May 27, 2025 - Texas Rangers and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department officials served a search warrant April 24, 2025, on the residence of Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, and in the absence of an official public statement this action generated speculative and unsubstantiated scrutiny in the community, which was reflected on social media.
Shelby County Today has obtained the affidavit and search warrant for that operation, which was signed by James A. Payne Jr., 273rd Judicial District Judge.
According to the affidavit, the Texas Rangers were in search of cellular telephones, smart phones, computers, and electronic mobile devices capable of sending and receiving wireless internet access or ethernet connection in an effort to determine Tampering/Destroying Evidence, PC 37.09, Felony 3.
The cause for this search was in part due to a separate investigation of a 20-year-old youth pastor of a church in Shelby County, for Online Solicitation of a Minor, PC 33.021, Felony 3 and /or PC 43.24, Misdemeanor A, Display of Harmful Material to Minor. During interview of that youth pastor the affidavit alleges he admitted to sending photos of a sexual nature via Snapchat to an alleged victim, who is a minor, and that they had been communicating since January 2024.
The affidavit alleges a reluctance by Tipton to help produce the alleged victim for interview and then that victim’s cell phone. According to the affidavit, Shelby County Sheriff's Department Capt. Cameron Nichols asked Tipton to provide the cell phone, identified as evidence, to the Sheriff’s Department and that Tipton informed Nichols the phone had been destroyed. The affidavit also states Tipton later called Capt. Nichols and apologized for lying to Nichols about breaking the phone. Meanwhile, District Attorney Karren Price is also noted in the affidavit as having spoken with Tipton about providing the phone to the Sheriff’s Office as evidence and Tipton told Price, an individual whose name is redacted from the affidavit, had thrown the phone into a lake.
It was the belief of Ranger James Hicks that a search of Tipton’s residence would lead to the discovery of the phone.
The officer's return and search warrant inventory indicates that items seized during the search include four operable iPhones and one laptop computer. In addition, one broken iPhone was also seized. The document didn't indicate where any of these devices were located during the search.
With the exception of District Attorney Karren Price confirming that the search was not in connection with a missing person, and that a body had not been located, Shelby County officials have been silent on providing the community at large with an understanding of what the two investigations are about.
It’s also unknown if, and what, legal action shall be taken moving forward.
Related Article:
DPS Confirms Search at Constable Property; Social Media Rumors Unsubstantiated
