Traffic Stops Result In 3 Controlled Substance Arrests
Three separate traffic stops Friday resulted in 3 controlled substance arrests, according to sheriff’s and police reports.
CR 3502 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s deputies reported stopping a Honda Odyssey at 12:18 p.m. May 29 after seeing the vehicle swerve toward a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on County Road 3502. The driver, identified as 34-year-old Jose Armando Gonzales-Acevedo of Alba, claimed the person in the other vehicle was a friend of his, HCSO Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputy Richard Brantley alleged in arrest reports.
The driver allegedly admitted to having marijuana in the van. A probable cause search of the van revealed not only marijuana, but drug paraphernalia and two vape pens, sheriff’s officer alleged in arrest reports. The 34-year-old Alba man admitted the pens contained THC oil, resulting in his arrest for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Shaw alleged in arrest reports.
Gonzales-Acevedo remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning on the felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Church Street-Airport Road Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a vehicle on Church Street at Airport Road at 6:10 p.m. May 29 for a defective high center mounted stop light. The driver reportedly agreed to let officers search the vehicle.
When asked to exit the car so the deputies could conduct the search, the front seat passenger allegedly admitted to having a small amount of marijuana in a pouch inside of her purse. A search of the purse did reveal a small amount of marijuana and more than one rolled marijuana cigarette in a Marlboro cigarette package and a small bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, Shaw alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, the 45-year-old Glenn Heights woman was placed into custody at 6:23 p.m. May 26, 2020, for possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
After finding no further contraband in the vehicle, deputies transported Shannon Michelle Miller to Hopkins County jail, where the crystal-like substance field-tested positive using a test kit for methamphetamine and weighed 1.04 grams, including packaging, Steward alleged in arrest reports. Thus, Miller was booked on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Miller remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, May 30, 2020, on the felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Wildcat Way Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Silas Whaley and Derrick Williams stopped the driver of a red Honda at 12:12 p.m. May 29, in the 900 block of Wildcat Way for speeding.
After obtaining the permission from the driver and passenger, officers commenced to search the sedan, according to arrest reports. Police alleged finding several white pills later identified as Tramadol, a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance, in the passenger’s purse.
Consequently, the 45-year-old Yantis woman was taken into custody at 12:27 p.m. and transported to Hopkins County jail on the charge. Dannye Jolene Stansberry remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Saturday morning on the possession of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of June 1, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of June 1, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on installing temporary signals and building detours. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews are performing utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: at the OB Groner / West Travis St. intersection. Watch for shoulder closures as crews work on widening the roadway to add turn lanes.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section at the conclusion of the project.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 exit ramp for FM 691. During this phase, westbound Spur 503 to southbound US 75 traffic must use the frontage road through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on ramp after FM 691.
US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
SH 56, Grayson County: between FM 1417 to the Fannin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
PR 20, Grayson County: at Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat surface to the roadway.
FM 1310, Grayson County: from Eisenhower State Park to SH 91. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat surface to the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section. Watch for a traffic shift near the SH 56 intersection in Honey Grove as crews work to build the new westbound lanes. Westbound traffic is being shifted to the eastbound side during this period. Watch for new exit ramps and entrance ramps near the FM 100 intersection.
SH 78, Fannin County: from Oklahoma State line to CR 1125. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on performing base repairs.
US 69, Fannin County: from FM 896 to FM 272 in Leonard. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to overlay the roadway.
County Road 2998, Fannin County: at Cottonwood Creek. County Road 2998 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 2998 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 5060, Fannin County: at Lee Creek. County Road 5060 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 5060 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 814, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to FM 815. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade the high edges off the side of the roadway.
FM 3297, Fannin County: from FM 898 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade the high edges off the side of the roadway.
FM 3321, Fannin County: from FM 274 to the end of State maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade the high edges off the side of the roadway.
FM 2456, Fannin County: from SH 50 to the Hunt County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade the high edges off the side of the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform road rehabilitation operations.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From 1.5 miles east of FM 3134 to 0.82 miles east of FM 2653. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform milling operations.
