Charged With Arson in December, Morris Now Faces Burglary, Drug, and Tampering Charges
James Michael Morris, 31, of Sulphur Springs was arrested Monday morning at 1:40 a.m. by Hopkins County Deputy Todd Evans when Evans noted a defective license plate on the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Morris was driving on County Road 3528 at FM 67. Morris was wanted on a warrant for burglary of a building, a case that was under investigation by the Sheriff’s office following Morris arrest for arson on Thursday, December 22, 2016.
As Evans initiated the stop, Morris turned onto the county road and a black article came out the window of the Tahoe. Morris denied the article was his. Evans arrested Morris on the warrant and retrieved the black article, a sunglasses case that contained several glass pipes busted and items.
Morris was charged in December with setting a vehicle on fire on December 12th after falling a couple of months behind in car payments. He had turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Office at that time.
Now Morris is back in Hopkins County Jail being held on Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with intent to Impair, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Burglary of a Building.
Atlanta, TX Woman Arrested Locally for Possession of Meth
January 2, 2017 – A Hopkins County Deputy stopped a passenger vehicle for a traffic violation at 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve on FM 2560 at County Road 2458. The vehicle had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage and several open containers. A probable cause search found a small round metal can in the purse of Hope Marie Sertuche, 25, of Atlanta, TX. Inside the container was a clear baggie with a white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. A records check showed her wanted for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in Morris County.
Hope Marie Sertuche
Sertuche was booked into Hopkins County jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram less than 4-grams and on the Morris County warrant. Her bond was set at $15,000 for each offense.
Hopkins County Under Tornado Watch Until 2 p.m. and Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 9 a.m. Monday
Hopkins County and much of North and Central Texas is under a tornado warning until 2 p.m and under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 a.m. Monday morning. Some storms may be severe with damaging wind and large hail. An isolated tornado is also possible with the best chances south of I-20. These storms will move east of the region by midday.
Bayou Jack’s Cajun Grill Closes Celebration Plaza Location
The sign is gone and the U-Haul trailer being loaded with liquor and other items from Bayou Jack’s Cajun Grill, 113 Gilmer Street was the first indication many in Sulphur Springs were given that the restaurant was closing. An announcement on their Facebook page, just before 8 p.m. Sunday night, was another.
In the announcement, they stated they were sad they had decided to close the Sulphur Springs location and invited patrons to visit their McKinney or Roanoke locations.
The restaurant had served as an anchor at Celebration Plaza for some time. The building in which they were located recently sold to an injury law attorney who is establishing a third office in Sulphur Springs according to other business owners near the location.
Hopkins County Officials Receive Oath January 1st
Newly elected and re-elected Hopkins County officials received the oath of office at 4 p.m. Sunday in the District Court Room of the County Courthouse. Among those receiving the oath of office: Newly elected Sheriff Lewis Tatum and County Commissioner, Precinct 1 Mickey Earl Barker. Returning elected officials include: Eighth District Court Judge Eddie Northcutt, , District Attorney Will Ramsey, County Attorney Dustanna Hyde Rabe, Tax Assessor-Collector Debbie Pogue Jenkins, County Commissioner, Precinct 3 Wade Bartley, Constable, Precinct 1 Norman Colyer and Constable, Precinct 2 William B. “Bill” Allan.
Also all sheriff’s deputies received the oath as well. New deputies included retired Sheriff Butch Adams, who will continue to serve as a reserve for the courthouse.
Patrol Unit Camera Captures Intent to Impair Evidence
A SSPD patrol unit video camera captured Delandria Aeriel Pryor, 25, of Sulphur Springs, as she removed a clear plastic bag containing suspected marijuana and destroyed it to avoid prosecution. Residue of marijuana was also found in the patrol car seat where she was sitting. At book-in at Hopkins County jail, the remaining pieces of the bag still containing residue of marijuana was removed from her front pocket.
Pryor was arrested in the 200 block of North League Street Friday around 4:40 p.m. She was arrested in a warrant stop that led to the arrest of Cedric Dewight Mosley. Pryor is in Hopkins County jail being held on a $10,000 bond for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with intent to Impair.
