|
press releases:
from The Paris News:
County initiates ‘no-refusal'
weekend
by Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published August 22, 2008
County law enforcement have joined a growing list of Texas
counties initiating a no-refusal weekend for persons suspected
of driving while intoxicated.
“Labor Day weekend, if you are suspected of DWI and you
refuse to provide a breath test, you will not be able to refuse
a blood test,” said Calvin Grogan, assistant county and
district attorney.
The no-refusal weekend will be a collaborative effort between
Paris Police, Texas Department of Public Safety, Reno Police,
Lamar County Sheriff's Office, and the Lamar County Attorney's
Office.
County Court-at-Law Judge Deane Loughmiller and 62nd District
Judge Scott McDowell have agreed to be available Labor Day weekend
to review all requests for blood search warrants.
Grogan said a large number of people arrested for DWI do not
provide a sample of their breath or blood and incorrectly believe
a breath test refusal will automatically mean no criminal prosecution
will occur.
“There are many cases we try each month in front of juries
without breath or blood test evidence, and we still are successful
in getting guilty verdicts,” he said. “People have
to take this seriously. We're talking about safety on our roads
and that's everybody's business.”
It is against Texas law to operate a motor vehicle on a public
road while intoxicated. There are several ways a person can be
legally proven to be intoxicated: a blood alcohol content (BAC)
greater than .08, or by proof the person has lost the normal
use of his or her mental and/or physical faculties by introduction
of alcohol or controlled substances into the body.
Grogan said there are criminal and administrative consequences
for not providing a breath sample when suspected of DWI. “The
Texas Transportation Code allows a person's driving privileges
to be suspended for 180 days, regardless if the person is subsequently
criminally prosecuted,” he said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2008
No refusal in Lamar County over Labor Day weekend
This Labor Day weekend, Lamar County will join the growing list
of Texas counties initiating a no-refusal weekend for persons
suspected of driving while intoxicated.
"Labor Day weekend, if you are suspected of DWI and you
refuse to provide a breath test, you will not be able to refuse
a blood test," said Calvin Grogan, assistant county and
district attorney.
The no-refusal weekend will be a collaborative effort between
Paris Police, Texas Department of Public Safety, Reno Police,
Lamar County Sheriff's Office, and the Lamar County Attorney's
Office.
County Court-at-Law Judge Deane Loughmiller and 62nd District
Judge Scott McDowell have agreed to be available Labor Day weekend
to review all requests for blood search warrants. Paris Regional
Medical Center has agreed to conduct the blood draws free of
charge.
Grogan said a large number of people arrested for DWI do not
provide a sample of their breath or blood and incorrectly believe
a breath test refusal will automatically mean no criminal prosecution
will occur.
"There are many cases we try each month in front of juries
without breath or blood test evidence, and we still are successful
in getting guilty verdicts," he said. "People have
to take this seriously. We're talking about safety on our roads
and that's everybody's business."
It is against Texas law to operate a motor vehicle on a public
road while intoxicated. There are several ways a person can be
legally proven to be intoxicated: a blood alcohol content (BAC)
greater than .08, or by proof the person has lost the normal
use of his or her mental and/or physical faculties by introduction
of alcohol or controlled substances into the body.
Grogan said there are criminal and administrative consequences
for not providing a breath sample when suspected of DWI. "The
Texas Transportation Code allows a person's driving privileges
to be suspended for 180 days, regardless if the person is subsequently
criminally prosecuted," he said.
Paris man receives 35 year sentence
Staff Email
The Paris
News
Published August 13, 2008
An 18-year-old Paris man was given a 35-year prison sentence
by a jury Tuesday for selling crack cocaine.
Steven Deon Jones, who was 17 at the time of his offenses,
was charged with selling more than four but less than 200 grams
of crack to an undercover informant in 2007. The jury watched
videotaped surveillance of the transactions before finding Jones
guilty Tuesday.
Jones could have received life in prison.
“The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,” First
Assistant County and District Attorney Bill Harris said. “His
father is in prison for drugs as is his uncle.”
Jones took the stand in his own defense during the punishment
phase and told the jury his father, Lonnie “Snowman”
Robins and his uncle, Tony “T-Rob” Robins, are in prison.
Jones said he wanted to be present for his infant son as he grows
up but acknowledged he was on the same path as his family members.
Testimony included Jones was in possession of a handgun during
commission of one of the crimes.
Harris noted the jury sent a message that “no matter
how young you may be, if you are dealing narcotics you will pay.
It’s just not worth it.”
Prosecutors brought a total of three cases involving Jones'
drug sales investigated by Paris Police narcotics officers. The
jury gave the maximum 20 years in prison on the second and 10
years on the third case. The sentences in all three will run
at the same time, according to 62nd District Judge Scott McDowell,
who presided over the trial.
The jury found the crimes occurred in a drug free zone requiring
Jones to serve a minimum half of his sentence before parole eligibility.
Jones was represented by defense attorney Ben Massar.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2008
First offense drug dealer gets 35 years from jury
An eighteen-year-old Paris man was given a 35-year prison sentence
by a jury Tuesday for selling crack cocaine.
Steven Deon Jones, who was seventeen at the time of his offenses,
was charged with selling more than four but less than 200 grams
of crack to an undercover informant in 2007. The jury watched
videotaped surveillance of the transactions before finding Jones
guilty Tuesday morning.
Jones could have received life in prison.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," said
First Assistant County and District Attorney Bill Harris. "His
father is in prison for drugs as is his uncle."
