next call came in on Wednesday at 9:52am for a man with a laceration on his leg at a residence on FM 139. At the time of the page it was reported that the patient still had a severe bleed from the cut but by the time the EMR team arrived the bleeding had stopped. A wrap was applied to the wound and the patient was transferred to the care of Allegiance EMS on scene.

Thursday evening at 6:17pm a call was received for a grass fire near Jackson Church on Highway 7 East. The fire appeared to have originated from a burn pile and spread across a yard in the direction of the church. The JVFD responded with 3 brush trucks and a tanker for additional water if necessary. The ground around the fire was very saturated from all of the recent rain and even the most off-road capable brush truck was bogged down for a short time, but ultimately the fire was able to be put out.

Lastly on Friday evening at 5:36pm a page came in for a male with a laceration on his head at a residence on Carroll Street. The EMR team and Allegiance responded to check out the patient, but after being patched up they opted to go to the emergency room in a personal vehicle.

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.

February 17, 2023 - State Highway 87 South outside of Shelbyville was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Thursday, February 16, 2023.

When emergency responders arrived at the scene, just under a mile north of CR 2110 (Cannon Cemetery Road) the pickup truck involved was found upside down in a drainage ditch beside the roadway.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 7:10am a blue 2018 GMC Sierra pickup truck registered to Cypress Bottom Construction and driven by Shawn Edward Vines, of Haynesville, Louisiana, was southbound on State Highway 87 at an unsafe speed on wet roadway through a curve. The truck exited the roadway and then back onto the road where Vines over corrected to the right causing the truck to travel over a culvert and then rolling over onto its side in a drainage ditch.

Vines was transported ambulance to Nocogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.

Vines was issued a citation for unsafe speed and failure to wear a safety belt.

The truck was towed from the scene.

Several DPS units were on scene, as well as additional emergency personnel were on scene including the Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department, Center Fire Department, Constable Jamie Hagler, Center Police Department, and TxDOT.

February 17, 2023 - The intersection of State Loop 500 (SL 500) and State Highway 7 East in Center was the scene of a three-vehicle crash Friday, February 17, 2023.

Officers with the Center Police Department and fire personnel with the Center Fire Department responded to the scene at around 11am.

A silver 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck appeared to have entered the intersection of SL 500 and SH 7 where it collided with a white 2020 Ford Explorer. After the collision, both vehicles traveled into SL 500 where it appeared the truck collided with a trailer being hauled by a white 2017 Peterbilt truck tractor.

According to Center Police Officers Jerry Payne, a blue 1997 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Davian Jones, 18, was southbound on SL 500 when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection with State Highway 7 (SH7) East. At that time a white 2020 Ford Explorer driven by Sheena Smith, 36, was eastbound on SH7 and was unable to avoid colliding with the Chevrolet, and both vehicles traveled into SL 500 on the south side of SH7.

The Chevrolet came to rest against a truck-tractor, with no damage resulting.

Smith was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center – Shelby Emergency Department for medial evaluation. Smith's minor passenger was not reported to have been injured.

A citation was issued to Jones for running the stop sign, Emergency medical services were on scene and provided assistance to the driver of the Explorer. The driver of the Chevrolet and the Peterbilt appeared not to have sustained any injury from the incident.

February 16, 2023 - Shelby County Constable for Precinct 3, Roy Cheatwood, reports the arrest of Aaron Conner Brazzel, 25, following an extensive chase which ended in Louisiana on February 11, 2023.

According to Constable Cheatwood, the vehicle involved in the pursuit had been reported to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department as stolen from a place of business there, and the owner of the 2004 GMC Yukon contacted Constable Cheatwood about the incident in the event the vehicle was on the Texas side.

After being informed of the theft, Constable Cheatwood had a suspicion of who had taken the vehicle and he requested the assistance of Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4, to assist him in the event the vehicle was located.

A family member of the vehicle owner contacted Cheatwood and reported seeing the vehicle on Truitt Cemetery Road off State Highway 7 East. As the officers commenced to searching area roadways, Constable Cheatwood requested the assistance of Shelby County Deputy Jake Gross in searching for the vehicle.

Constable Cheatwood was searching the area in the vicinity of the baseball fields located off State Highway 7 East when he pulled into the parking lot of the complex. At that time Cheatwood believes he and the suspect both spotted each other, and as he activated his emergency lights to attempt to stop the vehicle, the pursuit began.

With Constable Cheatwood engaging the driver to pull over, the chase began to travel CR 3193 where it connected to FM 139 and Deputy Gross joined in the pursuit on FM 139 to State Highway 7 where the vehicles then continued down U.S. Highway 84 traveling toward Logansport. The line of vehicles then traveled U.S. 84 through Logansport to Bogle Road and connected to Old Mansfield Road where the pursuit then headed back toward Logansport Bridge and onto Louisiana 764 to Louisiana 765 and then to State Line Road for around two miles before the more than 13 mile pursuit finally came to an end, when the vehicle crashed and flipped.

After confirming the driver was ok, Deputy Gross deployed an Asp baton and broke the window to help get him out of the vehicle.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department and Louisiana State Police arrived and took over the scene. The driver was then transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Mansfield where he was later released and arrested by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department. According to Constable Cheatwood, upon questioning Brazzel he admitted to taking the vehicle and DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department charged him with theft of a motor vehicle, felony; and fugitive from justice, felony. According to jail information, he is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Constable Cheatwood intends to seek charges against Brazzel for evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle, state jail felony. He encourages residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, remember to remove keys from vehicles, lock doors and if something seems suspicious call law enforcement authorities.

According to Constable Cheatwood, the GMC is owned by Daniel Lawson and was used for flower deliveries in his business, which now will be impacted negatively by the loss of his vehicle.

Cheatwood stated this was the 60th vehicle recovered through his office since he's been in office. He expressed gratitude to Shelby County Deputy Jake Gross, Constable Taylor Fanguy, Constable Josh Tipton, DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department and the Louisiana State Police for their assistance.

Pages