County Attorney Responds to Gambling Raid
Wednesday morning (April 15), Hopkins County Attorney Dusty Rabe said her office would consider both legal and civil action in the three cases filed by local law enforcement regarding the use of gambling machines in Sulphur Springs. Rabe stated forfeiture of property and different types of violations, all Class A misdemeanors, which include charges for keeping a gambling place and possession of a gambling device could result from the charges. She stated that it was important to note whether the violations of the law were generated by the owner of the establishment or the employees.
Saturday (April 11), Sulphur Springs Police conducted a raid of three establishments with 8-liner machines and computers used for gambling. The city and county Special Crimes Unit led the investigation and the raid.
Rabe stated that gambling in Texas is illegal and common sense says that 8-liners and computer sweepstakes games like those confiscated in the raids are gambling.
To date, the type of gambling alleged to have been conducted at the places of business is illegal. The reasons for the attempts at gambling are many. With legal games of gambling available within driving distance of Hopkins County, some overlook the Texas laws that prohibit these games being conducted outside the state’s narrow limits. A lot of money can be made by this type of gambling, said Rabe, and those who own the machines are testing the waters to see how various counties will respond to the law. She stated that some are seeking ways to circumvent or tweak current laws, “They go in with machines to rent and promise the business a 12.5% cut of the profits which they keep a 12.5% cut with 4% going to charity… They say it doesn’t cost to play.” Rabe points out that it does cost to play. Those who gamble are given a free dollar and an account number is established for them. With the free dollar they have a 1% chance of winning. They are then given the option of adding money to the account which will increase the odds to a 70% chance of a win. Money cannot be used as a reward for winning nor can any prize over a $5 value. However, Rabe points out, gift cards have been attempted and cash is often used as a prize.
Computer sweepstakes appear to be another way groups are attempting to sidestep the law according to the county attorney. She said the Texas Attorney General’s has offered an opinion opposing computer sweepstakes gambling based on the sweepstakes in relationship to the lottery.
The county attorney pointed out that those who own the machines often move from county to county hoping a jury will allow them to continue to operate.
Lt. Harold McClure with the Special Crimes Unit said the undercover operation investigating illegal gambling with 8-liners in Sulphur Springs began around the first of March. He said this type of investigation is not the forte of the local special crimes unit but that this does come under their purview. McClure said that in at least one instance a convenience store was paying out with scratch off lottery tickets which is in violation of the Texas Lottery Commission law and guidelines for use of the machines. Some of the locations also hold alcohol license which violates the law of promotion of gambling.
Executing search warrants on three locations in Sulphur Springs Saturday night, machines and computers, along with over $12,000 were seized. The investigation is on-going. Cases have been filed with the Hopkins County Attorney’s Office and prosecution of the cases will come from that office.
Wallace Named RSVP Volunteer of the Year
Juanita Wallace was selected “Volunteer of the Year” and Meal-A-Day was named station of the year Tuesday night, April 14th at the 2015 Spring Awards Banquet for Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The event was conducted at New Beginnings Fellowship.
Meal A Day was awarded “Station of the Year” several of the Volunteer Cooks and Drivers were at the Banquet to accept the award.
Juanita Wallace was selected as the “Volunteer of the Year”. Juanita has been volunteering at Meal A Day since January 1997. Juanita’s family was there to see her get her award.
Shown in Photo: Left to Right Patsy Cowan, Last year’s winner, Juanita Wallace, Susan Kahn and Kelly Hamill
‘Updated’ Man Arrested for On-line Solicitation A Lakes Regional MHMR Case Worker
April 15, 2015 – He describes himself on Linkedin as a Lakes Regional MHMR case worker who works with a caseload of 50 young people who struggle with ADHD. He notes he has been employed at Lakes Regional (June 2011 to present). Educated with a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Liberty University, a Christian university founded in 1971 by Rev. Dr. Jerry Falwell whose son is now President of the University, Gary Curtis George of Greenville was arrested by Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County law enforcement for solicitation of a minor. George was arrested at Coleman Park when he thought he was meeting a 15-year old female instead of a 30-something officer. He had in his possession a vibrator which was intended as a gift to the minor. According to officers, he made a full confession of his online activity of solicitation.
