Shelby County Today

July 6, 2017 - Center Police Department served a narcotics search warrant on the residence of 32-year-old Elisha Remedies and 42-year-old Michael Garrett of Center, Texas on Thursday, June 15, 2017. After a lengthy narcotics investigation Narcotics Detective, David Haley presented his case to Judge Rafferty who issued a search warrant for the couples residence located at 365 Shelbyville Street the location of the Energy Lodge.

Upon searching the residence Detective Haley located over 5 grams of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia used in the sale of the narcotics.

Detective Haley seized the methamphetamines and will be filing seizures on a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche and $1,100 in cash. Elisha Remedies and Michael Garrett were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone Felony One and Possession of a Dangerous Drug Misdemeanor A.

Detective Haley would like to thank The Shelby County District Attorney, Stephen Shires and District Attorney Chief Investigator Joey Haley for their unlimited assistance and support.

If you’re a drug Dealer in Shelby County you’re not safe. You’re Next!

June 30, 2017 - Two vehicles which were traveling in opposite directions on June 25, 2017 were each brought to an abrupt halt when they met with a tree in their respective paths.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, sometime before 9:06pm a 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup truck driven by Rossie Ransom, 78, of Shelbyville with passenger Dawn Murphy, 43, was northbound on FM 2694 when a tree suddenly was in her path and the truck traveled over the tree.

No injuries were reported as a result of their crash.

Directly following that incident, a Chevrolet Cruze driven by Charmenia Adams, 20, of Shelbyville was southbound on FM 2694 and when approaching the tree swerved left as Adams was thinking the lesser portion of the tree was that direction and struck the tree.

ACE EMS responded to the scene and no injuries were reported from either crash.

Adams was issued a citation for no insurance.

TxDOT was dispatched to the location and and they cleared the debris from the roadway. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Gogolewski assisted at the scene.

June 29, 2017 - The Shelby County grand jury for the January Term 2017 of the 273rd Judicial District Court met Tuesday, June 28, 2017 and indicted 41 cases on 29 individuals.

Ka Paw Htoo was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 19, 2017 Htoo caused the death of Ka Yee by stabbing him with a knife. Htoo was also indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date, Htoo recklessly caused bodily injury to Aung Nuing by stabbing him in the back and cutting open his face, Htoo allegedly exhibited a knife during the commission of said assault. (Related article: Center PD Investigates Multiple Stabbing, Murder Incident)

Brenda Lynn Northern was indicted for injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 11, 2017 Northern caused serious bodily injury to Adah Elaine Phillips, an individual 65 years of age or older, by shooting her in the head with a .22 caliber pistol. Northern was also indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date, Northern recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Phillips by threatening to hit and/or hitting her with a claw hammer, and the defendant did then and there use or exhibit a deadly weapon: a claw hammer during commission of said assault. (Related article: Sheriff's Department Arrests Buna Woman After Allegedly Shooting Elderly Person)

Tevin Terrell Garrett was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 13, 2016 Garrett entered a habitation without the consent of Leonard Boehm, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of property. The property included a Stihl chainsaw, Husqvarna chainsaw, Homelite 4300 generator, Troy-built pressure washer, and/or a Brute pressure washer, owned by Boehm. Garrett was also indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 28, 2016 Garrett entered a habitation without the consent of Arvis Moore, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a man's gold ring with the initial "M" on top, man's gold ring with large diamond, man's gold ring with small cluster of diamonds, Dj2-Disc Mixer, and/or one red and blue DJ light owned by Moore.

Lindsay Leann Hughes was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 9, 2016 Hughes entered a habitation without the consent of Teresa Hughes, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a Honda EB 2200X portable generator owned by Hughes. Lindsay Leann Hughes was also indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges Hughes took car batteries valued at $100 or more but less than $750 from Teresa Hughes, the owner, without her consent.

