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August 6, 2025 - Shelby County Juvenile Probation has taken its first step to ultimately becoming one department with First Judicial District Juvenile Probation Department (1st JD) out of Jasper.
Following a presentation during a special meeting of the Shelby County Juvenile Board held at 2:30pm on Monday, August 4, 2025, a motion was made by Jim Payne, 273rd Judicial District Judge, and was seconded by LeAnn Kay Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge, for the two departments to enter into a service merger agreement by way of an interlocal agreement with the intention of working toward becoming one department.
Additionally, as part of the motion, Judge Payne also moved to appoint Edeska Barnes to oversee the Shelby County Corrections Department.
The motion carried with County Judge Allison Harbison also voting in favor.
Edeska Barnes, Jasper Juvenile Probation Department Director, gave the initial presentation during the meeting to the judges.
Two options were presented to the board for consideration with “Option 1” being a Full Merger:
- Two departments would merge as one department
- Two separate Boards would merge and act as one J Board
- Two budgets would be integrated into one budget
- Appoint a Director/Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
- Requires Legislative Action (2 years)
The decision the board went with, “Option 2” which is titled the Service Merger:
- Two departments would remain as separate departments
- Boards and Budget would remain separate and continue to operate independently
- Appoint a Director/Chief Juvenile Probation Officer to oversee both departments
- Draft an Interlocal Agreement to describe the shared services
- Can apply for Grant(s) as a Region
- Legislative Action is not required (can begin immediately)
Barnes described the 1st JD board being made up of seven judges including three district judges and four county judges. He also named and described several current employees of the 1st JD Probation Department, as well as partnerships with 12 cities/communities; 12 school districts; 20+ school resource officers; eight school police departments; six city police departments, and four sheriff departments.
According to Barnes, shared programs between the departments would be Equine Assisted Learning, Mental Health Assistance Program (HAP), Sex Offender Counselor, male officer available to assist with transports when possible, Chief Financial Officer regarding the budget, GPS monitoring for youth, expanded collaboration between the school districts and other agencies in the county and juvenile probation, application for a Juvenile Probation/Truancy Officer for Shelby and San Augustine Counties, and a Director.
“We had this past summer seven equine summer camps across the district. We do have a vape program in Jasper Independent School District. We're hoping to spread this into the Buna school district and have been in contact with that superintendent and also in the Newton ISD school district,” said Barnes. “We have a substance abuse program in Sabine ISD, this is in Hemphill, Judge [Daryl] Melton has offered some funds to pay for that where it’s used to identify the need of substance abuse treatment.”
Barnes provided financial figures for placement costs between Shelby County and 1st JD as a comparative and according to the data he presented, Total Placement Costs Including Regionalization Funding for the two departments showed in 2024 Shelby County at $171,153.84 and 1st JD at $164,288.06; and currently in 2025 Shelby County at $63,574.19 and 1st JD at $193,454.28.
Placement - demographics and cost data was also supplied by Barnes and it showed that in 2024 three juveniles were placed in Shelby County while in 1st JD four were placed and in 2025 (September 1, 2024 through July 9, 2025) five juveniles were placed in Shelby County and six were placed in 1st JD.
Placement costs to the department in Shelby for 2024 showed almost $54,000 and 1st JD almost $80,000 while 2025 (September 1, 2024 through July 9, 2025) has Shelby at around $47,000 and 1st JD just over $126,000.
Barnes explained these expenses to each department are not reimbursed.
“All placement cost for the most part is to the department and this is money that I paid out that I get no return on, there’s no reimbursement or there is no payback this is just what it cost,” said Barnes.
Judge Harbison indicated that Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, had some questions for Barnes and Porterfield shared he had been briefed on some of the matter by County Attorney John Price.
“I'm kind of curious a little bit about the compensation for services, and I believe that Attorney Price explained how much that would be. So I just want to give you some information. Maybe you could expand on that a little bit. As you know, a large part of our state granting goes to a large part, or a large percentage of our state funding, I'm sure yours is the same, goes for salaries and benefits. With that being said, of our state funding, only about $90,000, actually goes to our program services. So, with that being said, the compensation for services will take about a third of that money.