Arrested for Hunt County Warrants, Man Attempts to Consume Marijuana
Cedric Dewight Mosley, 35, of Sulphur Springs was observed driving a blue Cadillac Deville in the 200 block of League Street Friday around 4:40 p.m. Sulphur Springs Police knew that he was wanted on Hunt County warrants. Mosley was placed in an SSPD patrol unit and there consumed suspected marijuana to avoid prosecution. He had residue in his mouth when taken from the patrol unit. Marijuana residue was also found in the patrol unit seat where Mosley had been sitting.
Mosley is in Hopkins County jail being held on a $10,000 bond for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair and on the Hunt County warrants.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested on Warrant for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
December 31, 2016 – Friday at 12:40 p.m. in the 800 block of Ingram Street, Steven Dwayne Johnson, 50, of Sulphur Springs was arrested on a warrant for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Felony 1. The child was under six years of age. Sulphur Springs Police located Johnson at his home and carried out the arrest without incident.
Johnson is in Hopkins County jail held on a $200,000 bond.
Lady Cats Win Idabel Tourney; Resume District Play Tuesday at Marshall
As we get ready to ring in a new year, the Lady Cats’ basketball team will remember 2016 fondly. On the penultimate day of the old year, the Lady Cats captured their second tournament title of the season. The Lady Cats used their defense to defeat Canton, 50-29 in the title game of the Idabel, Oklahoma Warrior Winter Classic.
The Lady Cats led all night long: 15-9 after the first quarter, 26-14 at halftime and 33-20 after three quarters.
Kaylee Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 18 points and 14 rebounds, a big double double. Jefferson also had 2 blocks, 2 steals, 4 deflections and 1 assist. Jefferson was also named the tournament MVP. Tori Moore had 13 points including 3 three-pointers. Moore also had 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 deflections. Autumn Tanton added 6 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Tanton was selected to the all-tournament team. Daieyshia Pruitt scored 6 points including 1 three-point basket. Pruitt also had 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 assists. Sadavia Porter had 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 3 steals, 7 deflections and a team high 8 assists. Destinee Weeks had 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal and 1 deflection. The Lady Cats had 12 steals and 15 deflections.
Amazingly the Lady Cats committed only 3 personal fouls in the game. The Lady Cats lost in the championship game at Idabel last year. The Lady Cats also captured the title at an Edgewood tournament December 8-10. Earlier in 2016, the Lady Cats won the district championship last season and won a bi-district game against Lindale after an unbelievable comeback.
The Lady Cats are now 17-3 this season. That record includes a 3-0 record in district games. The Lady Cats resume district play at Marshall next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Saltillo Lady Lions Win 1 Lose 2 in Leonard Tourney
The Saltillo Lady Lions’ basketball team won one game and lost two in a Leonard tournament this week.
Wednesday the Lady Lions lost to Whitewright, 41-7. Thursday the Lady Lions lost a tough one, 26-25 to North Lamar. It was a seesaw game. Saltillo led 9-4 after the first quarter. The Pantherettes grabbed the lead 15-9 at the half. The Lady Lions had a big third quarter and recaptured the lead after 3, 22-17. North Lamar ended with a rush to take the one point win. For Saltillo, Sienna Collins scored 6 points. Jocelyn Ochoa and Tori Mobley had 5 points apiece. Melissa Groenewold added 4, Ana Gallegos 3 and Madison Simmons 2. Madison Morrison of North Lamar led all scorers with 9 points.
Friday the Lady Lions defeated Farmersville, 45-35. The Lady Lions trailed at the half 21-17 but outscored Farmersville 28-14 to get the victory. Ana Gallegos had a big game for the Lady Lions with 12 points. Madison Simmons scored 9 points, Jocelyn Ochoa added 6 points, Melissa Tawil had 5 points, Brenda Castro, Sienna Collins and Melissa Groenewold had 4 points apiece and Tori Mobley scored 3 points.
