Grand Jury Indicts 40 in September, 2018
Forty (40) indictments were handed up by a Hopkins County Grand Jury Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Those who have been previously arrested and announced under indictment include:
Jessica Elizabeth Bender was indicted for Abandon Endanger Child Criminal Negligence. Child Protective Services began an investigation after Jessica Elizabeth Bender, 27 of Sulphur Springs and her year old child tested positive for methamphetamine. Special Crimes Unit was contacted and began an investigation as well. SCU obtained an arrest warrant for Bender in August of this year.
Rita Carol Cleek was indicted for Assault Public Servant.
Anthony Glenn Ross was indicted for Assault Public Servant and for Evading Arrest Detention with Previous Conviction. When stopped by a Sulphur Springs Police officer for riding a bicycle without a headlight, Anthony Glen Ross, 53, of Sulphur Springs, was uncooperative, combative, and fled the officer. The officer had attempted a pat down for weapons. Ross evaded on foot at first and then began to fight when the officer sought to restrain him. Ross continued to resist forcing the officer to draw and deploy his Tazer, which had no effect on Ross. He continued to resist and eventually struck the officer in the mouth causing bodily injury to the officer. Eventually, the officer subdued Ross and other officers arrived to assist. When Ross was secured, a brown paper bag containing a suspected narcotic and smoking pipe was found on the ground where the struggle had occurred.
Michael David Alderson was indicted for Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle. When the Hopkins County Deputy asked consent to search the 2009 Buick LaCrosse driven by Michael David Alderson of Lillie, Louisiana, not only was consent denied but Alderson fled the scene of the traffic stop. The deputy was standing at the passenger side window of the LaCrosse near the 141 mile marker on I-30 when he informed Alderson that he would deploy his K9 for a free air sniff of the vehicle due to the fact that consent to search had been denied. At that time, Alderson placed the vehicle in drive and left the scene. The deputy pursued with lights and siren. Speeds reach 120 miles per hour before Alderson stopped three miles later.
Haitham Munir Mawari was indicted for Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle.
Nathan James Bearden was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Adrian Uriel Garcia-Alcala was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Keith Lydell Holland Jr. was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Wesley Thomas McConnell was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Katelyne Theresa Standiford was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Kwadarius Sharard Timmons was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Jimmy Villa, Jr was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair and for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. When Sulphur Springs Police initiated a traffic stop, the driver of a 2005 Dodge Durango began making what was described as furtive movements inside the vehicle. The driver pulled into a convenience store and slowly came to a stop. Villa, 27, of Haskell, was ordered to place his hands on the steering wheel but he continued to reach down toward the floorboard area. Officers removed him from his vehicle. Officers found a torn sandwich baggy on the floorboard and several shards of suspected methamphetamine as well as suspected meth ground into the carpet of the vehicle. A field test of the substance showed positive for meth and the weight was determined to be 1.3-grams.
Saschtity Kate Patton was indicted for Burglary of a Habitation and for Credit Care or Debit Card Abuse.
Keiosha Shymetric Blackmon was indicted for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
Michael Wayne Putman was indicted for Theft Property more than $2,500 but less than $30,000.
Shaukiquia Tralynn Ford was indicted for Theft Property more than $2,500 Two or More Previous Convictions.
Ronnelle Louis Collins was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram and for Money Laundering more than $2,500 but less than $30,000. A 2017 Dodge Challenger without a front license plate was stopped near the 136 mile post on I-30 by a DPS Trooper. During the stop, Ronnelle Louis Collins, 19, of Little Rock, Arkansas was deceptive when asked questions about prior criminal activity and avoided eye contact when asked questions about the presence of drugs, weapons and money in the vehicle, according to the officer’s report. A DPS K-9 unit was called. As a result of the k-9 giving a positive alert on the vehicle, a search of the vehicle found a small amount of a controlled substance, a Glock .45 caliber semi-auto handgun, $13,000, and drug paraphernalia including bags and scales.
Leah Nicole Walker was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams. When the driver of a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation at North Davis and Connally Streets refused consent to search, a K9 was called to the scene. Leah Nicole Walker, 35, of Sulphur Springs, the driver of the vehicle, was nervous during the stop and the officer asked for consent to search the vehicle. Tanya Marie Gilbert, 32, of Saltillo (see below), was a passenger in the vehicle. The K9 alerted on the vehicle and the officer conducted a search that located a crystal like substance believed to be Methamphetamine in the vehicle. On the passenger’s person, the officer found methamphetamine.