“You've already elaborated on the services, the additional that you can provide. You’ve elaborated on additional regional funding, but maybe you can elaborate a little bit about how we can make this $30,000 amount up, because that's I believe what the service amount would be, as far as funding and services or programs. And I'm gathering that that would be paid out of our state money.”
Barnes explained there is the option to pay it out of state or the option to pay it out of local or a combination. He described some past years (2022-2023) where some funds in Shelby County were sent back to the state. Barnes suggested some future possibilities with grant funding that could be beneficial.
“It would be my job to look at each individual that comes through the door and see what best service I can get for that child that’s going to keep the public safe, give that kid services and also be of less cost,” said Barnes.
With no additional items for the board to consider, the meeting was adjourned at 3:43pm.
August 6, 2025 - Sheriff's Department locates Nguyen.
August 5, 2025 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information on a missing female, from Shelby County.
Trang Nguyen, 47, was last seen on August 3, 2025 at 6211 State Highway 87N Center, Tx.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 936-598-5601.
August 1, 2025 - Commissioner Roscoe McSwain has indicated traffic cones will remain at the site of repair on CR 1490 until Saturday morning, August 2, 2025. Travelers are advised to continue to use caution through this area. It is down to one lane of travel.
July 31, 2025 - (Update:) - Alert! Commissioner McSwain advises CR 1490 will be closed from 12pm to 3pm today Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the intersection of CR 1450 and CR 1490 for repairs. Drivers should use an alternate route as the road will be blocked!
July 30, 2025 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, alerts the public that there is a sinkhole on CR 1490 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Driver’s are encouraged to use caution.
July 31, 2025 - Center Fire Department was dispatched to a car fire on Monday, July 28, 2025, at around 4:45pm in the 1000 block of FM 2974 (Upper Arcadia Road).
When the firefighters arrived, the interior of a white 2014 Hyundai Elantra was fully involved in flames and the fire was quickly extinguished after the firefighters drenched the fire in water.
According to the Center Fire Department, the owner had witnessed light smoke coming from the dashboard after parking, but it had stopped before she exited the vehicle. A family member witnessed that the Hyundai on fire and alerted the owner.
The cause of the fire was undetermined.
July 31, 2025 - I announce my resignation from the District Clerk’s Office effective August 1, 2025. For a little over twenty years now, it has been my privilege to have served you, the people of Shelby County and the many visitors who came into your District Clerk’s Office.
I have made life long friends and met a multitude of colorful people that I will never forget! There are those that may say that I too, have become one of those colorful people. And, they may be right!
The memories - good, bad, funny and sad, I wouldn’t trade for anything and I will keep them with me forever. So many of you have played a significant role in my time here.
Through the Russian Ransomware and demand for bitcoin - talking with the Rangers and FBI , the creek document retrieval (“watch that bull, he’ll getcha”), the 4th Horseman who is here to open the seal, “Witch! You don’t know me! I’m the TV star!” (Except 'witch' is not really what she called me.)
Then, there was… ”This is CNN, we are at the Shreveport airport. Can you tell us about how long it will take us to get to your office,” and all of the law enforcement agencies that went along with it. The Church of the Spaghetti Monsters was a new one to me. I could go on, and on.
Someone once told me their pastor reminds them that what goes down a well, comes up in a bucket. Just take what resonates.
Be honest, you thought my job was boring; going into it, I thought it would be too. Just the keeper of the record - a bunch of paper files. Little did we know…
It truly has been my honor to have served you and I thank you for the opportunity.
Lori Oliver
Former District Clerk Of Shelby County, Texas
July 30, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners accepted the resignation of Josh Tipton from the position of Constable Precinct 5 during their meeting held July 30, 2025.
A letter was submitted to County Judge Allison Harbison via email from Josh Tipton resigning his position as constable for precinct 5 and Judge Harbison stated it was effective Friday, July 25, 2025.
An executive session was held later in the meeting and when the commissioners returned to open session John Price, County Attorney, stated with regard to the acceptance of the resignation of Constable Josh Tipton incidental to that resignation is a Nolle Prosequi agreement that went with it and Price submitted it as part of the record. Price asked the commissioners to approve acceptance of that document and make it part of the total file with regard to Tipton's resignation and acceptance of the same.