Mistique Sifford was indicted for injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 8, 2016 Sifford caused bodily injury to Linda Pate, an individual 65 years of age or older, by assaulting Pate with her fingernails by scratching Pate and injuring Pate's middle finger. Sifford was also indicted for possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 8, 2016 Sifford possessed methamphetamine in an amount of less than one gram.

Undria Deloris Hall was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 11, 2014 Hall took one 14 carat gold wedding band and one gold colored ring containing one white colored stone valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Thomas Phillip Jones, Jr. without his consent.

Courtney Handlin was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on November 4, 2015 Handlin entered a habitation owned by Ronnie Goings without his consent. The indictment further alleges Handlin attempted to commit or committed theft of a Honda Rubicon 4-wheeler, Cub Cadet zero turn lawn mower, Stihl weed eater, Echo gas leaf blower, Mr. Coffee microwave, Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffee pot, Craftsman 4-drawer tool cabinet, Craftsman 9-drawer tool chest, assorted tools, 30.06 pump rifle with wooden stock and scope, Winchester 30.30 lever action rifle with wooden stock, .22 bolt action rifle, various pots/pans, Huskey air compressor, battery chargers and/or Orion telescope owned by Goings. Handlin was also indicted for prohibited substances in an adult correctional facility, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 21, 2016 Handlin possessed methamphetamine, a controlled substance, while in Shelby County Jail.

Courtney Innis Handlin was indicted for hindering apprehension or prosecution, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 13, 2017 Handlin with intent to hinder the arrest, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of Charles Edwards for the offense of aggravated kidnapping, warned Edwards of impending discovery or apprehension.

Kursti Rae Agnew was indicted on two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictments allege on February 2, 2017 Agnew recklessly, or with criminal negligence, engaged in conduct that placed two children younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment. The indictments further allege Agnew achieved this by falsely reporting an offense to authorities on February 2, 2016 that one of the children had been sexually molested, with similar reports being made on January 31, 2016 and July 25, 2016. It is also alleged in each case the children were coached into giving false statements concerning purported sexual abuse and/or physical abuse allegedly perpetrated against one of the children by a paternal relative.

Landon Yarbrough was indicted for burglary of a habitation, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 10, 2017 Landon Yarbrough entered a habitation without the consent of Corey Yarbrough, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed an assault against Corey Yarbrough.

William Robert King was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on June 4, 2016 King operated a motor vehicle without the consent of Vickie Tomlin, the owner.

Patrick Odell Session was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on February 21, 2016 Session unlawfully appropriated five iPhones valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Wal-Mart with intent to deprive the owner of the property.

Rickye Allen Welton, Jr. was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on April 1, 2016 while Welton knew an official proceeding was in progress (pending arrest for theft) he intentionally or knowingly concealed Oxycodone Hydrochloride with intent to impair the verity, legibility or availability as evidence in the official proceeding by attempting to swallow them.

Gabino Camirillo was indicted for unlawful restraint criminal responsibility for conduct of another, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on October 28, 2016 Camirillo was responsible for the criminal conduct of another, to wit: unlawful restraint in that Camirillo encouraged and/or aided, or attempted to aid Diego Martinez who did then and there intentionally and knowingly by force, intimidation, or deception, restrain David Laboy without his consent by restricting his movements by holding a gun on him. Camirillo was also indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date Camirillo committed said offense with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination consisting of Camirillo, a juvenile, Juan Lara and Diego Martinez. The indictment further alleges the group collaborated in carrying on said criminal activity and conspired to commit aggravated robbery, unlawful restraint and possession of marijuana by agreeing with each other they would engage in conduct that constituted said offense. The indictment continues Camirillo and Martinez performed an overt act in pursuance of said agreement by unlawfully retaining and robbing David Laboy and possessing marijuana in an amount of less than 50 pounds, but more than five pounds.