Jones took the stand in his own defense during the punishment
phase and told the jury his father, Lonnie "Snowman"
Robins and his uncle, Tony "T-Rob" Robins, are in prison.
Jones said he wanted to be present for his infant son as he grows
up but acknowledged he was on the same path as his family members.
Jones frequently said he did not recall where he got the drugs
he was selling, but did name one supplier: Zakhari Tolbert, who
went to prison in November for drug sales.
Testimony included Jones was in possession of a handgun during
commission of one of the crimes. A young girl testified Jones
forced her to have sex with him against her will last year and
evidence of a juvenile conviction for aggravated assault with
a deadly weapon was also presented.
"As one drug dealer gets prison, others are waiting in
the wings. There is a steady demand for drugs in our town and
there are unscrupulous young men waiting to make a living supplying
that demand," Harris said.
Harris noted the jury sent a message that "no matter
how young you may be, if you are dealing narcotics you will pay.
It's just not worth it."
Prosecutors brought a total of three cases involving Jones'
drug sales investigated by Paris Police narcotics officers. The
jury gave the maximum 20 years in prison on the second and 10
years on the third case. The sentences in all three will run
at the same time, according to 62nd District Judge Scott McDowell,
who presided over the trial.
Jones had no prior felony offenses and was eligible under
the law to receive probation. The jury found the crimes occurred
in a drug free zone requiring Jones to serve a minimum half of
his sentence, or seventeen and one-half years, before parole
eligibility.
Jones was represented by defense attorney Ben Massar.
Gordon: guilty of murder
by Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published August 8, 2008
Anthony “Cody” Antoine Gordon, 28, has been found
guilty by a Lamar County jury of murder in the shooting death
of Gerron Biggers.
It took the jury 35 minutes to reach the verdict.
Between the jury verdict of guilty and the sentencing phase,
Gordon changed his plea to guilty and accepted a plea bargain
of 50 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system.
Judge Scott McDowell accepted the plea and passed the sentence
while the jury remained in the jury room.
He then ordered the gallery audience to remain in the courtroom
and allowed the jury to leave the courthouse before releasing
the gallery audience.
Gordon will have to serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming
eligible for parole, but under the current guidelines in murder
cases, he probably would serve at least 40 years.
Biggers was gunned down from the passenger seat of a car Oct.
21, 2007, while he was standing on the corner of 6th N.E. and
Tudor streets.
Gordon had claimed self defense and that Biggers had displayed
a gun.
No gun was ever found, but Biggers’ friends carried him
to a car and rushed him to a hospital before police arrived.
The shooting took place while scores of people stood by shortly
after 4:30 a.m. on a Sunday, after nearby Club Vic had closed
its doors for the night and people poured into the street.
Prosecutors called 15 witnesses to the stand. Most knew the
victim and the defendant, and most disputed or said they did
not remember their own witness statements taken by police shortly
after the shooting.
District Attorney Gary Young and Assistant District Attorney
Bill Harris were forced to ask the court to declare two of their
own witnesses as “hostile witnesses” and continuously
reverted back to their original sworn statements to police and
the grand jury.
Witnesses repeatedly said: “I don’t remember”
or “that was not what I said.”
Paris Police detective Jeff Springer was called to the stand
to verify he had taken the statements and witnesses signed them.
During the sometimes confusing testimony, one person was ushered
out of the courtroom and told to leave the courthouse after abusive
outbursts from the gallery.
Biggers’ friend Henry Edwards told the jury he was standing
near the victim when the shots were fired.
He said he hit the ground, then got up to find his friend
had been shot.
He said he and another friend, Darrick McCarty, carried Biggers
to McCarty’s car and rushed him to the hospital, where he
was declared dead.
McCarty testified because he feared more shooting, he got
his shotgun out of his car trunk before picking up the victim.
“I could hear him gasping for air when we got him to
the car,” McCarty said.
Both Edwards and McCarty said they did not see Biggers with
a gun, but police statements showed the victim did have drugs
and $2,280 in cash on him when he was shot.
Witnesses said there were conflicts between Gordon and his
friends in the days prior to the shooting.
The conflicts apparently began with a burglary at Biggars
home involving drugs, a gun and money. The burglary was not reported
until after the shooting.
Biggers apparently blamed Gordon’s cousin for the burglary.
Witnesses said Jason Jermaine “JJ” Gordon and Kemonte
Gordon were in the car with Cody Gordon at the time of the shooting.
Jason Gordon had been a co-defendant in the trial, but moments
before the trial opened, he changed his plea to guilty and was
handed a plea bargain 19-year sentence in TDCJ.
Jason Gordon had been released from prison on parole two years
ago, after serving a sentence in the deaths of two young girls
in a traffic accident. The stolen car he was driving ran a stop
sign and plowed into the car of a father taking the two young
girls to school.
Cody Gordon had served prison sentences twice before and had
a long history of problems with law enforcement. He was arrested
for possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance,
aggravated assault and attempted murder.
He was released from prison in October 2005.
A firearms forensic expert testified Biggers was shot from
three to five feet away, and that his hands showed no signs he
had fired a weapon.
Gunshot residue was found in the car owned by Jason Gordon,
and a spent cartridge was in the windshield wiper well in the
car’s hood.
Defense attorney Heath Hyde told jurors in his opening statement:
“This is all going to boil down to whether it was self defense.”
Young told the jury: “I don’t believe the facts
will play out for self defense.”
After the shooting, the defendant had someone drive him to
Dallas. A girlfriend allegedly drove his car there later to sell
it and get cash either for Gordon to flee or to hire an attorney
to defend him.
