County-Henderson County Now

Burglar Given four 30-Year Sentences

District Attorney’s Office press release

Joshua Shapley, 31, of Chandler was sentenced to four concurrent 30 year sentences in the Texas Department of Corrections today in the 392nd District Court of Henderson County by District Judge Carter Tarrance. Assistant District Attorneys Jenny Palmer and Daniel Cox prosecuted the case for Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office.

The convictions stem from several burglaries that occurred during the spring of 2013. During one burglary, deputies with the Henderson County Sherriff’s Department were dispatched to a home that had been broken into off of Anderson County Road 3030. The owner of the home had left for work and returned home to find that her home had been ransacked and her television, a shotgun, and jewelry had been stolen. Several hours later Trooper Folmar with the Texas Department of Public Safety noticed during a traffic stop that Shapley was in possession of several items matching the description of the items taken. In addition, Henderson County investigators were notified by Smith County detectives that Shapley had confessed to several other burglaries where tools, flatware, jewelry, guns, and other items had been stolen.

Assistant District Attorney Jenny Palmer credited the work of law enforcement who worked through multi-agency cooperation to make sure that Shapley was taken off the streets of Henderson County.

Shapley had prior convictions for drug offenses and a conviction for federal firearms violations. Shapley was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

First Assistant District Attorney Mark Hall credited the work of the agencies that collaborated to catch and successfully prosecute Shapley.

“District Attorney McKee and I are very pleased with the sentences in these cases,” said Hall. “Most burglars don’t limit their crimes to one county. Sheriff Nutt and our DAs office have successfully worked with other agencies over the past five years to break up many burglary rings and put away career criminals such as Shapley. I’m extremely proud of the work in this case.”

County Attorney’s Report for 2013

The County Attorney, Clint Davis, reported the following activity in the disposition of cases filed through his office during the year of 2013 in the County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2.

Abuse of Official Capacity 1
Accident involving damage to vehicle >$200 3
Assaults 142
Attempt to Commit Abandon/Endanger Child w/ Intent to Return 1
Attempt to commit burglary of coin operated machine 1
Attempt to Commit Theft >$1500<=$20K 1
Boating While Intoxicated 10
Burglary of Vehicle 26
Burn Ban 1
City Ordinance Violation 1
Consumption of Alcohol by Minor 1
Criminal Mischief <$50 1 Criminal Mischief >$50<=$500 33 Criminal Mischief >$500<=$1500 15 Criminal Trespass 46 Cruelty to Animals 4 Cruelty to Livestock Animals 4 Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals 2 Deadly Conduct 4 Deceptive Trade Practice 1 Defective Required Equipment 1 Disorderly Conduct 2 Display Fictitious License Plate 3 Disregard No Passing Zone 1 Disregard Red Light 5 Driving under the influence/minor 4 Driving While Intoxicated 229 Driving While Intoxicated/open alch Container 25 Driving While Lic. Suspended/Invalid 14 Driving W/lic in v w/ pre/conv/susp w/o fin res 137 Duty on Striking Fixture/Highway Landscape 3 Escape from Custody 4 Evading Arrest Detention 51 Expired DL 1 Expired Insp. Sticker 7 Expired Vehicle Registration 3 Fail Drug Test Falsification Device 2 Fail To Appear 11 Fail to Control Speed 1 Fail To Display Driver’s License 1 Fail To Drive In A Single Lane 1 Fail To Give Half Of Roadway 1 Fail to Identify Fugitive from Justice 4 Fail to Identify Fugitive/intent give false info 21 Fail to Identify Giving False/fictitious Info 7 Fail to Report Change of Address 3 Fail to Show Proof of Financial Resp. 8 Fail to Signal (Lane Change) 1 Fail to Stop (stop sign/intersection) 3 Fail To Stop And Give Info 1 Fail to Yield Right of Way 1 False Alarm or Report 1 False Drug Test Falsification Device 4 False Report to Police Officer 6 Fictitious/Counterfeit Insp/Ins Doc for Display 4 Fleeing Police Officer 2 Forge Alter Prescription 0 Fraud Destroy Removal Concealment Writing 1 Harassment 9 Harboring Runaway Child 1 Hinder Appreh./Prosec. 5 Hinder Proceedings by Disorderly Conduct 1 Hunting Provisions Violated 2 Illegal dumping>5lbs. Improper DL for Type Vehicle 1
Indecent Exposure 2
Injury to Child/Elderly/Disabled 1
Interfere w/ Emergency Call 13
Interfere w/ Public Duties 6
Keeping a Gambling Place 2
Minor in Possession of Alcoholic Beverage 2
Minor in Possession of Tobacco 1
Misc Class C 1
Misc. Lic/Registr/Permit Violation 1
Muffler Violation 1
No Driver’s License 2
No Liability Ins 1
No Motorcycle Operator’s License 1
Obstruction or Retaliation 1
Open Container in motor Vehicle 2
Operate Motor Vehicle w/o Financial Responsibility 2
Organize Retail Theft 11
Permit Consumption of AB during Suspension 1
Possession Dangerous Drug 22
Possession Marij 2<=4 oz. 7
Possession CS PG 2-A Possession CS PG 3=$50<$500 122 Theft Prop>=$500>$1500 41
Theft of Service >=$20<$500 2 Theft of Service >$500>$1500 19
Traffic Offense 1
Transport Liquor to a Dry Area 2
Unlawful carrying weapon 10
Unlawful Restraint 2
Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument 3
Unrestrained Child Under Four 1
Unsafe Speed 1
Viol. Of Driver’s License Rest. 4
Violate Promise To Appear 5
Violation Of Clean Air Act 5
Viol of Protective Order 15
Violate Restriction on Occupational DL 1
Wrong fict/Altered/Obscure Veh Registration 1

Total number of dispositions for the year 2404
Total amount of fines and court costs assessed $1,151,709.60
Number of Individuals sentenced to the Henderson County Jail 1031
Number of Individuals who have had their probation revoked and were sentenced to the Henderson County Jail 136
Amount of restitution collected & returned to merchants by the Hot Check Division $ 134,247.13
Open Records Request 144

Milton Adams to run for Pct. 4 JP

Milton Adams press release

Judge Milton K. Adams announces that he has placed his name on the ballot for Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 in the March 4, 2014, Republican Primary.

