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April 14, 2026 - The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office reports that on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 123rd Judicial District Court Judge LeAnn Kay Rafferty presided over an open plea on punishment in a possession of a controlled substance case of methamphetamine greater than four grams. The defendant, Adria Polley, was sentenced for 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division (TDCJ-ID).
The defendant had multiple prior convictions, which included three prior incarcerations in the penitentiary for similar offenses over the course of the last twenty years. The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Stroud. The defendant will be eligible for parole in five years.
“While we would like this sentence to represent a significant period of incarceration, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles simply doesn’t live in the same world we do. This defendant will likely serve significantly less than 10 calendar years on this conviction from the court,” said Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney.
April 13, 2026 - Center Fire Department fought a tree house fire at a residence at the intersection of Crockett and Thomas Streets in Center on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Dark smoke was billowing from the back yard of the residence and could be clearly seen from the opposite side of the Center square.
A small fire in the back yard had gotten out of control and ignited a tree house located in the back yard, and engulfing other items that had been stored beneath the tree house.
The fire was also threatening a storage building not far from the tree house.
Firefighters arrived at the scene at around 5:20pm, neighbors also sought to help while the property owner was trying to put out the fire and kept it from spreading further before the firefighters arrived. Hoses were dragged from the fire truck to the location of the tree house, and firefighters began extinguishing the flames, preventing further spread of the fire.
No injuries were reported and Center Fire Department personnel left the scene at around 5:40pm.
April 13, 2026 - State Highway 87 South just south of the intersection of State Loop 500 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash April 3, 2026.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene of the crash, a pickup truck involved was in the middle of the northbound inside traffic lane and the other involved had come to rest in a fuel station on the northbound side of the roadway.
According to the Center Police Department (CPD), a black 2000 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Ian Keith Mitchell, 33, of Joaquin was traveling northbound on State Highway 87. At that time a silver 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Udersis Bass, 28, of Wiergate was traveling southbound and attempted to turn left into the fuel station. Bass failed to yield right of way to Mitchell and the Dodge collided with the right rear of the Chevrolet, causing damage.
Mitchell and Bass were both transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
No citations were reported to have been issued.
The crash was investigated by CPD Sgt. Bubba Lee.
Additional support units with the Center Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety assisted at the scene.
April 13, 2026 - The reconstruction phase of the customer and employee front parking lots of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street will begin today, April 13th.
The front customer parking lot will be limited during this time. However, there is additional parking in the parking lot behind the Courthouse.
We ask for your patience and understanding during the time of reconstruction which will better serve our customers and overall community.
April 10, 2026 - On Thursday, April 9th, members representing six of Shelby County's seven volunteer fire departments met at Joaquin VFD's Central Station to discuss reaffirming the Shelby County Firefighters Association (SCFFA). The association was originally formed in 1990, with Articles of Incorporation and a set of rules and bylaws drafted, to create an organization to support joint training and mutual aid within the county.
With the hard part already done, the biggest order of business was to re-organize the Board of Directors, which is comprised of the seven fire chiefs, and elect new officers. Officer positions must be filled by the rank and file of the seven departments.
Joaquin VFD Assistant Chief Stephen Ewing was nominated for president of the association, and elected with a majority vote. Huxley VFD Assistant Chief Michael Elliot was elected 1st Vice President, and Timpson Training Officer Tony Acosta was chosen as 2nd Vice President. Tenaha VFD Secretary/ Treasurer Truitt Whitley was elected to serve in the same capacity of the SCFFA.
Ewing led a discussion about the priorities of the association, which were agreed to be funding for the departments, creating a workable mutual aid network, and renewing a focus on joint training efforts. The association, per its bylaws, will meet no less than three times yearly, with the next meeting set for July 9th at Timpson VFD.
April 9, 2026 - A Shelby County Grand Jury delivered 24 indictments on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The grand jury was impaneled for the January 2026 term of the 273rd Judicial District Court.
Doris Dee Snodgrass was indicted for credit card/debit card abuse of the elderly - 5 counts, third degree felony. The indictment alleges in count 1 that, on October 7, 2025, Snodgrass had intent to use a debit card belonging to Mary McCann, namely a Mastercard no. 0155, while not being the cardholder and that she did so without the consent of McCann. It is further alleged Snodgrass committed the theft against McCann, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older. (273rd Judicial District Court)
The indictment alleges in count 2 that, on October 7, 2025, Snodgrass had intent to use a debit card belonging to Nedra Nunley, namely a Mastercard no. 6379, while not being the cardholder and that she did so without the consent of Nunley. It is further alleged Snodgrass committed the theft against Nunley, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older. (273rd Judicial District Court)
The indictment alleges in count 3 that, on October 7, 2025, Snodgrass had intent to use a debit card belonging to Jeffrey Reid, namely a Mastercard no. 1948, while not being the cardholder and that she did so without the consent of Reid. It is further alleged Snodgrass committed the theft against Reid, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older. (273rd Judicial District Court)
The indictment alleges in count 4 that, on October 7, 2025, Snodgrass had intent to use a debit card belonging to Mark Smith, namely a Mastercard no. 5231, while not being the cardholder and that she did so without the consent of Smith. It is further alleged Snodgrass committed the theft against Smith, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older. (273rd Judicial District Court)