He was arrested in Dallas after a tip from someone he had
called in Paris.
Testimony showed a web of activity by Gordon involving multiple
girlfriends and friends and family members answering questions
in an apparent effort to defend him.
In his sentencing plea bargain, Gordon gave up his right to
appeal the verdict and sentence.
After the sentence, Biggers parents, Debra Akins and Eddie
Biggers faced Gordon in the courtroom.
Akins told Gordon: “You took the life of my son. I heard
from him every day, and I will never get to hold him again. You
still have your life, and you still have your kids. I am not
as angry as I was the morning I got that call. I just pray that
I can find it in my heart later in life to forgive you.”
“You ripped my heart out, and I am really angry and bitter,
and I just wanted to look you in the face,” Eddie Biggers
said.
Mother sentenced to 28 years
by Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published July 31, 2008
(To protect the identity of the juvenile victim in this article,
the names of the mother and other witnesses are not used. The
article contains material inappropriate for children.)
A 29-year-old mother, convicted of engaging in sex acts with
her 5-year-old biological son, has been sentenced to 28 years
in prison for aggravated assault on a child less than 14 years
of age.
Judge Jim Lovett passed the jury-recommended sentence shortly
before 4 p.m. Wednesday in his 6th District Courtroom.
The mother will be required to serve half the sentence before
being eligible for parole.
She also received three 20-year sentences on three counts
of indecency with a child. Those sentences will run concurrently
with the 28-year sentence.
The jury of nine men and three women deliberated more than
four hours before reaching a sentence recommendation.
"This is one of the most unimaginable things to actually
happen to a child," Gary Young, Lamar County and District
Attorney, said. "This woman may have given birth to the
little boy, but she is no mother to have done things like this."
Assistant prosecutor Jill Drake said, "This child was
brave enough to tell the truth and, thankfully, the jury believed
that truth."
The case first surfaced in 2007, after an incident in which
the child was caught in a closet coercing another child to have
oral sex.
He told his stepmother he learned of such acts from his mother
at the age of 5.
The jury deliberated more than five hours before finding the
mother guilty.
During the punishment phase, jurors heard the story of a “manipulative”
woman who “conned” people throughout her life, including
claiming a fake pregnancy and claiming to have had a stillborn
child.
Witnesses testified she even went so far as to run an obituary
in a newspaper and received donations from many people to help
her funeral expenses.
She was arrested for filing a false police report and was
sentenced to serve 20 days in Lamar County Jail in the fake pregnancy
case.
When the mother took the stand, Young asked: “You knew,
didn’t you, there could be no pregnancy since you had a
tubal ligation and a hysterectomy years before?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“There wasn’t any pregnancy or stillborn baby, was
there?” Young asked.
“No,” she answered.
Young called several witnesses who said they had observed
the mother physically abusing her children when they were young
by slapping them, knocking them down and once swinging a broom
handle at them.
She denied such abuse ever took place.
Witnesses testified she often locked her son and daughter
in their rooms.
Other witnesses testified she had spent time in jail on three
separate occasions, at least once on bad check charges.
Defense attorney Brady Fisher told the jury: “She has
had a hard life, but has a supporting family and can fulfill
all the requirements of probation if you recommend it.”
In Young’s summation, he said: “We can be here for
hours and hours to talk about all the bad things she has done,
but if you recommend probation she can walk out of this courtroom
and go down the elevator with you.”
“When someone commits this type of crime, they go to
prison for a long time,” Young said. “Think about the
long term impact she will have on her son’s life, and think
about the impact she has made on society through the years.”
She will be illegible for parole in 2022.
Mother is convicted
by Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published July 30, 2008
A 29-year-old Lamar County mother was convicted Tuesday of
engaging in sex acts with her 5-year-old son.
Testimony was scheduled for today in the punishment phase
of the trial.
A jury of nine men and three women found the mother guilty
of one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14
years of age and three counts of indecency with a child by sexual
contact.
The son, now 8, testified at the two-day trial he had been
forced by his mother to have oral sex on her and to let her have
oral sex with him.
The case first surfaced in 2007, after an incident in which
the child was caught in a closet trying to coerce another child
to have oral sex.
He told his stepmother his biological mother had introduced
sex with him at the age of 5.
He was moved to his father’s home in 2005 in a custody
decision not related to the sex charges.
County Attorney Gary Young called several witnesses to the
stand, including the boy, his stepmother and several men who
said they had relationships with the defendant.
The young victim testified in open court, with his mother
out of sight behind a screen.
He had been expected to testify by closed circuit television
from another room, but a malfunction of equipment resulted in
6th District Court Judge Jim Lovett scrapping that plan in favor
of open testimony before the jury.
The 8-year-old boy, pointing to specific spots on dolls, told
jurors what he said happened between him and his mother.
He said his mother on at least three occasions brought him
into her bedroom, where they both took off their clothes, and
he was told to “lick her private parts” while she performed
oral sex on him.
Other witnesses testified the mother was not always truthful
and had a troubled past.
The defendant took the stand and denied the alleged incidents
ever took place, contending the allegations were made up to be
evidence in a custody fight.
She said after her divorce from her son’s father, he
married one of her best friends in high school and there had
been continued conflicts over custody.
She said her only problem through the years stemmed from her
diagnosed “bipolarism.”
The sexual contact was alleged to have taken place shortly
before or during January 2005.
A semi-retired former obstetrician and gynecologist residing
in Powderly testified he had performed a partial hysterectomy
on the defendant and left a “noticeable” scar. He said
she also had other scars from previous operations.