IH 30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 19 @ Loop 286 – Lamar County. Watch for temporary lane closures as crews install traffic signals.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to State Spur 38 (Bogata). Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install new end treatments on drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement and level up shoulders with hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
US 271, Lamar County: from FM 1499 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary shoulder and lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence. An overnight lane closure will be in place at the Red River bridge.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903, a project that begins May 27 will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor will be setting project limit signs and barricades. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently seeding and watering, sidewalk construction is complete. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
Hunt County maintenance crews are working on repairing pot holes throughout Hunt County. Please be careful when driving in areas where our work vehicles are present. Crews are also working on sealcoat preparation.
Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
###
Man Accused Of Threatening A Cumby Police Officer
Jailed Friday night was a 60-year-old man accused of threatening a Cumby Police officer, according to arrest and jail reports.
Cumby Police Officer Nicholas Geer responded at a Donelton Street address just before 10 p.m. May 29, 2020 at the request of Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson. 60-year-old Kerry Dwayne Kinsey’s employment with North East Texas Power had been terminated and he was reported to still be in possession of a company truck, Geer noted in arrest reports.
Upon arrival, Geer reportedly turned on the emergency light on his patrol car and parked in front of the address. As he stepped out his vehicle and identified himself as an officer. Geer reported seeing a man unloading tools from the business truck in the driveway.
Geer alleged before he stepped on the property, the man told him to get off of his property or he would shoot him. The officer responded by detaining the man in hand restraints as a safety precaution, then frisked him for weapons but found none, Geer wrote in arrest reports.
The owner of North East Texas Power arrived at the Donelton Street location. While the owner talked with Kinsey about returning the company truck, Kinsey allegedly turned toward the officer and threatened to beat him, Geer alleged in arrest reports.
Kinsey was reportedly placed in the patrol car to wait while the power company owner picked up his son and returned so they could take possession of the company truck. Once the truck was recovered, the 60-year-old was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for terroristic threat against a peace office, a felony offense, Geer noted in arrest reports.
Kinsey, shown in arrest reports to reside at a Kaufman address, remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, May 30, on the felony terroristic threat charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County, District Clerks’ Offices Will Reopen Monday, June 1
People Are Still Asked To Call County Clerk For Appointment Before Visiting
Both the County and District Clerks’ Offices will reopen to the public at 8 a.m. Monday, June 1, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom reported Friday. Both offices have been closed the the public since Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom announced on March 23 that all county offices were temporarily closing to in-person visitors, except by appointment, due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Tables have been placed in front of counters in both offices to assist with social distancing until the ordered protective glass arrives and can be installed at each office. Those visiting the offices are asked to observe these measures.
While the front doors to the Hopkins County Clerk’s Office on Jefferson Street will be open beginning Monday, only a limited number of people will be allowed in the building at at time. To ensure this, business will be conducted at the County Clerk’s office by appointment only. Anyone who needs to visit the County Clerk’s Office next week is asked to call ahead to check for available times. The County Clerk’s Office may be reached at 438-4074.
The District Clerk’s Office in Hopkins County will also be reopening to the public on June 1. In addition to tables in front of counters, visitors will notice taping to assist with recommended distancing measures.
No appointments are necessary for the District Clerk’s Office, just show up. However, only a certain number of visitors will be allowed in the District Clerk’s Office at one time. In the event more arrive than space permits, individuals would be asked to wait their turn to enter the office.
The District Clerk’s Office will be open for passports. However, due to space limitations, access to the building will be limited. Those planning to visit should include only individuals required to file the case; any others with the petitioner/applicant not required for the filing process should plan to wait somewhere other than in the building.
7 Sentenced In District Court Thursday, May 28
Seven individuals were sentenced in district court hearings conducted Thursday afternoon, May 28, via Zoom video conferencing due to required COVID-19 measures in place. District Judge Eddie Northcutt was located in the 8th Judicial District Courtroom, the defendants at Hopkins County jail, defense attorneys at either the county jail or courtroom, and Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris and Court Reporter Jana Rushing at other locations.
