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Carpenter announces run for County Clerk

Leticia Carpenter
Leticia Carpenter

Press Release

Assistant County Clerk Leticia Carpenter announced her candidacy for Henderson County Clerk and will be seeking the Republican Party nomination in March 2014. After 23 years as Henderson County Clerk, Gwen Moffeit has decided to retire. Moffeit leaves the county in good hands as Carpenter has been training to take over the reins for the last two years.

Moffeit said, “I knew the day would come that I would retire and I wanted to make sure that the office was left in great hands. I know wholeheartedly that Leticia is the right choice for County Clerk and she will have my complete support throughout her campaign.”

Carpenter was first employed by the Henderson County Clerk’s office in 2001 and promoted to Assistant County Clerk in March of 2011.

Carpenter graduated from Eustace High School and received her Associates in Criminal Justice degree from Trinity Valley Community College in 1999. Carpenter also completed several bachelors’ level courses at Texas A&M-Commerce. Putting education on the back burner with the arrival of her first of two sons, Carpenter began dedicating herself to her career at the clerk’s office learning as much as she could about all aspects of the office. Carpenter’s dedication and loyalty to her office was rewarded in 2011 when Gwen Moffeit appointed her to Assistant County Clerk.

Carpenter’s experience as Assistant County Clerk has given her a front row seat to see what it takes to run a department. Strong work ethic, dedication, standards and ability to serve the county with a servant’s heart are characteristics Carpenter believes have led her to making her decision to seek office as Henderson County Clerk.

Carpenter said, “I will be a great steward for Henderson County and without a doubt have the knowledge and experience to run a great office.”

The County Clerk’s Office is responsible for recording and preserving public records such as Birth, Death, and Marriage licenses. The Clerk’s Office also records and preserves real property records, probate and civil cases, and misdemeanor criminal cases. Carpenter’s role as Assistant County Clerk allows her to work with county commissioners and judges on a daily basis handling county administrative duties. Carpenter believes with the clerk’s office handling so many administrative duties that her strong problem solving and managerial skills help keep the efficiency of daily office operations at a high standard.

Carpenter feels as though her knowledge of all the clerks’ office procedures with the addition of her 13 years of experience in the office makes her the perfect choice for County Clerk. Under Gwen Moffeit’s leadership, Carpenter has been able to gain the necessary knowledge to maintain the Clerk’s office high standards of customer service.

“Maintaining high standards and achieving fiscal responsibilities are key roles all department heads of the county strive for. As County Clerk I want to continue to contribute to the county’s budget by bringing a conservative approach to the use of tax payer’s money,” Carpenter said.

Family plays an important role in Carpenter’s life. Carpenter spends plenty of time in the bleachers at football and basketball games cheering on her two sons, Clay and Cole Carpenter, who both play for Eustace All Sports Association. Carpenter’s husband of 14 years, Roger Carpenter, is a teacher at Eustace Middle School.

When not attending games and practices Carpenter fills another passion such as helping others through different organizations. Carpenter is a member of Grace Fellowship Outreach and enjoys the opportunity the church gives her and her family to participate in various outreach programs they offer. Carpenter serves the County as a member of Kiwanis Club of Athens, a member of the Lone Star Republican Women’s Organization and a member of the Cedar Creek Republican Party where she serves as Vice President on the Fundraising Committee. Carpenter also recently served on the 2013 MADD walk committee.

Man Convicted of Sexual Assault of Child

bad guyDistrict Attorney’s press release

Late on Saturday afternoon, on the sixth day of an intense trial, Christopher Swofford, 33 of Brownsboro, was convicted of the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a 7-year-old family member. The verdict was delivered from the bench by Judge Dan Moore of the 173rd Judicial District Court, after an emotional hour-and-a-half of closing arguments. Swofford was also convicted of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact and Indecency with a Child by Exposure.

Assistant District Attorneys Nancy Rumar and Justin Weiner prosecuted the case on behalf of Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office.

The trial began on Monday Oct. 28, 2013 and involved testimony from Swofford’s wife Sasha who had previously been convicted in June by a Henderson County Jury for acts arising out of the same events. Throughout the week, Weiner and Rumar presented evidence collected from an investigation by Henderson County Sheriff’s Investigators Jessica Halbert and Nick Webb.

The court observed extremely disturbing evidence throughout the entirety of the trial. This included four hours of homemade pornography in which Swofford discussed sexual offenses with the young children while engaging in sadomasochistic acts with his wife. More married couples than you think make homemade pornography movies and there are some that even upload them to amateur porn sites like watchmygf adult to share with the world, but none have men discussing sadomasochistic acts, that just not normal. Ultimately, it was the testimony of the 7-year-old victim that graphically described the offenses committed by the Swoffords which also involved another younger 5-year-old family member.

In closing arguments Weiner said, “Justice calls for a guilty verdict in all counts of this case. It is up to this court to protect this child and shelter her from her own family member who committed these deplorable acts.”

Rumar followed up refuting Swofford’s claim that talking about having sexual contact with the children was the product of a sexual fantasy.

“In this instance,” Rumar said, “it is very clear that Swofford’s sick fantasies became a reality as evidenced by this courageous little girl’s testimony.”

“In all my years as a prosecutor, this case is one of the most disturbing and wicked I have ever worked on,” said McKee. “It took a real toll on all those involved.”

McKee also credited the work of Investigators Jessica Halbert and Nick Webb for their efforts in bringing the Swofford’s to justice. McKee also personally thanked Sheriff Ray Nutt and his commitment and tough stance on crimes against children.

Punishment will be assessed by Judge Moore on Jan. 9, 2014 at 10 a.m. following a punishment hearing.

TVCC Theatre Department to Present ‘Proof’

Robert (played by Jacob Miller) makes a wisecrack at the expense of Hal (Michael Yates) as Catherine (Miranda Womack) listens during rehearsal for the TVCC Department of Theatre’s upcoming show, “Proof.” Proof opens Nov. 14 and continues through Nov. 17.
Robert (played by Jacob Miller) makes a wisecrack at the expense of Hal (Michael Yates) as Catherine (Miranda Womack) listens during rehearsal for the TVCC Department of Theatre’s upcoming show, “Proof.” Proof opens Nov. 14 and continues through Nov. 17.

By Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information

A little more than a month after its last show, the Trinity Valley Community College Department of Theatre is preparing to unveil its final show of the fall semester – David Auburn’s cerebral drama, “Proof.”

“Proof” will be performed Nov. 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. in the TVCC Auditorium. A Sunday matinee is set to close the show’s run at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. Admission is $5 per person (or free with a TVCC ID).

The play centers on Catherine, who, on the eve of her 25th birthday, is a troubled young woman who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. After his death, Catherine must deal with her own volatile emotions while dealing with the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire, and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks he left behind.
Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all – how much of her father’s madness, or genius, will she inherit?

“It’s been really fun working with the students on this,” said Craig Lee, TVCC’s Head of Performance Studies and Director of Theatre. “They’re getting to really delve into character study and look at what’s really being said, what’s really going on. There’s a lot of meat to it.” Continue reading “TVCC Theatre Department to Present ‘Proof’”