During his testimony, the boy had said he did not see a scar
on his mother, but Young pointed out to the jury a 5-year-old
boy might not notice such things as scars.
The doctor also told jurors after the partial hysterectomy,
it was discovered the defendant had Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
that made her a high risk for cervical cancer. He said that could
have been passed on to sexual partners.
The mother’s father and former mother-in-law testified
she was not always truthful or credible.
Defense attorney Brady Fisher told jurors in his summation
to look at the whole picture and ask themselves: “What is
wrong with this picture?”
“This is a troubled, troubled, troubled child,”he
said. “He blamed his mother when he got into trouble. The
evidence of the sexual act does not fit. It does not match. It
is not possible.”
Young told jurors to make their decisions on what they heard
in the courtroom.
He praised the boy for telling the story, and urged jurors
to look closely at his testimony and that from the many witnesses.
“This case is not about a custody fight,” Young
said. “It is about sexual abuse of a child.”
The jury deliberated on the case three hours before returning
a note to Lovett the situation may be deadlocked.
Lovett called them back into the courtroom and urged them
to continue seeking a unanimous verdict.
“If you continue to be unable to reach a decision, the
court must declare a mistrial. The same questions will be left
to another jury, which will have to decide on the same issues,”
Lovett said.
The jury then went back to the jury room and deliberated almost
three more hours before returning the guilty verdict.
Drug supplier sentenced
by Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published July 29, 2008
A 34-year-old Sulphur Springs man, labeled by law enforcement
as a major drug supplier, has received a 60-year prison sentence
in Lamar County.
Detwonne Monshay Alexander was arrested in August 2007 by
the Paris police Narcotics and Felony Crimes Unit, after a traffic
stop and a police chase.
Police officers, using a confidential informant, were investigating
a “lower end” drug dealer and became aware of her supplier.
Shortly after that, Alexander was involved in a routine traffic
stop, but fled on foot.
Officers found several items in his vehicle linking him to
the lower end drug dealer.
He was arrested in a drug free zone, which means he must serve
at least half his sentence for manufacturing and delivering a
controlled substance of more than four grams but less than 200
grams before becoming eligible for parole.
The sentence by a Lamar County jury, composed of seven men
and five women, was handed down by 6th District Court Judge Jim
Lovett. Alexander’s conviction Friday followed two days
of testimony.
Alexander’s criminal history includes prior felony convictions,
including robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
in 1991. He was placed on probation for those crimes, but the
probation later was revoked.
“Once again officers making use of limited resources
have eliminated another criminal from the streets, and thanks
to a jury which understood the situation, he has been given a
lengthy sentence,” prosecutor Bill Harris said.
Alexander was offered a plea bargain, which was substantially
lower than the sentence, but declined that offer.
Diane Sprague represented Alexander.
VINE — Peace of mind for
victims of crime
Allan Hubbard
columnist | The
Paris News
Published July 18, 2008
We don’t all agree with the ever changing process and
flow of information, what is accessible, what should be made
public, what should be kept private.
But the underlying spirit of a new service to Lamar County
citizens, and especially its crime victims, is a noble one founded
on empowerment through information.
VINE, or Victim Information Notification Everyday, came online
locally in late June making use of Lamar County Jail booking
and courts data to keep registered users informed when a suspect
or defendant’s status changes.
A victim can access VINE via the Internet or telephone, register
as a person to be informed about a particular offender or suspect,
and the VINE system calls or e-mails the victim if their offender
is released from jail, transfers to the state prison system,
or is headed to court in the near future.
The attorneys general and crime victim advocate groups in
43 states have implemented VINE. It’s free for a victim
to register and be kept informed. Installation of the system
in Lamar County was paid by a grant from the Texas Attorney General.
Ongoing maintenance year-to-year will be the county’s responsibility.
It is a deserving service worthy of being kept funded. I pray
no one in decision making how county tax dollars are spent ever
need to use the VINE system. But if they do, or are at least
compassionate to the plight of our more than 350 violent crime
victims per year, rest assured it will remain in place.
I could tug at your heart strings and paint a sympathetic
story about a poor, abused, lonely, fragile and frightened victim
of a violent crime who finds comfort knowing if their perpetrator
gets out of jail or goes to court they will be notified.
I could portray the cold and ruthless criminal justice system
which casts victims out to the cold, involves and “deals
with” victims only when they have to, and how VINE is one
of a victim’s most dependable friends in times of distress.
Either would be accurate to a degree.
Children who are abused notwithstanding, I will tell you that
a great many crime victims get themselves victimized by their
own actions. I will tell you that in Lamar County the random
victim who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong
time is less frequent than a victim who ends up hurt because
of choices they make to remain in dangerous situations.
But, anecdotally, a woman whose abusive husband is arrested
constantly looks over her shoulder in a local store wondering
if he got out and is now following her to retaliate when no one’s
watching. A man who was assaulted by a drug-addicted neighbor
wonders if the strange sound outside his window is the now-released
addict returning to finish the job as vengeance for calling the
police.
The examples are endless. The empowering tool for people in
these situations, for their mental and emotional wellbeing, is
information.
Is the suspect/defendant still in jail? Have they bonded out?
Is there a court hearing next week? Have they been transferred
from county jail into the state prison system?
Knowing these answers helps them cope as the process unfolds,
and heal as their victimization carries weeks into years.
To register for VINE, visit www.vinelink.com or call 877-894-8463.
Allan Hubbard is a Paris resident and victim witness coordinator
for Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young.
