District Attorney’s Office press release
On Feb. 4, 2014, Norman Wade Yoes, 50, of Tatum, Texas, was sentenced to serve two concurrent terms in the Texas Department of Corrections of 12 years and 10 years for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. These sentences were handed down by Judge Carter Tarrance of the 392nd Judicial District Court after a punishment hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
On Feb. 7, 2013 Yoes was pulled over in a car by Deputy Kenny Collard of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. During the course of the traffic stop, Deputy Collard discovered that Mr. Yoes was in possession not just of methamphetamine, but also ingredients and tools to cook methamphetamine. Among these ingredients and supplies were two boxes of Sudafed, alkaline batteries, coffee filters, turkey basters, latex gloves, digital scales, hoses, funnels, measuring spoons, and a recipe for how to cook methamphetamine. Mr. Yoes was promptly arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.
While out on bond for the Possession charge, Mr. Yoes was also arrested for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon after he was discovered living in a home with numerous firearms and high-quality ar 15 laser and scopes. During questioning by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, he admitted that one of the guns was his. He was then re-arrested and charged with this second offense.
Mr. Yoes pled guilty to Judge Tarrance in December of 2013, and elected to have punishment assessed by the Court. That punishment hearing was held before Judge Tarrance on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. Assistant District Attorneys Daniel Cox and Jenny Palmer presented evidence to the Court of Mr. Yoes’s extensive criminal history, including previous convictions for possession of methamphetamine and a previous conviction for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine with a firearm.
Additionally, Deputy Collard, who made the traffic stop that led to the Possession arrest, testified to the ingredients and tools found in the car, and how those supplies and ingredients are often used to cook methamphetamine. Deputy Collard also testified that based on his training and experience as a police officer, it was his belief that Mr. Yoes was about to begin cooking and producing more methamphetamine.
Even with his extensive criminal history, Yoes was probation eligible by law. His attorney vigorously argued for probation and a rehab facility. In his closing arguments to the Court, Assistant District Attorney Cox asked the Court to sentence Yoes to prison for contributing to the methamphetamine trade and to not consider probation. Judge Tarrance sentenced Mr. Yoes to 12 years on the possession case and 10 years in prison on the firearm case.
“We are very pleased with the prison sentence handed down by Judge Tarrance in this case,” said District Attorney Scott McKee. McKee also praised the work of the officers in the case and his prosecutors in their handling of the case.