Brian Derek Wilson, 33, of Kentucky was assessed a 4-year commitment as part of an agreement after pleading guilty to possessions of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He was also assessed a fine and fees.
He is to remain in Hopkins County jail until his transfer to state facility. Wilson received 180 days back credit for time served continuously following his arrest Nov. 30, 2019, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, through the May 28 court proceeding.
Gonzalo Chairez-Navarro pled guilty to second-degree felony possession of 4 grams but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
As part of an agreement, the 24-year-old Dallas man received 10 years deferred adjudication, to be served on probation, after serving 60 days starting May 28 and ending July 27, in the county jail. He too was assessed on a lab fee, a $1,500 fine, court and attorney fees. If he meets all terms of the probated sentence, he would be eligible after a specified period to petition for an order of nondisclosure.
Rebecca Jane Tanner, 39, of Addison pled guilty to possession of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
As part of an agreement she was sentenced to serve 10 months in a state jail, plus a fine, and court and attorney fees.
Tanner received 89 days credit toward her sentence for time served in Hopkins County jail since her arrest on March 1. She will remain in Hopkins County jail until her transfer to TDCJ to serve the remaining time on her sentence.
The sentence is to be served concurrently with any additional time she may be sentenced to serve elsewhere, and time in any other facility. She has a pending case in Lavaca County to revoke her probation on two felony charges, including assault on a public servant.
Cameron Bain, 26, of Pickton was assessed a 15-month sentence. He admitted to violating terms of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
He was given 291 days of back credit for time served in custody, and will continue to serve time in Hopkins County jail until he can be transferred to another facility.
The 15-month sentence is to be served concurrently with any additional time he might be assessed. Bain currently has a pending case in Rockwall.
Amanda Lanell Shanks, 31, of Sulphur Springs faced six charges: two first-degree felony manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges, a second-degree felony manufacture or deliver of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, a third-degree felony prohibited substance or item in a correctional or civic community facility charge, aa third-degree felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair charge, and a second-degree felony possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
As part of an agreement for pleading guilty, Shanks received a 25-year-prison sentenced for the second-degree felony charge. Additional charges were dismissed. She has a prior Tarrant County conviction, for which she reportedly had probation revoked and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. A prior conviction enhances a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony.
She is to continue serving her sentence in Hopkins County jail until her transfer to Texas Department of Criminal Justice. She has remained in Hopkins County jail since her arrest May 12, 2019. She will receive 383 days worth of back credit on her sentence for the time she has been in custody. She also was assessed a $180 lab fee, $500 fine, and court and attorney fees.
Nicholas Chase Ochoa, who is also known as Chase Nicholas Ochoa, received 5-years deferred adjudication for a second-degree felony burglary of a habitation charge. The sentence is to be served on probation.
He also was assessed a $1,000 fine, restitution, court and attorney fees, to be paid out over the 5 years. If he completes the terms of the sentence, he could within the specified term afterward petition for an order of non-disclosure so the charge won’t appear on his record.
Dante Lamar Crosby, 29, of Sulphur Springs was in custody since his arrest Oct. 22, 2019, and faced 4 Hopkins County charges: three second-degree felony manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone offenses and one third-degree felony possession of 1 gram or less of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone offense.
As part of an agreement, Crosby the drug-free zone enhancement was dropped and three of the cases were dropped. However, the charge was enhanced from a potential sentence of 2-20 years to 25-99 years or life in prison due to two third-degree felony charges in other counties, a Delta County deadly conduct charge and a Hunt county possession of controlled substance charge. He was assessed a 25 year prison sentence, lab, court and attorney fees on that charge, and the other three which he admitted guilt to were dismissed.
Crosby will receive 220 days of back time credited to his sentence for the time he has remained in custody. He is to remain in Hopkins County jail until his transfer to another facility.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Choking, Hitting Wife
May 29, 2020 – Sulphur Springs Police Thursday morning arrested a 35-year-old Sulphur Springs man accused of choking, and hitting his wife with his fists and a belt, according to police reports.