VINE keeps eye on criminals, suspects
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published July 10, 2008
Lamar County has joined the state’s victim notification
system that allows victims of crime to track the movement of
criminals and suspects in the jails and court system.
VINE is the Victim Information Notification Everyday system
active in almost every county in Texas and 37 other states.
Victims of crime can register to be notified on the movement
of a particular suspect or convict.
All victims have to do is register a phone number or e-mail
address to be notified when a county jail inmate’s status
changes or a court proceeding is scheduled.
The service is free, and any change in the offender’s
status or court hearing is updated and sent in real time to anyone
who registers under that offender’s name.
“We have local inmates who are violent and people need
to know about them,” Lamar County and District Attorney
Gary Young said. “It is time we put this system in place
to notify victims when offenders are released from jail or a
hearing is set for them.”
The process of joining the VINE system started more than two
years ago, when the district attorney’s office was told
by the state Lamar County is one of the last of the larger counties
in Texas not using the system.
Young immediately set the wheels in motion to join the system.
“We made it a live program at the end of June,”
county victims coordinator Allan Hubbard said. “We have
been working to get it started more than two years.”
The VINE system also can be utilized by law enforcement departments
attempting to keep track of suspects being processed in other
counties.
“The Department of Homeland Security also has access
to this information, and officials can register to find information
about offenders,” Hubbard said. “From terror suspects
to people just on wanted lists that pop up in county jails, Homeland
Security would have access to that information that might otherwise
slip by.”
Hubbard said for the most part the system was set up to warn
victims when a violent offender is released from jail, giving
them the opportunity to protect themselves.
“There often is a fear in the minds of victims the suspect
is out of jail and they are not aware of it,” Hubbard said.
If released, offenders can be tracked throughout their parole.
Those wishing information about an offender or suspect can
register online at www.vinelink.com or by calling 877-894-8463.
A person can register to receive information about an offender
from a specific facility such as Lamar County Jail or from all
facilities in the VINE linkup.
The program is handled by the Texas Attorney General’s
office, but is a nationwide program.
Although anyone can register to receive information about
anyone in jail, at County Judge Chuck Superville’s request,
the district attorney’s office will be concerned mostly
with registering victims of violent crime.
Drug dealer bargains for 45-year
sentence
Staff reports
Special to The
Paris News
Published June 27, 2008
A Paris man who prosecutors labeled a “significant drug
dealer” admitted his guilt Thursday and was sentenced to
45 years in prison in a plea bargain.
Alfred “Choke” Williams, 47, faced a possible life
sentence if convicted by a jury.
District Judge Jim D. Lovett approved the plea bargain terms
in 6th District Court.
Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young called it “the
biggest sentence in a plea bargain we've seen in almost four
years.”
“Narcotics officers are continuing to diligently eat
away at the local problem,” Young said. “They are to
be commended for not letting up.”
An extensive drug-related criminal history made Williams a
repeat offender under Texas law.
Two counts of delivery of a controlled substance from November
and December 2007 took place in a drug free zone mandating Williams
must spend half his sentence before parole eligibility.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2008
Another drug dealer sent to prison
A Paris man who prosecutors labeled a "significant drug
dealer" admitted his guilt Thursday and was sentenced to
45 years in prison in a plea bargain.
Alfred "Choke" Williams, 47, faced a possible life
sentence if convicted by a jury. District Judge Jim D. Lovett
approved the plea bargain terms.
Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young called it "the
biggest sentence in a plea bargain we've seen in almost four
years."
"Narcotics officers are continuing to diligently eat
away at the local problem," Young said. "They are to
be commended for not letting up."
An extensive drug-related criminal history made Williams a
repeat offender under Texas law. Two counts of delivery of a
controlled substance from November and December 2007 took place
in a drug free zone mandating Williams must spend half his sentence
before parole eligibility.
"That's 22 and one-half years before he could possibly
get out," Young said.
Drug dealers off to prison
Staff reports
Special to The
Paris News
Published June 25, 2008
Sixth District Judge Jim D. Lovett sent three Lamar County
drug dealers to prison Monday, each for a first offense.
Lovett found Deanna Nicholson, 39, of Paris, guilty and handed
her a 10-year sentence on three counts of delivery of a controlled
substance.
She was arrested for selling methamphetamine to an undercover
informant.
The judge also found Cody Pate, 18, of Paris, guilty and gave
him a 5-year sentence on one count of manufacturing or delivering
a controlled substance.
Pate was charged with attempting to convert powder cocaine
to crack cocaine.
Brittany Brown, 23, of Paris, plead guilty. She was given
a 10-year sentence on one count of manufacturing or delivery
of a controlled substance. Brown was charged with delivering
and/or selling powder cocaine as many as 20 to 30 times.
“If we’re able to determine a person is dealing
a sizable amount of drugs, or has numerous transactions, our
office will attempt to put that person in prison even if it’s
his or her first offense,” Lamar County and District Attorney
Gary Young said.
“I’ve grown tired of hearing from defendants who
have no prior record and think they deserve probation. Each time
someone sells drugs multiple lives are affected — not just
the dealer and the addict,” Young said. “We do not
feel that people who affect society in this manner are deserving
of probation.”
All three defendants waived their right to a jury trial.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2008
First offense drug dealers sentenced to prison
Sixth District Judge Jim D. Lovett sent three Lamar County
drug dealers to prison Monday, each for their first offense.
Lovett found Deanna Nicholson, 39 of Paris, guilty and handed
her a 10-year sentence on three counts of delivery of a controlled
substance. She was arrested for selling methamphetamine to an
undercover informant.
