Legal-Henderson County Now

County Attorney’s Report for September 2015

County Attorney Clint Davis reported the following activity in the disposition of cases filed through his office during the month of September 2015 in the County Court at Law, County Court at Law No. 2, and County Court:

Total number of dispositions for the month: 101

Total amount of fines and court costs assessed: $71,419.67

Number of Individuals who have had their probation revoked and were sentenced to the Henderson County Jail: 8

Amount of restitution collected & returned to merchants by the Hot Check Divisions: $4,508.60

Open Records Requests: 10

Two Athens residents sentenced for smuggling prescription drugs

Press release

The Department of Justice announced today that two Athens, Texas, residents have been sentenced for their role in the smuggling of imitation, unapproved and misbranded prescription drugs from China. If you ever experience negative side effects after taking prescription drugs then it’s important that you see your doctor about it because you could be consuming fake versions of the drug. Of course, they may be legit and you could end up needing to go to Drug Guardians (https://drugguardians.com/) to help get compensation for these side effects but either way it’s best to go to the doctor.

Tom Giddens, 57, and Wanda Hollis, 63, were each sentenced to serve 15 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Schneider in the Eastern District of Texas. In April 2015, they each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to smuggle the drugs into the United States. A third defendant, Catherine Nix, 42, also of Athens, will be sentenced at a later date.

Continue reading “Two Athens residents sentenced for smuggling prescription drugs”

Mark Hall announces run for district attorney

Press release

First Assistant District Attorney Mark Hall announced that he will be seeking the top spot in the Henderson County D.A.’s office in the upcoming Republican Primary next March. Current District Attorney Scott McKee made his announcement last week that he intends to seek the bench of the 392nd Judicial District Court being vacated by long-time judge Carter Tarrance.

Hall has served as McKee’s First Assistant, supervising a staff of six other attorneys, two investigators and numerous office and court personnel since McKee took office in January 2009, taking the helm on the domestic front during the District Attorney’s deployment to Iraq for most of 2010. When discussing family immigration law in Boston, if the immediate relative entered the U.S. lawfully or was paroled upon proper inspection, the immediate relative will be able to adjust their status within the country. If the immediate relative is outside the U.S. or entered unlawfully, they will have to go through consular processing in their home country. Continue reading “Mark Hall announces run for district attorney”

Scott McKee to run for 392nd District Judge

Press release

Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee announced this week that he will not seek a third term as District Attorney and will instead file for the 392nd District Judge bench in the March 2016 Republican Primary. Current 392nd District Court Judge Carter Tarrance announced earlier this month that he would retire after more than 20 years of service on the bench once his term ends in 2016. Tarrance has held the position since his appointment in 1995 by then Governor George W. Bush.

McKee said it was an emotional decision for his family. “I love this job and the citizens and officers I serve. Judge Tarrance is an excellent judge and will be greatly missed. The toughest part is the thought of not serving as DA after next year. Over the years, I have met so many people and organizations around our county and have been blessed to work with the law enforcement community, Sheriff Ray Nutt and County Attorney Clint Davis in a synchronized fight against crime.” Continue reading “Scott McKee to run for 392nd District Judge”

McKee, Hall prosecute case in Anderson County

Press release

Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee and First Assistant Mark Hall spent last week in Anderson County as special prosecutors representing the citizens of Anderson County in prosecuting an Elkhart man charged with three counts of retaliation.

Rock Allen Conner, 35, of Elkhart was found guilty by an Anderson County jury on all three counts and sentenced to five years in prison Friday after the week-long trial in the 87th District Court with Judge Debra Oakes Evans presiding. Conner faced a punishment range of two to 10 years for the offenses. Conner had never been convicted of a felony prior to the sentencing.

The jury found Conner guilty of all three counts of retaliation on two peace officers and an EMS worker. On the first charge, Conner was convicted of threatening to kill Deputy Donnie Myers Sr. by threatening to slit his throat. On count two, the defendant was convicted of threatening DPS Trooper Leonard Sandifer. Conner’s threats to Sandifer included numerous racial slurs which were captured by videotape from the officers’ in-car videos and a jail video. Conner was also found guilty of threatening Palestine Regional Medical Center EMT Paramedic Matthew Corbin after Corbin tried to provide a medical evaluation of him after being tased. Continue reading “McKee, Hall prosecute case in Anderson County”