Shelby County Today

December 31, 2016 - Two individuals have been arrested following the alleged brutal beating, disrobing, and kidnapping of an individual seeking to sell audio equipment.

Kevin W. Askew, 32, of Timpson was arrested December 12, 2016 and has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, felony 1, $25,000; aggravated robbery, felony 1, $25,000; and engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 1, $5,000. Morgan Magee, 33, of Center was arrested December 23, 2016 and has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, felony 1, $25,000; aggravated robbery, felony 1, $25,000; engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 1, $5,000; violation of probation: original charge - possession of a controlled substance, no bond set; violation of probation: original charge - burglary of a building, no bond set; and violation of probation: original charge - hindering apprehension or prosecution, no bond set.

According to the arrest affidavit, an investigation was opened December 17, 2016 when the victim reported the occurence to Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Cody Muse. He told Deputy Muse of the alleged events occurring on December 13, 2016 when he met with a man at Valero gas station in Center to sell a set of car audio speakers.

It was then the victim learned Kevin Askew, who accompanied the man he was meeting, was seeking to purchase the speakers. After their business was completed, Askew asked for and received a ride from the victim. The victim alleges he drove to a location on CR 1168 to the residence of a friend of Askew and upon arrival he was unable to arouse Askew as he had passed out in the vehicle.

After finding it impossible to awaken Askew from his slumber, the victim drove to a friend's house in Martinsville. The following morning, December 14, 2016 the victim departed his friend's residence at 7:30am with a then awake Askew and embarked on a trip to Nacogdoches to see another friend. During this trip, Askew supposedly received a text message his girlfriend had been in an automobile accident and was in the hospital, and he asked the victim to drive him home to change clothes and then on to the hospital.

While on the way to his house, Askew allegedly claimed to be missing a small pouch and the two men searched the stopped vehicle for the pouch on the side of the road. Following the fruitless search, the pair continued on their journey to Askew's home.

Several individuals were located at Askew's house upon arrival including Morgan Magee, another female and two black males unknown to the victim. While the victim sat on a couch in the residence amidst the other individuals, Askew allegedly entered the room with a baseball bat and struck the victim several times in the head and leg with the bat and punched him in the face whilst accusing him of taking the missing pouch from Askew.

After this assault, the victim claimed the larger of the two black males held a large hunting knife while he stood over him. The victim then lay unconcious for about an hour. Askew and the two other males allegedly stripped the victim naked, followed by the smaller of the two black males tying him up with electrical cord. The victim believes this happened at around 9am.

During this time, Askew is alleged to have contacted a friend of the victim who agreed to meet at the residence. The victim claims Magee entered the room holding his cell phone telling him she would be keeping the device.

The friend of the victim was able to convince the victim's captors to release him. Askew allegedly had the victim fill out a bill of sale for his vehicle and took his keys and advised the vitctim to pay him $300 within 24 hours.

During a follow-up interview by Sheriff's Department Investigator Michael Griffin, the victim was asked for a description of the role Magee played in the incident. The victim alleged Magee acted as a mediator telling him if they were given what they wanted everything would be better, and when his friend arrived to pick him up Magee gave him the SIM card for his phone and told him she would sell it to him for $175. The victim also said his captors kept claiming he had stolen Askew's "dope."

December 29, 2016 - Emergency personnel were dispatched to a crash incident on U.S. Highway 59 Tuesday, December 27, 2016 involving an 18-wheeler and a horse.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 7:10pm a white 2007 Volvo truck-tractor driven by Rusnak Mateusz, 50, of Mundelein, Ill. was southbound on U.S. Highway 59 between Tenaha and Timpson hauling a load of strawberries and shrimp for Trans Express.

Mateusz was in the outside lane when, within 30 feet, he realized a horse was in his lane running in his direction and at the last minute the horse reared. The Volvo struck the horse causing major front end damage to the Volvo.

Mateusz was not reported to have been injured as a result of the crash. The horse did not survive and the owners has yet to come forward.

The Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and directed traffic until the scene was clear. The Shelby County Sheriff's Department also responded to the scene.

December 28, 2016 - State Highway 87 just south of Shelbyville ISD was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, December 23, 2016 at the intersection of County Road 2100.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 5pm a black 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by Christopher Lee, 27, of Timpson was southbound on State Highway 87 South when another vehicle ended up in his path.

Trooper Smith reports a maroon 2002 Honda passenger van driven by Shellie Sullivan, 30, of Center was stopped on the southbound shoulder of Highway 87 when she failed to yield right of way to the Dodge when turning left. Lee took evasive action veering left and struck the van on the front left quarter panel.

Both vehicles came to rest on the northbound shoulder of Highway 87 facing south.

ACE EMS transported Sullivan from the scene to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of minor injuries.

Trooper Smith issued Sullivan citations for fail to yield right of way - turning left, driving while license invalid, and fail to maintain financial responsibility.

Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, responded and assisted at the scene.

December 27, 2016 - The City of Center Public Water System, PWS #2100001, will be conducting water system maintenance beginning January 3, 2017, and lasting until January 31, 2017. The system will be switching to free chlorine as its main disinfection.

This maintenance, which is not a requirement, but is the recommended course of action set by the TCEQ/EPA for the accumulation of disinfection byproducts.

This is a routine maintenance procedure performed to help reduce unstable water conditions in our system and insure the highest quality of water being delivered to our customers.

During this maintenance period you may notice an odor or slight discoloration, but the safety of the water will not be affected. City maintenance crews and the Fire Department will also be aggressively flushing hydrants throughout the City's distribution system.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our Public Works Department at 936-598-5241.