The judge also found Cody Pate, 18 of Paris, guilty and gave
him a 5-year sentence on one count of manufacturing or delivering
a controlled substance. Pate was charged with attempting to convert
powder cocaine to crack cocaine.
Brittany Brown, 23 of Paris, watched the two previous cases
and decided to plead guilty. She was given a 10-year sentence
on one count of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance.
Brown was charged with delivering and/or selling powder cocaine
as many as 20-30 times.
"If we're able to determine you're dealing a sizeable
amount of drugs, or have numerous transactions, our office will
attempt to put you in prison even if it's your first offense,"
said Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young.
"I've grown tired of hearing from defendants who have
no prior record and think they deserve probation. Each time someone
sells drugs multiple lives are effected - not just the dealer
and the addict," Young said. "We do not feel that people
who effect society in this manner are deserving of probation."
All three defendants waived their right to a jury trial.
Jury finds Paris man guilty of
BWI
Staff reports
Special to The
Paris News
Published June 10, 2008
A Lamar County jury took just eight minutes Monday to find
Robert James Wilson, 51, of Paris, guilty of boating while intoxicated.
Due to a lengthy criminal history involving numerous prior
felonies, Wilson faced up to life in prison. He was handed a
35-year sentence by 62nd District Judge Scott McDowell.
The June 2007 incident handled by game wardens and state troopers
at Pat Mayse Lake was Wilson's second boating while intoxicated
arrest.
“Clearly, this is a man with no regard for the safety
of people around him. It is perhaps the highest example of blatant
and senseless danger to drink alcohol and operate any type of
motor vehicle, on a road or a lake,” Bill Harris, first
assistant county and district attorney, said.
Game warden Bryan Callahan testified as the arresting officer
that Wilson fled on a jet ski to avoid questioning about erratic
boating on the lake.
After a brief chase on water that Callahan said reached speeds
exceeding 40 miles per hour, Wilson banked the jet ski on shore
near Lamar Point and Callahan testified he pursued Wilson on
foot.
Game warden Darla Barr and state trooper Greg Wilson also
testified as to the defendant's level of intoxication.
“These officers were seeing to the safety of Pat Mayse
Lake on a summer day and thankfully removed Mr. Wilson before
he caused an injury to someone. That's public safety at its best
and we are lucky to have these officers serving us,” assistant
prosecutor Calvin Grogan said.
Wilson has numerous misdemeanor and felony driving while intoxicated
convictions, and was arrested in May for violating bond in a
family violence incident. He was sentenced to four years for
felony DWI in 2001. Wilson was also convicted for an attempted
rape in the mid 1980s in another Texas county.
Wilson was represented by defense attorney Brady Fisher.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2008
Jury convicts for boating while intoxicated
A Lamar County jury took just eight minutes Monday to find
Robert James Wilson, 51 of Paris, guilty of boating while intoxicated.
Due to a lengthy criminal history involving numerous prior
felonies, Wilson faced up to life in prison. He was handed a
35 year sentence by 62nd District Judge Scott McDowell.
The June 2007 incident handled by game wardens and state troopers
at Pat Mayse Lake was Wilson's second boating while intoxicated
arrest.
"Clearly, this is a man with no regard for the safety
of people around him. It is perhaps the highest example of blatant
and senseless danger to drink alcohol and operate any type of
motor vehicle, on a road or a lake," said Bill Harris, First
Assistant County and District Attorney.
Game warden Bryan Callahan testified as the arresting officer
that Wilson fled on a jet ski to avoid questioning about erratic
boating on the lake. After a brief chase on water that reached
speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour, Wilson banked the jet ski
on shore near Lamar Point and Callahan testified he pursued Wilson
on foot.
Game warden Darla Barr and state trooper Greg Wilson also
testified as to the defendant's level of intoxication.
"These officers were seeing to the safety of Pat Mayse
Lake on a summer day and thankfully removed Mr. Wilson before
he caused an injury to someone. That's public safety at its best
and we are lucky to have these officers serving us," assistant
prosecutor Calvin Grogan said.
Wilson has numerous misdemeanor and felony driving while intoxicated
convictions, and was arrested in May for violating bond in a
family violence incident. He was sentenced to four years for
felony DWI in 2001. Wilson was also convicted for an attempted
rape in the mid 1980s in another Texas county.
Wilson was represented by defense attorney Brady Fisher.
Fuller gets two prison sentences
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published June 6, 2008
Michael Charles Fuller, convicted Wednesday for sexual assault
of a child and two counts of indecency with a child, was handed
two prison sentences of 15 years and one of five Thursday by
a Lamar County jury of six men and six women.
On the recommendation of County and District Attorney Gary
Young, 162nd District Court Judge Scott McDowell ruled the former
star Paris High football player must serve one of the 15-year
sentences and the five-year sentence consecutively.
The remaining 15-year sentence will be concurrent.
The consecutive sentences will more than double those handed
down in the first trial on the same charges for Fuller in Lamar
County.
The convictions in those cases carried sentences of one eight-year
term and two five-year terms, all to be served concurrently,
but a Texas appeals court reversed those convictions on the grounds
of “ineffective” counsel.
Fuller, who already has spent more than three years behind
bars, will get credit for the time served toward the time he
will have to serve on the new sentences.
Young said he must serve at least half the 15-year sentences,
then must begin serving the five-year term.
Fuller had asked for probation, but the jury, which took only
30 minutes to recommend sentencing, made no recommendation for
probation.