Bryan Jermaine Bell and the wife are reported to be separated and reside at different residences.
Bell allegedly around Monday, May 25, during an altercation at his spouse’s residence choked the 35-year-old Sulphur Springs woman. He also is accused of hitting her with a belt and with his fists, and tossing her out an open window, police detectives reported.
Emergency Medical Services reportedly transported the woman to the hospital to be checked out. She had observable scratches, lacerations, bruising and swelling alleged to be the result of the altercation, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs police detectives, following an investigation into the allegations, sought and obtained a warrant for Bell’s arrest for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation.
SSPD Officer Sean Hoffman, after being made aware of the warrant, responded in the area of Bell’s residence in an attempt to locate the man. Hoffman reported seeing the man leaving his residence in a silver car and initiated a traffic stop Thursday, May 28. Bell was taken into custody on the felony warrant at 11:19 a.m. May 28, according to arrest reports.
Bell remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, May 29. Bond on the third-degree assault charge was set at $250,000, according to jail reports.
The arrest isn’t the first time Bell has been jailed locally assault or violence charges, according to jail records. The 35-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s most recent was Dec. 1, 2017 on a Dallas warrant for aggravated assault/strangulation, jail records stated.
Bell was also jailed on an assault causes bodily injury charge on Aug. 21, 2003; and on assault causes bodily injury — family violence charges on July 10, 2006, Sept. 28, 2014, and June 29, 2015, according to Hopkins County jail records. He was sentenced Dec. 19, 2007, to 7 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on an injury to a child, elderly or disabled person charge, according to jail records.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Springs ISD Tax Office To Reopen Monday
The Sulphur Springs ISD Tax Office will be open to the public beginning Monday, June 1, 2020. SSISD Tax Office hours for the summer are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
Taxpayers will need to enter through door #2 at the southwest corner of the front of the SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
HCSO: Van Man Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge
A41-year-old Van man was arrested on a controlled substance charge, after methamphetamine was found in his possession during a FM 71 traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jason Lavender reported the man first caught his attention when he failed to stop the GMC Sierra he was driving at the FM 71/State Highway 154 intersection May 27. So, Lavender initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified in arrest reports as Michael Thomas Ringgold.
When Ringgold refused the deputy’s request to search the truck, Lavender called for the on-call canine to conduct a free air sniff around the vehicle for contraband, the deputy noted in arrest reports. The trained police K-9 allegedly gave a positive alert on the truck, giving Lavender cause to search it.
Lavender alleged finding a glass pipe that appeared to have been used to smoke methamphetamine, with a small amount of suspected meth still in the bowl of the pipe during the search. Consequently, the 41-year-old Van man was arrested at 10:25 a.m. May 27 and jailed a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Ringgold was released from Hopkins County jail Thursday, May 28. Bond on the felony charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
19 SSISD Personnel Changes Approved By School Board
During a special noon meeting Thursday, 19 SSISD personnel changes were approved by the school board. Overall, the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees approved one retirement, four resignations, 12 new personnel and two inter-district job swaps. These changes will impact 8 different district campuses.
Five of the personnel decisions will impact the faculty at Barbara Bush Primary. Kristin McKinney has resigned her position as a kindergarten teacher. Sarah Miles was approved as a new kindergarten math and science teacher. Also approved as new staff at Bush Primary were Kaitlyn Chapman as a first grade 1 math and science teacher, Katy Gifford as a special education aide and Sarah Ingle as a first grade English language arts and reading (ELAR) teacher.
Five personnel matters also were approved for Sulphur Springs Elementary. Resigning are fourth grade teacher Chandra Arvie and physical education (PE) teacher Layne Ashmore. Approved by the school board to join the fourth grade faculty at SSES were Sherry Baugh and Cain Langhoff. Baugh will teach ELAR while Langhoff teaches ELAR and social studies.