According to the Nolle Prosequi (not prosecute) agreement, it was reached between Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney, on behalf of the State of Texas and Josh Tipton, Shelby County Precinct 5 Constable, on the charge of tampering with evidence.
Constable Tipton shall surrender his Peace Officer’s license and agreed he will not at any time in the future seek public office in the state of Texas, per the agreement to not prosecute.
The agreement was signed by Karren Price, Josh Tipton and witnessed by Texas Ranger James Hicks on July 22, 2025.
July 25, 2025 - A Shelby County Grand Jury delivered 12 indictments on Monday, July 21, 2025. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2025 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Luther Isaiah Glenn was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 30, 2023, Glenn threatened Christefer Deromus Bell with imminent bodily injury by shooting at the said victim and used or exhibited a .380 Glock handgun, during commission of the assault. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Jayme Soto was indicted for organized retail theft >=$2,500 <$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on February 5, 2025, Soto intentionally conducted an activity in which Soto possessed stolen retail merchandise, to-wit: Texas Lottery Tickets by scratching off tickets that were not paid for while working for Timpson Quick Stop, Inc., and the total value of the merchandise involved in the activity was $2,500 or more but less than $30,000. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Reginald Eugene Belinoski was indicted for failure to comply with sex offender registration, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 6, 2024, while knowing that he was required to register under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure because of reportable conviction based upon aggravated sexual assault of a child Belinoski, after having established a new online identifier not already included on Belinoski's sex offender registration form, failed to comply with a requirement of Chapter 62. The indictment alleges Belinoski failed to report in to the primary registration authority, namely, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Belinoski failed to report the establishment within seven days from the change. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Christopher Lamar Pleasant was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, third degree felony (punishment enhancement - 2nd degree 2-20 years). The indictment alleges, on March 16, 2025, while knowing that an official proceeding of a warrant service was in progress Pleasant concealed methamphetamine with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the official proceeding. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Johnny Ray Taylor was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 25, 2025, Taylor used a vehicle to intentionally flee from Officer Aaron Jones, a person Taylor knew was a peace officer who was attempting lawfully to arrest or detain him. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Peyton James Hathaway was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 13, 2025, while knowing that an investigation was pending through an attempted traffic stop Hathaway destroyed or concealed a paper sack containing approximately 10 vape pens, with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Peyton James Hathaway was indicted for evading arrest with a motor vehicle, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on January 13, 2025, while using a vehicle Hathaway intentionally fled DPS Sgt. Aaron Shelton, a person Hathaway knew was a peace officer who was attempting to lawfully arrest or detain Hathaway. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Jatiea Markvia Yarbrough was indicted for hindering apprehension or prosecution, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 19, 2025, Yarbrough did then and there with intent to hinder the arrest of Droxius Dewhart under the authority of a warrant or capias, provided or aided in providing Dewhart with the means to avoid arrest, namely, conceal his location and provide false or misleading information to law enforcement about where he was currently located. (273rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Alvin Jerome Davis, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (Punishment enhancement - 3rd degree)(July 7, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Jorge Velazquez, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (September 16, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Blake Bostick, felony driving while intoxicated, third degree felony (third degree felony). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Christopher Lamar Pleasant, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=200G<400G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (Punishment enhancement - Life or 15-99 years) (February 18, 2024). (123rd 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.
July 24, 2025 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jeremiah Davis, 20, of Center on June 4, 2025 on two counts of online solicitation of a minor, felony 3. Davis was identified as a "youth leader" in a Texas Ranger affidavit.
Affidavits relating to the arrest of Jeremiah Davis, who was 20 at the time, for two counts of online solicitation of a minor have been released after a 30-day seal.
Both affidavits relate to two separate alleged victims and both affidavits allege intent on Davis’ part to possess child pornography, and intentionally distribute through a commercial online service in a sexually explicit manner, namely exchanging photographs of sexual organs through Snapchat.
Davis was interviewed at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department on March 27, 2025, and according to the affidavit he waived his Miranda warnings.
Five explicit conversations with each minor are alleged and when he was asked during interview if he had requested photographs from the minors, the affidavits allege Davis stated he encouraged it.