Young said the conviction should send a message to people
who would commit this type of crime, but “the type of people
who commit this type of crime usually believe they never will
be caught.”
After sentencing, Fuller announced to the court he again will
appeal the decision, claiming a conflict of interest between
his court-appointed attorney Dave Turner and a defense witness
Turner had earlier represented.
He also said there was at least one other conflict of interest
issue.
Fuller’s conviction Wednesday came after a day of testimony
in which the victim testified he had sexually molested and attacked
her while he lived in the home with her mother. The victim was
15 at the time.
During the sentencing phase, another woman testified Fuller
had sexual relations with her from the time she was 14 to the
age of 18, often picking her up at school for a sexual outing.
Fuller took the stand in his own behalf, denying the incidents
with the alleged victim took place but admitting the sexual relations
with the second witness.
Young painted Fuller as a person who often had been in trouble
with the law and who, instead of working to support himself,
used people to pay his way while he pursued the “pipe-dream”
of playing professional football.
Fuller is found guilty
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published June 5, 2008
A Paris jury Wednesday found Michael Charles Fuller, 37, a
former Paris High School football star, guilty of sexual assault
of a child and indecency with a child.
The sentencing hearing began immediately after the conviction
and continued today.
The case stems from 2001 allegations Fuller molested and had
sexual contact with the 15-year-old daughter of his girlfriend
at the time.
It was the second time a Paris jury has found Fuller guilty.
In the first, in 2005, Fuller was given an eight-year prison
sentence on the sexual assault and five years each on two counts
of indecency with a child, but in March of 2007, the 6th Appellate
District of Texas reversed the conviction because of “ineffective
assistance.”
Fuller was jailed in December 2001 and remained there until
April 2002. He was jailed again before his trial in December
2005, and has spent more than three years incarcerated.
After the reversal of his first conviction, Fuller was released
on bond until his second trial.
After the second conviction, 62nd District Court Judge Scott
McDowell remanded Fuller back into custody, awaiting the results
of the sentencing phase of his trial.
In Wednesday’s testimony, the victim, now 22, told in
detail about the sexual encounters that led her to turn Fuller
in.
Her accounts that led to the indecency charges were that he
touched her between the legs and exposed himself to her in separate
incidents and that he later assaulted her sexually.
She said Fuller had moved into the home with her, her brother
and her mother, and that she did not like him from the beginning.
Defense attorney Dave Turner attempted to show the 15-year-old
did not like Fuller and her mother’s attention toward him
and therefore made up the stories to get rid of him.
Prosecutor Gary Young told jurors: “The defense arguments
make no sense, because the 15-year-old eventually began to “get
along” with Fuller, and he even bought her presents.”
Testimony from the mother revealed Fuller lived in the home
but never paid any of the bills and seldom worked, and she even
paid for him to attend football camp.
Young said he made an agreement with the mother that he would
train to get a pro-football contract while she worked to support
them.
“That was a pipe dream, 11 years after he had played
any organized football,” Young said.
Jurors took less than an hour to return a conviction.
In the punishment phase, a woman now serving time for prescription
fraud, told the court how Fuller also had sexual relations with
her, picking her up at North Lamar High School to have sex with
her from the time she was 14 until she was 18.
She said at the time she thought she was in love with him,
but looking back “it was all a big mistake,” that resulted
in her getting pregnant and having a miscarriage.
It was revealed that later she attempted suicide and had deep
emotional and mental problems.
“I was suffering from a miscarriage, and he got mad because
I got pregnant,” she said.
Turner attempted to show she brought the story to the district
attorney’s attention because she wanted to get a lighter
sentence on her fraud conviction.
“I wanted a lighter sentence, but they would not do that,”
she said.
Four Lamar County law enforcement officers testified Fuller
had a long history of unlawful behavior going back to the early
1990s.
The victim’s mother testified she is still in love with
Fuller.
Young told jurors the young victim “did not get along
that well with her mother, and there were some typical teenage
things going on, and she didn’t know whether or not she
could tell her mom while the incidents were going on.”
It was after her mom learned she had taken a pregnancy test,
Fuller was turned in to child protective services, and the investigation
led to the charges against him.
Sentencing phase continues today in 62nd District Court.
Magazine publisher pleads guilty
to fraud
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published June 1, 2008
Brown offered his plea before 62nd District Court Judge Scott
McDowell Friday.
McDowell then sentenced Brown to two years state jail time
but probated that sentence for five years. He also ordered restitution
of the more than $7,620. Lamar County and District Attorney Gary
Young said he owed both subscribers and advertisers.
Brown paid half the restitution, and was ordered to pay the
remaining half during the five years of probation.
The full color publication that grabbed the attention of the
up-and-comers of Paris ceased publication in March of 2007 without
notice to subscribers or advertisers.
Complete Printing & Publishing in Carthage said they contracted
to print the magazine on a publication by publication basis but
never received payment for the second edition and never received
any materials to print on the third.
Contributors to the magazine and advertisers said they were
not given any notification of the magazine’s situation and
were shocked to hear of Brown’s departure.
It was later learned, Brown had moved to Dallas, but he gave
no explanation on why he abruptly left Paris.
“Anytime we have victims who have been defrauded of money,
our goal is to get restitution,” Young said. “In this
case, Mr. Brown is now a convicted felon, and we caution anybody
doing business with him again.”
May 8, 2008
30 years in prison for repeat
DWI
Leslie Gene Goodman, 47 of Paris, was found guilty by a jury
Thursday for his third driving while intoxicated charge stemming
from a February 2006 incident.