The indictment alleges in count 5 that, on October 7, 2025, Snodgrass had intent to use a debit card belonging to Willie McCann, namely a Mastercard no. 8338, while not being the cardholder and that she did so without the consent of McCann. It is further alleged Snodgrass committed the theft against McCann, an elderly individual 65 years of age or older. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Austan Obrien Patton was indicted for assault by choking, third degree felony - punishment enhancement: 25 years to life. The indictment alleges, on June 18, 2025, Patton caused bodily injury to Shaquarious McCollister, a person with whom Patton had or previously had a dating relationship as described in the Texas Family Code. The indictment goes on to allege, Patton impeded the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of McCollister by applying pressure to the throat or neck. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Jose Guadalupe Martinez was indicted for aggravated assault against a public servant, first degree felony. The Indictment alleges, on November 3, 2025, Martinez caused bodily injury to Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy George Watson who was lawfully discharging an official duty. It is further alleged, Martinez knew Deputy Watson was a public servant when he exhibited a deadly weapon, namely, a Toyota Camry. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Jaquerious Lamone Bolden was indicted for burglary of a building, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on June 19, 2025, Bolden entered a building or a portion of a building without the effective consent of Grease Monkey, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed the offense of burglary of a building. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jaterrius Davontae Crowder was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 7, 2025, Crowder used a vehicle to intentionally flee Center Police Officer B. Tyler, a person Crowder knew was a peace officer who was attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Crowder. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Kevin Davis was indicted for burglary of a habitation intending to commit a felony, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 20, 2025, Davis intended to commit the felony offense of assault family violence, and entered a habitation without the consent of Courtney Raeanne Gillard, the owner. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Christopher Matthew Lemoine was indicted for improper relationship between educator and student, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on August 11, 2025, while Lemoine was an employee of Center High School, a public secondary school, he engaged in sexual contact with a person who was enrolled at Center High School by touching the breast of the complainant with the intention of arousal and gratification of his own sexual desire. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Brandon Michael Creson was indicted for online solicitation of a minor, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 16, 2025 Creson, who was 17 years of age or older, intended to commit the offense of aggravated sexual assault and intentionally communicated via text message in a sexually explicit manner with "Emily," an individual Creson believed to be younger than 14 years of age by describing different ways they would engage in sexual intercourse. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Brandon Michael Creson was indicted for possession/access child pornography sex conduct, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 16, 2025, Creson possessed visual material that visually depicted, and which Creson knew visually depicted a child who was younger than 18 years of age at the time the image of the child was made, engaging in sexual conduct, namely actual deviate sexual intercourse. The indictment further alleges that Creson possessed visual material that contained 100 or more, but less than 500 visual depictions of a child, who was engaging in sexual conduct as alleged above. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Eddie LaJarvis Davis, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (August 25, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Carolyn Ann Risken, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (August 25, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Dustin Ray Beard, possession of a controlled substance PG2 (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 8, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Brittany Danielle Benson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 7, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Benjamin Adam Aldaco, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (May 25, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- John Robert Burke, possession of a controlled substance PG2 (tetrahydrocannabinol, other than marijuana), state jail felony (July 3, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Kiyadh Cartwright, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (October 21, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Racheal Denise Coleman, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (June 15, 2025). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Joseph Randell Gipson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (June 15, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Brittany Benson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (November 27, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Eric Jerome Jackson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (phencyclidine), third degree felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree felony (March 31, 2025).
- Toni Kay Jackson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (November 8, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Darron Voncharles McCollister, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (January 13, 2026). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Cacedric Tyrone Ross, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (phencyclidine), third degree felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree felony (March 11, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Kendrick Lamon Teel, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony - punishment enhancement: 2nd degree felony (June 29, 2025). (273rd Judicial District Court)
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
April 8, 2026 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, April 13, 2026 for the 123rd Judicial District Court Honorable LeAnn Kay Rafferty presiding has been cancelled.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
Thank you,
Dee Dee Green
District Clerk
Shelby County, Texas
April 8, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners lifted the burn ban during their April 8, 2026, meeting.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer commented that it seems a lot greener after the most recent rain and a pasture fire seems a lot less likely.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to lift the burn ban and Commissioner Roscoe McSwain offered second to his motion. It carried with all in favor.
Caution was encouraged. County Judge Allison Harbison said that if she begins to receive an influx of calls from volunteer fire departments regarding an excessive amount of fires she can put another ban in place, and the commissioners can consider ratifying that ban.
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April 7, 2026 - The Center Police Department has confirmed the arrest of an individual following a barricaded subject scenario that required a tactical response early in the morning on March 31, 2026.
While Center Police Department officers engaged the situation at a residence on the 800 block of Price Street, Center Fire Department and EMS personnel were staged on Martin Luther King Drive for quick response. Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies also responded to assist.
According to the Center Police Department, officers were dispatched to the disturbance on Price Street at around 3:30am and after officers arrived the situation escalated and it was determined the suspect was armed. This resulted in a SWAT team response at around 4:10am and a brief standoff. The individual eventually was taken into custody without incident by 6:45am.
Timothy Shawn Calhoun
According to Shelby County Jail records Timothy Shawn Calhoun, 45, of Nacogdoches was arrested for terroristic threat against peace officer/judge, state jail felony, $25,000 bond; resist arrest, search or transport, $15,000 bond; aggravated robbery, first degree felony, $50,000 bond.
April 6, 2026 - U.S. Highway 59 at the intersection of Garrison Street in Timpson was the scene of a single-vehicle rollover crash incident on April 2, 2026 at around 2pm.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the location and according to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, Troopers were dispatched to a single-vehicle rollover crash on U.S. Highway 59 in Timpson. Upon arrival at the scene it was determined a red 2015 Chrysler driven by Tytiannah Moore, 29, was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 at an unsafe speed for wet roadway conditions when the vehicle hydroplaned. The Chrysler traveled off the roadway to the right and rolled.
Moore was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for treatment of possible injuries. She was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel assisted at the scene.
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