One alleged victim was interviewed on March 14, 2025 at the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (SCCAC) by a forensic interviewer and she advised Davis she was 16 years old. The affidavit alleges Davis asked to have sex with her, but she responded by saying she was waiting for marriage. Davis is then alleged to have asked that she send him a photograph revealing “more of herself,” then he would know he could trust her because she would get in trouble with the police as well.
Following more alleged persistence on the part of Davis, the complainant then sent sexually explicit photographs to Davis. Davis also is alleged to have then sent equally sexually explicit photographs. This exchange was alleged to have taken place in December 2024.
During his interview, Davis stated the 16-year-old told him via Snapchat that she was 17 years old and Davis stated to her that he wasn’t comfortable with her age, that he was not interested in a relationship, and that he was just having fun.
The other alleged victim was 14 years old at the time of the alleged incidents, and on April 1, 2025, she was interviewed at the SCCAC by a forensic interviewer, and she stated she was 14 years old when she exchanged photographs with Davis via Snapchat. The 14-year-old stated Davis had solicited photographs of a sexual nature of herself first, and then he sent photos of a sexual nature of himself in response.
Davis was arrested on June 4, 2025, at 8:03am for two charges of online solicitation of a minor, felony 3. According to the Shelby County jail log, he was released at 11:30am and has bonds of $15,000 for each charge totaling $30,000.
Update: As of 1:28pm, the email issue has been resolved.
July 24, 2025 - Shelby County Today has been unable to access its email account - sctoday@att.net except for a short time this morning. When trying to access the email a message is displayed: "We are experiencing some technical difficulties." A statement from Yahoo Mail server advises they are currently working to resolve the issue.
Yahoo's Statement: "We are aware some users are experiencing issues accessing their Yahoo Mail, or displaying their mailbox. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience as our engineers work to remedy this concern."
Ricky King sworn into City of Center Chief of Police position for the Center Police Department at the beginning of April 2025.
July 16, 2025 - Just over 100 days into a new chapter for the Center Police Department has seen changes in promotions and organization.
At the beginning of April, the City of Center Municipal Court Judge Grover Russell performed an official swearing in ceremony for Ricky King as the new Chief of Police for the City of Center's Police Department following the retirement of Chief Jim Albers.
With his wife, Denny, by his side, King recited the pledge of office, “I, Ricky King, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Chief of Police of the City of Center, Texas and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this State so help me God.”
Chief Ricky King began his career with the Center Police Department in December 2003, after his graduation from the Angelina College Police Academy. King started as a patrol officer, working all four patrol shifts, in 2006 he was promoted to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), where his primary responsibility was investigation of crimes against children. After two years in CID, Detective King was tasked with starting the first narcotics investigation unit for the Center Police Department, where he worked in the undercover capacity for several years. In 2010 he obtained his SWAT training and held the position of SWAT Commander. Officer King was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2012, becoming responsible for the supervision of a patrol shift and the narcotics division. In 2022, King was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and commanded the patrol and criminal investigation divisions. In April of 2024, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief responsible for budgeting and the operations of all staff of the department.
Chief King advised his wants and goals are to provide the officers with the equipment and training that's necessary to do the job in an environment that demands professionalism and transparency. He shared, “We're going to be an agency that the citizens know and trust, and they can come and talk to us and they know that we're going to do the right thing.”
Police Chief King spoke about his predecessor, Jim Albers. He recalled when Albers first came to Center and the concern the department had with an unknown coming in. With an overall feeling of relief at the department he described, “We got a guy that cared about the people that worked for him. He created right off the bat, a family environment. It was so obvious. I think that makes our agency different than others because when officers come here, that are from a different agency, they instantly see that family mentality environment, and it's almost impossible to leave. I credit him for that. He brought that here, and I intend to continue it.
“Albers was a good leader. I was a detective, and at the time, really all I knew was how to investigate narcotics cases. I loved it, and that's all I wanted to learn how to do. He turned me into an administrator and it was a long process. It's different. It's a total different job than what I had. But I appreciate what he did for us and it was difficult to see him leave.”