Camirillo was also indicted for aggravated robbery criminal responsibility for conduct of another, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on October 28, 2016 Camirillo is responsible for the criminal conduct of another, armed robbery, in that Camirillo encouraged, aided or attempted to aid Diego Martinez during the course of committing theft of property and with intent to obtain or maintain control of said property, threatened or placed David Laboy in fear of imminent bodily injury or death while exhibiting a pistol. Camirillo was indicted for possession of marijuana, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on the aforementioned date, Camirillo possessed a usable quantity of marijuana in an amount of 50 pounds or less but more than five pounds.

Hakeen Kevon Nash was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on September 29, 2015 Nash knowing a criminal offense had been committed by possessing marijuana, concealed or destroyed a marijuana cigarette with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation of the criminal offense.

Stacy Deon Jones was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on October 17, 2015 Jones during a traffic stop intentionally or knowingly destroyed marijuana with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the resulting traffic stop.

(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)
Shonda Laree Bryce, possession of a controlled substance (Oxycontin 20mg), third degree felony (January 18, 2016).
Shonda Laree Bryce, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 1, 2016).
Mistie Elisha Flournoy, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), state jail felony (April 19, 2016).
Charles Golden, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), state jail felony (April 23, 2016).
Christopher Jamar Cartwright, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second degree felony (March 22, 2017).
Roger Eugene Wilburn, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
Paul Wayne Dickerson, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
Jerome Cortez Ratcliff, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
Marcus Lakeithe Lister, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).
John Wayne Bell, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 4, 2016).,
Curvie Brinson, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), state jail felony (April 14, 2016).,
Judine Marie Duren, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 30, 2016).
Spencer Smith, possession of marijuana, state jail felony (December 19, 2015).
Brian Everette Sigler, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (September 12, 2015)
Javier Jesus Gonzalez, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 14, 2016).

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.

June 26, 2017 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison presented the commissioners with a proposal to partner with the city of Center for the purchase of a new building to house the radio systems for the county and city emergency services during their meeting Monday, June 26, 2017. The total price for the building is $5,380.08 and Judge Harbison stated the city has already agreed to pay for half of the cost of the building, leaving the county to make the difference of $2,690.04.

The current building is 8'x8' and is located on Riggs Street in Center. The new building would be 12'x12', totally self-contained including central air and heat. According to Judge Harbison, the power for the building is provided in such a way that if power supplied to the building ceases, a generator will engage to power the emergency radio equipment.

According to Judge Harbison, Center Police Chief Jim Albers contacted her a couple of years ago about the issue and they have been working on the project since that time. Judge Harbison informed the commissioners the use of the building is a long-standing agreement between the county and city; however, documentation to accompany that agreement has not been located. The county pays for the electricity supplied to the building.

"I think the city is trying to come up with some sort of mutual aid agreement on that," said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison said Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom agrees the building will be beneficial for several years to come.

A motion carried to partner with the city of Center in the purchase of the new building and for the purchasing funds to come from the contingency fund.

Stephen Shires, Shelby County District Attorney, spoke with the commissioners about using forfeiture funds to supplement the salary of a staff member.

According to Stephen Shires, District Attorney, pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, "One of the things that I am authorized to do is supplement folks in my office with money from the seizure fund; however, the Code of Criminal Procedure makes clear that I must seek and gain approval of that from this body (the commissioners)."

Shires told the commissioners his office staff works very hard and all the things they could do couldn't be accomplished without them and their job isn't a 9 to 5 job. Two employees at the District Attorney's office receive a supplement from the state to help pay their salary, and Shires explained that has been the case for a long time and he didn't want to divide that supplement to a third individual.

"Miss [Leanne] Nelson for the time being has been as y'all know as I sought approval from y'all, she has been helping me finish up my civil practice. As that is beginning to wind down, and hopefully will be wound down soon, that is going to leave her with a void because of everything, because she did take a pay cut when she came over," said Shires.

Shires explained the request is for what amounts to an additional $125 a week as long as the funds are available.