Tanya Marie Gilbert was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone.
William L. Durr was indicted for two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. In a traffic stop by a Hopkins County Deputy at the 136 mile marker on I-30, William L. Durr, 38, of Youngstown, Ohio (picture not available at time of publication) was arrested for possession of Heroin, Cocaine, and Promethazine. A strong odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle and a probable cause search revealed the marijuana and three other substances. The substances were in a backpack belonging to Durr. A records search showed Durr to have a criminal history for multiple felony offenses and possession of controlled substances.
Tammy Lashawn Powdrill was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. When Sulphur Springs Police stopped a 2000 Chevy Silverado on a traffic violation, Tammy Lashawn Powdrill, 52, of Sulphur Springs appeared extremely nervous, according to the officer’s report. The officer was denied consent to search the vehicle. However, he contacted a Hopkins County Sheriff’s K9. The K9 alerted on the vehicle. A search followed. The officer located several pieces of drug paraphernalia. Powdrill was arrested for the paraphernalia and upon arrival at the Hopkins County Jail more contraband was found in the rear seat of the patrol car where she had attempted to hide it. During book in, jail staff located a large green baggie with a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Crystal Brooke Vargas was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and for Manufacture Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County SWAT Team executed a search warrant and located 2.5-grams of suspected methamphetamine at a Helm Lane Apartment earlier this month. The warrant was the result of a Special Crimes Unit investigation. Wednesday, July 25th at 10 p.m., Chrystal Brooke Vargas, 36, was arrested at a location on East Industrial Drive. She confessed to the Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams, a Felony 3.
Dusty Lynn Woodson was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams in a Drug Free Zone .
Joshua Kenny Mandell was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Crystal Dawn Sims was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Pedro Gonzalez-Serrano was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Grandmother, Mother Arrested for Endangering Child
Child Protective Services began an investigation into Pandora Sue Ewalt, 53, of Sulphur Springs and her daughter Summer Wright for drug use around a child. Ewalt is the grandmother and Wright is the mother of the child.
During the investigation both the grandmother and the mother along with the 11-month old child tested positive for methamphetamine. Child Protective Services contacted the Special Crimes Unit and SCU began an investigation. SCU obtained warrants for the arrest of both Ewalt and Wright.
Both are charged with Abandoning/Endangering a Child, a State Jail Felony.
Video Production: Hopkins County United Way Donor Luncheon September 26, 2018
Hopkins County United Way Donor Luncheon at the Sulphur Springs Country Club Wednesday featured Colby Carthel, who coached the Texas A & M University-Commerce Lions to the Football 2017 National Championship win.
Hearts of Life Presents Peggy Sue for Adoption
Peggy Sue is approximately 4 years old. She is not your typical outgoing, adoptable dog. Peggy Sue is extremely shy but very affectionate once she gets to know you. She has been to several adoption events for exposure & interaction, but she would rather be in her safe place.
Peggy Sue responds to us as her caretakers very well, but she definitely has a hesitation when it comes to male humans. She was a stray/dump so we don’t know her exact history, but we have a general idea. We are working with her to help her overcome her fears, but until then, she is only available to a home who is qualified to help her through these issues. She is happiest when she’s with her best friend Heidi (who is also available) but other dogs/animals are not known.
Her adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, shots, spay and rabies. If you would like to meet Peggy Sue to see if she approves you or if you have that special needs home that fits her (and our) criteria, please contact us! Call Hearts of Life Animal Rescue at 903-439-5019, email [email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or find us on Petfinder.com
Acker’s Final Day; Death Sentence to be Carried Out Today
Daniel Clate Acker,46, will be the 10th convicted killer to be put to death in Texas and the second in two days when he is given a lethal injection tonight, Thursday, September 27th. The date was set as the date for the execution by Eighth Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcut. The order was hand delivered to TDCJ Wednesday, May 9th.
Acker is on Death Row in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice convicted of the kidnapping and the murder of 32-year old Marquetta “Markie” George. Acker, a native of Hunt County, was 29 at the time of his conviction. Acker’s made appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court. However, in April, the court upheld the 2001 ruling of the Hopkins County Eight Judicial District Court. County Judge Robert Newsom was the District Judge who presided during the trial. Local attorney Frank Long was the District Attorney.