GARY CURTIS GEORGE
According to the Human Resources Director for Lakes Regional MHMR who returned KSST News’ call late Thursday afternoon April 16, George is separated from employment with the agency. He had worked in the Greenville office based on a phone directory at the office. His office voice mail remained active at 1 p.m. Thursday.
Prior to being a case worker for Lakes Regional MHMR, he was Principal at Mineral Heights Christian Academy in Greenville from December 2006 until November 2007. The Academy closed in 2012 according to their website. George earned his BS (2010) with a major in Psychology and finished with a 4.0, according to his Linkedin account. He also received his Masters in Clinical counseling in 2012
Prior to his work in education and mental health, George started his own business as a handyman and grew it into a construction company with several sub-contractors. He was credited on Linkedin by those who knew him for his work in group and family therapy.
Gary Curtis George has made $100,000 bail, and is no longer in Hopkins County Jail.
“Updated” Wildcat Golf Advances to State
Wildcat golf advances to the state tournament following a third place regional finish in Rockwall Tuesday. The Wildcats, who placed second in District 15-5A, finished behind Texas High, District 15-5A champions, and Lufkin. It is the first time in this millennium for Wildcat golf to qualify for state.
The Wildcats shot a 609 total for the two days. Seven strokes out of first place but only 1 out of second. The team had played the Rockwall course only twice. The Wildcats tied for the best round on Tuesday shooting a 299 to go with their opening day 310. Garrett Landers was second place medalist with 141. Brody Blackmon shot 145, Alex Motes had 159, Mason Maeker 164 and Cason Parks 169. The State tournament is April 27-28.
Picture courtesy of Michelle Moody-Blackmon.
Good Job Hannah!
Hannah is safe! Not that anyone of us doubts her talents, but navigating ‘The Voice” also takes fan support. Clear she has fans, and the needed support. Go Hannah!
District Judge Northcutt Orders Re-trial for Stabbing Death Case
District Judge Eddie Northcutt rejected the original plea bargain offered to Roy Dean Duffey in 2011, in the 8th District Court today. This will essentially restart the entire trial process including jury selection. The re-trial is tentatively slated for Summer 2015.
Duffey is accused of the stabbing death of David Harrison Cooper in Sulphur Springs on February 20, 2011.
Here is a brief summary of events is this case.
Days after the plea bargain, friends and family of Duffey met with District Judge Robert Newsom. It is suggested that this meeting could have required Judge Newsom to be removed from the case. Defense attorneys sought to have Judge Newsom removed from the case. A visiting judge John Ovard denied their motion keeping Judge Newsom. Subsequently Duffey pleaded guilty to manslaughter and went to a jury for punishment. Duffey plead guilty and a jury sentenced him to 12 years in prison. An appeals court overturned the case and sent it back to 8th District Court.
Again today’s ruling will re-start the entire trial process.
Click here for a KSST March 2015 story in this case.
Click here for an KSST October 2014 story in this case.
Court of Appeals Record DUFFEY v. STATE with details about some of the concerns.
County Jail Sales Tax Bill Stalled in Committee
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom says Senate Bill 1158, which will allow the county to pay for their new County Jail using an increase in the sales tax in lieu of property taxes with voter approval, remains in a Senate committee. State Senator Bob Hall has requested a hearing for the bill. The bill would still have to navigate its’ way through the House. The current Legislative session goes through the end of May.
Click here for more information on the proposed sales tax increase.
Proposal to Change Voting in Hopkins County
In hopes of being included in a pilot voting project by the Texas Secretary of State, Hopkins County government is holding some meetings. The project would allow county voters to cast a ballot at any polling place in the county on election day. It would also allow the county to reduce polling sites, perhaps from 21 to 14. County Judge Robert Newsom hopes rural schools choose to be polling sites.
Midnight Riders Upcoming Benefit Ride
The Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club in Sulphur Springs is having its’ second annual Illness Rally Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. until midnight at Highwayman Ink on Highway 19 South. Funds raised will benefit Trina Hill, a mother and wife who is battling cervical cancer. Midnight Riders First Lt. Terry Pearce says the rally will be a family event with live bands, bike games, food vendors and other vendors.