A motion carried to move forward with using the forfeiture funds as a salary supplement for Nelson effective on the day of the meeting as long as those funds are available. This was followed by another motion being carried to amend the forfeiture budget accordingly. According to Judge Harbison, with benefits it equates to $7,542.38.

Jheri-Lynn McSwain, Shelby County Extension Agent, accompanied by Mark Carpenter, horticulture consultant, with The Lily Farm and Nursery spoke with the commissioners about a proposal for a 4-H Community Service Landscape Project for the historic courthouse.

McSwain said the courthouse is the only Irish "castle-style" courthouse in the United States, not only Texas, and it is something that needs to be preserved. She remarked the building is a tourist attraction and people who have attended the area for 4-H meetings have been desirous to tour the courthouse.

"The Judge and I had spoken earlier about a 4-H community service project, and every year we do a one day 4-H project where we give back to the community with 135 kids and it's always an amazing event and they love to do that," said McSwain.

McSwain said she partnered with Carpenter to put together a project with an attainable goal to work on the landscaping around the courthouse. She sought the first donation for the project from the Center Garden Club who donated a generous $500, and McSwain said the project will be at no cost to the county.

Beds will have to be prepped, mulch has been donated and soil and plants will be provided at a limited cost. McSwain said, the plan will be for the plants to be installed by October 1, 2017 to showcase during the Poultry Festival.

Through research conducted by McSwain, she was able to determine a variety of plants which were being used in East Texas during the late 1800s, because she did not want there to be very modern plants with a historical building.

Plants which have been chosen for the project included Black Diamond Crape Myrtle, Red Knock-out Roses, Chinese Fringe Flower, Sunshine Ligustrum, Day Lily, and Purple Clematis Vine.

Colleen Doggett, who stated she was speaking on behalf of the Shelby County Historical Commission (SCHC), asked McSwain and Carpenter if the chosen plants are Texas native plants because she said that is what the commission wants on the courthouse grounds by way of trees and plants. She said Tim Morrison, SCHC Grounds Chairman, should have input for the project. Judge Harbison said she would speak to Morrison.

Carpenter stated the chosen plants are not all native to Texas. McSwain said they did select plants that have been grown in East Texas in the 1800s and they did not bring anything exotic in as their goal is to keep with the historical aspect of the courthouse its beauty.

A motion carried to accept the donation and move on with the project.

The commissioners approved the DETCOG Regional Mutual Aid agreement. Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, informed the commissioners the agreement the county has been previously working under was very old and outdated.

She explained the primary objective of the agreement is to facilitate rapid short-term deployment of emergency support to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other associated services before, during and after a major incident, disaster, or catastrophic event.

Basically she said it is a tool to help during emergencies or disasters.

A motion carried to extend the agreement.

The meeting was adjourned into an executive session at 9:57am. The meeting returned to open session at 10:13am

The purpose of the executive session was to consider what action to take regarding the Justice of the Peace office which is being vacated by Maxie Eaves, who is retiring from the position.

A motion carried to table the issue until a later date for legal council to be present and all commissioners to be present. If the position has not been filled by July 1, another Justice of the Peace will be asked to step up and fill the void.

Judge Harbison said legal council was really needed for the meeting so the decision could be made and Commissioner Bradley Allen asked to be present when the decision is made.

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain reiterated no date is being set at this time for when the commissioners will revisit the issue.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:17am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay monthly expenses.
2. DETCOG Regional Mutual Aid agreement.
3. Partner with city of Center to purchase new building for emergency radio equipment.
4. Use forfeiture funds as salary supplement for Leanne Nelson, effective on the day of the meeting.
5. Accept donation and move on with 4-H Community Service Landscape project for historic courthouse.
6. Adjourn to executive session, return to open session at 10:13am.
7. Adjourn meeting at 10:17am. 

Agenda items tabled during the meeting:
1. Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office.