Acker and George were living together in a trailer in Hopkins County when an argument began between the two at Bustin’ Loose, a nightclub located outside the city limits of Sulphur Springs at that time. Acker left the club but returned later and could not locate George. She arrived at their trailer the next morning in the company of a bouncer from the club. Neighbors testified that Acker forced George into his vehicle. Acker says that George jumped from his vehicle causing her death. Criminal Investigators from the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office said she was dead when pushed from the vehicle.
Acker was no stranger to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prior to his Capital Murder Conviction. He was received in TDCJ in May, 1993 on a ten year sentence for Burglary of a Habitation in Delta County. Released on parole in October of 1995, he returned in April of 1997 without a new conviction. He was released on Mandatory Supervision in September 1999. He was accused of the murder of George in March, 2000.
Acker’s execution follows the execution of Troy Clark who was executed Wednesday for torturing and drowning a woman in his bathtub and then putting her body in a barrel. This will be the first time in six years that inmates in Texas have been put to death in consecutive days.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum, former Criminal Investigator Toney Hurley, and Texas Ranger John Vance will attend the 6 p.m. execution.
Chamber Connection September 27, 2018
The Chamber has a few sites left in the 49th Annual Stew Cook-off. The deadline for entry into the contest is Friday, October 5th at 5:00 p.m. All cooks signed up for the 49th Annual Stew Cook-off will need to attend the cooks come-and-go reception on Tuesday, October 16th at 6 p.m. at the Southwest Dairy Museum. Cooks will receive their grocery reimbursement check from the Chamber, their goody bags, and a list of rules and regulations for the Stew Cook-off. Please make plans to be there!!! T-shirts will be available for purchase that night. Call the Chamber for additional information at (903) 885-6515.
PCI Manufacturing is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration
PCI Manufacturing, located at 906 N. Hillcrest Drive in Sulphur Springs, is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, September 27th at 11 a.m.
City National Bank hosting ribbon cutting and business after hours events
City National Bank is hosting the re-opening of their 1133 Mockingbird location in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, September 27th. They will host a customer appreciation event during the lunch hour with refreshments from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and will hold their ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Then, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., they will host a Business After Hours Mixer for everyone to come by, network, and check out the new facility.
Hunt Regional is offering Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on September 27th in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Wells Furniture has scheduled their ribbon cutting celebration
Wells Furniture, located at 468 West Shannon Road in Sulphur Springs, is holding their ribbon cutting celebration at noon on Friday, September 28th.
Walk Like MADD event is scheduled for Saturday, September 29th
The annual Walk Like MADD event is scheduled for Saturday, September 29th at Shannon Oaks Church in Sulphur Springs at 6 p.m. The event is a glow walk and is a great activity for family and friends.
Ribbon cutting scheduled for 1-30 Rest Stops in Cumby
Tex-Dot will will be hosting their I-30 Rest Area Debut/Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Monday, October 1st at 11 a.m. They are located in Cumby and will be held on the North side rest stop.
Ginger’s Photography is hosting a ribbon cutting celebration
Ginger’s Photography, located at 521 Main Street, Suite 24, is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, October 3rd, at noon.
The Senior Citizens Center will host a Walk to Remember on Thursday, October 4th at 6 p.m.
The Senior Citizens Center will host a Walk to Remember benefiting Terrific Tuesdays on Thursday, October 5th at 6 p.m. at The Gardens at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. There is a $20 registration fee that includes a t-shirt. For more information, contact Karon Weatherman at (903) 885-1661.
Reign is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration
Reign, located at 215A Main Street in Sulphur Springs, is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, October 5th, at noon.
Dutch Oven Cook-off and Indian Summer Days is scheduled Saturday, October 6th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hopkins County Heritage Park will host Indian Summer Days with the John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off on Saturday, October 6th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry fee to the Indian Summer Days is $3.00 per person and includes food and fun for the whole family! While there, you may purchase an all you can eat plate for $5.00 to the Dutch Oven Cook-off. To enter the Dutch Oven Cook-off, call Rick Wilson at (903) 885-9692.