From left: Lt. Andrew Williams, Lt. Billy Lusk, Sgt. Donna Ruppert, and Chief Ricky King
Seven weeks into Chief Kings leadership, the first set of promotions were done. “With new leadership comes new ideas, goals, and structures, and commitments. I had a few years to think about what I thought would be the best thing to do moving forward and what was the highest in priority. I started with the department structure, we have a solid foundation in patrol and we had good supervision but I wanted a little more.
“This move ensures that we’ll have 24/7 supervision and creating the opportunity for leadership roles to focus solely on their divisions. The leaders that we chose to captain this ship determines success or failure on my part and I have no doubt in the people that we chose to do this.”
Lieutenant Andrew Williams spoke about the structural changes, “We wanted to divide the house. Have a lieutenant over patrol and an administrative lieutenant to handle CID (Criminal Investigative Division) and to assist the chief in day to day activities and operations. Well, we still needed one more sergeant.” He then announced the promotion of Donna Ruppert to sergeant and Billy Lusk to lieutenant over Patrol. Both have helped to move the new vision for the department forward. “I don’t think we could have picked two better people to take over these new leadership roles in our agency.” Lieutenant Williams had the honor to pin on the new Sergeant badge for Ruppert. Chief King had the honor to pin on the new Lieutenant badge and bars for Lusk.
From left: Lt. Andrew Williams, Chief Administrative Assistant Amy Lindley, Municipal Court Administrator Donna Dugger, Detective Garrett Rocchi, Dispatch Supervisor Charlene Jackson, and Chief Ricky King
Additional recognitions and changes made included Charlene Jackson promoted from dispatcher to Dispatch Supervisor; Donna Dugger moved from Administrative Assistant to Municipal Court Administrator; and Amy Lindley from dispatch to Chief Administrative Assistant.
Chief King started by speaking in regards to Donna Dugger, “I’m proud to announce the new promotions I have filled; some of these recognitions are way overdue. I have a court administrator who has been serving in one capacity or another for over 34 years. Everything from dispatch to administrative assistant, records clerk, TCOLE Compliance, dispatching supervisor, and I believe she even built some case files for detectives for prosecution and did some department scheduling as well - that has turned into about six different jobs here.”
Concerning Charlene Jackson he shared, “I also have a dispatcher who has served for right at 30 years and been part of the backbone of crucial information distribution within this department. This person has shown great leadership skills and a very strong work ethic.”
Next, Chief King spoke about Amy Lindley, “Also, I have a dispatcher who has been here over 20 years, we started at the same time, that has been very helpful with some of Donna’s overloaded work load. She did this without hesitation or any recognition. So, we are here today to do just that - we want to recognize our All-stars.”
Lt. Williams spoke first about Dugger, “So, like the Chief just said, Donna [Dugger] has held just about every position here that doesn’t require a gun and a badge. So, she knows every one of us here. She’s raised Ricky [King] and myself and a lot of the other people here. She took it upon herself to go to the courts, become the Court Clerk I, then obtain her Court Clerk II certifications and licensing and she oversees everything that happens on the court side. There is a lot that goes into that which a lot of the officers don’t know about.”
He then spoke about Jackson and Lindley, “Charlene [Jackson] has stepped up and taken on the supervisory role in communications to assist the day to day workload with Donna which has really helped take some of the stress off Donna but then she added new stress in the courts. And then just recently, Amy [Lindley] has transitioned from her position, dispatch/records clerk, to the administrator for the department. She does everything from keeping the Chief on track, which we all know is a very tough job, but now she gets to keep me on track as well and I get blamed for working her harder than the Chief does.”
In summary, Lt. Williams said, “We couldn’t do it without the three women that we’ve recognized today. They really keep everything on track within the department. Without them, we would be lost.”
The final promotion was Garrett Rocchi from Patrol to Detective. Chief King shared, “This one, because it’s different for me, I was responsible for hiring this officer. I sat on the interview board, I got to ask him questions, and I said ‘Hey, where do you see yourself in five years?’ Most people are like, ‘ugh…’ you know because they are not ready for that question. This guy fresh out of the academy, with no experience whatsoever, didn’t bat an eye and looked at me and said ‘Oh, I’m gonna be a detective’ and I got to watch him achieve that goal today.”
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