Moving from a fourth grade class room at SSES to an 8th grade class at Sulphur Springs Middle School will be math teacher Natosha Burns. Jinjer Postlethwait resigned as an SSMS special education teacher. Approved as a technology specialist at Middle School was Johnathan Stevenson.
Brittany Hicks will continue teaching ELAR classes at Bowie Primary, but will move from a third grade classroom to a first grade classroom. Brenda Wies Grade has been approved to join the faculty to fill a third grade ELAR teaching opening at Bowie Primary.
Recommendations for two new teachers at Sulphur Springs High School were also approved by the trustees at the May 28 school board meeting. Lou Gebel was approved as the new auto tech and construction teacher, and Taylor Thompson as the new animal science agriculture teacher.
Also approved as recommended to trustees Thursday were Christina Shadix as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) intern in the Special Services department and Janice Pickles as a Head Start 4 teacher at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center.
Retiring from the SSISD Maintenance Department is Curtis Peoples, a maintenance worker.
Three Sentenced In District Court This Week
May 28, 2020 – Three people, Timmy Dean Scott, Veronica Diane Swinney and Jeffery Marcus Sackett, were sentenced in 8th Judicial District Court hearings May 26-27, 2020.
Veronica Diane Swinney, who is also known by Veronica Duvall and Veronica Diane Swinney-Duvall, pled guilty May 27 to fraudulent use or possession of 50 or more items of identifying information.
The penalty for a first-degree felony offense ranges from 5 to 99 years or life in prison, and can include an optional fine of up to $10,000. As part of an agreement, the 29-year-old Houston woman received a 15-year prison sentence, a $500 fine, and will be required to pay a court fee and attorneys fee. She has remained in custody since her arrest on Christmas Eve 2019, by Sulphur Springs Police officers.
The Houston woman was one of three individuals in a vehicle in which more than 200 pieces of identifying information belonging to others were allegedly found during a traffic stop around 8:30 a.m. Dec. 24, 2019. All three vehicle occupants allegedly refused to talk about the items when asked about them. The trio was arrested for fraudulent possession of the IDs.
Upon arrival at the jail Christmas Eve, however, the woman who’d identified herself as Veronica Duvall was discovered to have been known previously as 29-year-old Veronica Diane Sweeney, a woman wanted on a for violation of parole.
When asked Wednesday afternoon by 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt about the issue involving her name, it was explained that Swinney is her maiden name.
The 29-year-old Houston woman will receive credit for the time served in custody at Hopkins County jail since her arrest. She is to remain in Hopkins County jail until her transfer to Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Jeffery Marcus Sackett, 31, too appeared before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt May 27, in a hearing conducted via a Zoom video conferencing from Hopkins County jail due to COVID-19 measures, on a second-degree felony aggravated assault of a family member with a deadly weapon.
As part of an agreement, Sackett plead guilty Wednesday afternoon to the lesser charge of assault of a family or household member. He will be required to serve 1 year in the county jail on the Class A misdemeanor charge. He also was assessed court and an attorney fees.
The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs man has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest on Dec. 8, 2019, at the rural residence he shares with his former stepfather. The pair allegedly argued over Sackett not moving out after being asked multiple times to do so. Sackett was accused of trying to stab, and cutting his former stepfather’s hand with a knife. Sackett was reported struck several times with a baseball bat, which the other man allegedly used to defend himself, Hopkins County Sheriff‘s deputies alleged in the December 2019 arrest reports.
Sackett will be given credit for the 172 days he had already served, and is to serve the remainder of his 1 year sentence at Hopkins County jail.
Timmy Dean Scott, 56, was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication probation on a November 28, 2019 possession 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Scott will be required to spend 180 days in jail as a condition of probation, and he must complete a drug rehabilitation program as a condition of probation.
The 56-year-old Sulphur Springs man allegedly claimed suspected marijuana, methamphetamine, pills and drug paraphernalia found in the vehicle he was traveling in during a State Highway 19 traffic stop conducted by sheriff’s deputies early Thanksgiving morning, according to the November 2019 arrest reports.