Ribbon cuttings: Hampton House Jewelry hosted their 25th anniversary celebration
Hampton House hosted their 25th anniversary celebration and ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 20th at 2 p.m. Hampton House is located at 305 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Congratulations on 25 years of business in Hopkins County!
Coach Maness on Lady Cats 3-1 Volleyball Loss at Lindale Tuesday Night
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness commented on the Lady Cats 3-1 loss at Lindale Tuesday (September 25) night. The loss gives the Lady Cats are 0-2 district mark after opening with two road matches. The Lady Cats, ranked #25 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Poll, have a season mark now of 24-9.
Coach Maness said he saw a lot more effort from the Lady Cats against Lindale than he did in the game at Royse City last Friday (September 21). He said Lindale is a good team and he added he knew they would be tough to beat at home. Coach Maness said the Lady Cats followed the game plan fairly well. He said unforced errors down the stretch ended up leading to the Lady Cats defeat. Coach Maness expects district play to be interesting. He doesn’t think anyone will go through it undefeated. Coach Maness said the Lady Cats had already played a couple of the toughest district contests.
He is hoping for a repeat of last year for the Lady Cats. After opening district play 0-2, the Lady Cats won eleven matches in a row. The Lady Cats ended up in a tie for first place with Texas High and then won a match over the Lady Tigers to get the district’s #1 seed and the district championship. Coach Maness said he was working to keep the Lady Cats thinking positively.
Autumn Tanton had a strong game for the Lady Cats at Lindale. She had a team high 19 kills. Coach Maness said she really had high energy as the match progressed. He said he needs more of that from all his players on the court. Coach Maness said if all members of the team do that, the Lady Cats will be hard to beat. The Lady Cats have their district home opener Friday. Greenville comes to Wildcat Gym for a match that starts at 5 p.m. He is hoping for a good crowd. Coach Maness said he wants to end up the first half with a 3-2 record. Royse City and Lindale will have to visit Wildcat Gym during the district’s second half of the schedule.
Here are the stats from the Lindale match Tuesday night. Autumn Tanton had 19 kills and that led the Lady Cats. Sydney Washburn, Lexi Whisenhunt and Madison Vickery all had five kills. Abbi Baier had 4 and Sadie Washburn 3. In assists, Whisenhunt had 27 and Sadie Stroud had 2. In digs, Stroud had a team high 24. Maddie Millsap and Whisenhunt had 13 each. Sadie Washburn and Tanton had 7 apiece. Baier and Taylor McElfresh had 4 digs each. In block assists, Sadie Washburn had 2 and Tanton 1.
Wildcats, Mount Pleasant Team Tennis Squads Hope to Get in District Match Wednesday
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad and Mount Pleasant are hoping to get a break in the rainy weather this Wednesday (September 26) afternoon so they can play their district match at 3:30 p.m. in Mount Pleasant.
The match was originally scheduled to be played Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday morning Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said the match had been moved to Wednesday afternoon. There was no reason given.
The Wildcats enter the match with a 1-2 district mark and a season record of 4-9.
Winnsboro Evacuation Lifted Wednesday at Noon
The Evacuation has been lifted and all roads are now open in Winnsboro. Air Quality and the risk of danger have been deemed concluded.
As Hopkins County Emergency Management Planning Team met Tuesday morning to continue preparation toward a table-top emergency drill, in Winnsboro Tuesday afternoon the City of Winnsboro and Wood County began responding to a fire at Valley Feed Mill, 1211 E. Coke Road in Winnsboro. The response to the fire became a became a full-blown response to potential disaster. The fire is under control as of early Wednesday. However, smoke, gasses and fumes that the fire is emitting remain a concern. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Department of Public Safety, Wood County Emergency Management/Fire Marshall, and local Fire Departments and Haz-Mat organizations are on scene and responding to the emergency.
A one-half mile area was evacuated as the fire spread through the facility. The evacuation stretched along East Broadway Street from Walnut to FM 515 and from FM 852 to Highway 11. All businesses with in the evacuation zone are close until further notice. No deliveries will be made or received. Keller’s Creamery is within the evacuation zone. Residents in the area have been evacuated. Some of those residents are in hotels in Mt Pleasant.
No school campuses are affected by the area.
The air quality will be retested and weather conditions evaluated Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. At that time, decisions will be made regarding a proper response to the emergency.