Adams has been service as a justice of the peace in Henderson County since being elected JP Precinct 6 in 1995.

“I have committed myself to honor the confidence that the people have given me these five terms in office,” Adams said. “The record shows that I have consistently answered calls during all times of the day or night for these may years. With the help of some outstanding clerks, we have provided an efficient and fair court process and experience.

Adams believes the JP court can impact the general public on an intimate and personal level.

“A justice of the peace court is called the People’s Court because of this immersion in people’s lives and events,” Adams said. “It is important that attributes such as experience, professionalism and compassion be examined when you fill these positions.

Adams is a fourth generation citizen of Henderson County citizen. He graduated from Trinity Valley Community College in 1990 and attended the University of Texas at Tyler. He has certificates in paralegal studies and legal research from UTT and from the Kilgore Police Academy. Adams also has obtained a legal research software of study in dispute meditation from Dispute Mediation Services in Dallas.

Other classes Adams has completed include Medico Legal Investigation of Death, offered by the Wayne State University School of Medicine and 19 years of continuing education from Southwestern University.

Adams has more than 30 years employment within the criminal justice field, which includes work with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and as a Sergeant of Correctional Officers for the state of Texas. He is formerly the owner of Adams Bail Bonding, fugitive apprehension services and paralegal services, Adams also owned and operated remodeling and home improvement businesses in the county area. Adams was chief jailer and deputy sheriff during Charlie Fields tenure as county sheriff

Adams has complemented his work experience with time volunteering with community involvement in several organizations. He has been recognized twice, in 2001 and 20013 as a recipient of Hope Award from the East Texas Crisis Center for combating domestic violence and helping victims of domestic violence and violent crimes. In the four years that the Athens Daily Review included the category “Best Public Official” in its annual “Best of” section, Adams was honored twice. The readers chose Adams in 2000 and 2002.

“Thank you for your support and thanks, but political campaign contributions will not be excepted,” Adams said. “My phone number is 903-675-5505 for inquiry or signs.”

January is School Board Recognition Month

January is school board recognition month in Texas, a time set aside to remember the men and women across the state who donate countless hours to service at our public schools.

As the Texas Association of School Boards‘ Executive Director, James B. Crow, said:

“Please join me in recognizing the service of local boards as they strive for excellence in our public schools. The long hours and enormous responsibilities of school board service often are not visible to those who may not fully understand the challenges facing public education. Yet, these local trustees embrace hard work as they demonstrate compassion and concern for the success and well being of every Texas student. They work closely with parents and educators to develop sound education policies in their districts and set high standards for student success.”

“In communities across the state, school board members willingly step forward to tackle serious issues, deal with financial uncertainties, and still provide excellent education experiences for all of our children. We urge every community to thank local board members and support them as they tackle this important job. Join us in applauding them for making the time to care about the future of Texas schoolchildren, their local communities, and this state,” he said.

The following serve on school boards in Henderson County:

Athens: President Rob Risko, Vice President David Freeman, Secretary Robert Spears, Eric Smith, Ginger Kirk, Steve McElhany, and Alicea Elliott.

Brownsboro: Wes Johnston, Michele Rinehart, Michele Blackmon, Brian Bersano, Steve Sanders, Jeffery Fulgham, and Scott Williams.

Cross Roads: President Scott Huddleston, Vice President Darren Himes, Secretary Keith Pryor, Shelly Robertson, Dr. Russell Giles, Scott McCurley and Larry Scoggin.

Eustace: President Gary Walsh, C.D. (Sonny) Hodge II, Bobby K. Ashton, Vice President Michael Cates, Secretary Ashley McKee,and Billy (Cotton) Walker.

LaPoynor: President Keith Bristow, Vice President Richard “Bubba” Holcomb, Shaun Hanks, Bryan Forester, Ryan Reynolds, Stan McCurley, and Kyle Riley.

Mabank: President Kenneth Odom, Vice President Dr. Darrell Kinnard, Secretary Mike Cathey, Tyson Johnson, Todd Grimes, Dr. Jeff Gaddis, and Gary Sapp.

Malakoff: Gary Woolverton, Todd LaRue, Daymon Sims, Mike Monroe, Billy Sparks, Jason Darymple, and Rick Vieregge.

Murchison: President Donald Goines, Vice President Lloyd Smith, Nelda Tillison, Secretary Sheryl Sims, Mike Davis, Nancy McCall, and Gayla Roberts.

Trinidad: President Eric Airheart, Vice President Ricky Stanfield, Billy Hornbuckle, Mike Airheart, Bill Tart, Brian Snider, and Secretary Dennis Parker.

HCRSPA Christmas meeting

HCRSPA

At the December meeting of the Henderson County Retired School Professionals, members enjoyed a wonderful Christmas program presented by the Athens High School Show Choir led by Kern Railsback. After a Christmas luncheon the choir sang Christmas songs and led the group in some old favorites. The Christmas spirit was shared by all.