The jury returned after just 10 minutes of deliberation. District
Judge Scott McDowell assessed punishment at 30 years in prison.
Goodman's status as a repeat offender mandated a minimum of
25 years incarceration. Records show he spent time in prison
for felony theft and aggravated robbery. His prior misdemeanor
DWI arrests were in 1991 and 1999.
"People drinking alcohol and driving on our streets is,
and always will be, dangerous," said assistant county and
district attorney Jill Drake, who was assisted by prosecutor
Bill Harris.
"Among all the things becoming more accepted in our society,
endangering the lives of other drivers because of bad choices
involving alcohol is not one of them - at least not in Lamar
County," Mrs. Drake said.
Goodman was accused of striking a telephone poll at the intersection
of Simpson and 20th SE streets with the pickup he was driving.
Police reports indicated he fled the scene on foot and was apprehended
in a nearby neighborhood.
Paris police officers Mike Ford and Sam Owens testified, as
did a chemist and nurse from Paris Regional Medical Center. A
civilian witness also testified to seeing Goodman behind the
wheel of the pickup and running away from the accident scene.
Evidence revealed Goodman's blood alcohol level was .274,
more than three times the legal limit of .08.
Goodman was represented by defense attorneys James Rodgers and
Gary Waite of Paris.
Man found guilty of child molestation
case
Staff reports
The Paris
News
Published April 27, 2008
A Lamar County jury deliberated one hour Friday before finding
39-year-old Emmit Upton of Paris guilty of molesting a child.
Upton was charged with aggravated sexual assault and indecency
with a child stemming from a February 2007 incident.
The child reported the assault to a school official the morning
after and an interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center
followed.
After the jury verdict, prosecutors and defense attorneys
reached a punishment deal of 20 years in prison on each of two
counts, to run concurrently.
District Judge Jim Lovett approved the sentence.
“This child had the courage to come forward and tell
what happened, and thankfully, a sexual assault exam was performed
and medical evidence proved it,” Lamar County and District
Attorney Gary Young said.
Lead prosecutor Jill Drake put forth the state’s case.
The child testified before the jury, as well as forensic interviewer
Rebecca Peevy, sexual assault nurse Peyton McMon-igle and Paris
Police Sgt. Shane Boatwright.
Defense attorney Ben Massar told the jury inconsistencies
in the child’s story led him to believe she was lying.
Prosecutors said the inconsistencies were small, but “the
core message, the truth about what he did, was consistent each
time the child had to tell the story.”
“These are not easy cases,” Young said. “But
we are blessed to have an excellent resource in the Child Advocacy
Center and in our sexual assault nurses who, in this case, were
able to connect the dots with proof we don’t sometimes have.”
Upton must serve a minimum 10 years before parole eligibility.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2008
Paris man guilty of molesting girl
A Lamar County jury deliberated one hour Friday and found
Emmit Upton, 39 of Paris, guilty of molesting a child.
Upton was charged with aggravated sexual assault and indecency
with a child stemming from a February 2007 incident. The child
reported the assault to a school official the morning after and
an interview at the Children's Advocacy Center followed involving
law enforcement.
After the jury's verdict, prosecutors and defense attorney
Ben Massar reached a punishment deal of 20 years in prison on
each of two counts, to be run concurrently. District Judge Jim
Lovett approved the sentence following a day-long trial of testimony
Thursday.
"This child had the courage to come forward and tell
what happened and, thankfully, a sexual assault exam was performed
and medical evidence proved it," said Gary Young, Lamar
County and District Attorney.
Lead prosecutor Jill Drake put forth the state's case where
the child testified before the jury, along with forensic interviewer
Rebecca Peevy, sexual assault nurse Peyton McMonigle, and Sgt.
Shane Boatwright of the Paris police.
Inconsistencies in the child's statements immediately after
the incident and on the witness stand led the defense to allege
the child was lying. Prosecutors, through expert witness information,
pointed to small differences in the details but said, "The
core message, the truth about what he did, was consistent each
time the child had to tell the story," Mrs. Drake said.
"These are not easy cases," Young said. "But
we are blessed to have an excellent resource in the child advocacy
center and in our sexual assault nurses who, in this case, were
able to connect the dots with proof we don't sometimes have."
Upton must serve a minimum 10 years before parole eligibility.
Young's office said he will likely serve 15-18 years based on
current parole trends.
Wear blue ribbons to champion
victims
Staff reports
The Paris
News
Published March 27, 2008
Years of abuse are still in the young woman’s memory,
but she has moved beyond considering herself a victim.
She is now a survivor.
Several area agencies are teaming up to honor her and others
like her during the month of April.
April 13-19 is designated as National Crime Victims’
Rights Week and the entire month is National Child Abuse Prevention
Month.
CASA for Kids, Children’s Advocacy Center, adult and
juvenile probation, Lamar County Child Welfare Board, SAFE-T
Crisis Center, Northeast Texas Opportunities and other groups
have joined forces to bring attention to those injured by crimes
like domestic violence and child abuse.
“Blue ribbons worn on the lapel indicate a person advocates
or champions victims’ rights and wants to see an end to
violence against people,” Allan Hubbard, victim witness
coordinator for the Lamar County and District Attorney’s
Office, said.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday, April
3, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Paris with a reception
to follow.
Sunday, April 6, is “Blue Sunday,” and people are
encouraged to wear blue ribbons to church with bells ringing
at 11 a.m. in honor of children.
Coinciding with Week of the Young Child, special readers will
be on hand at Paris Public Library April 13-18. A ceremony honoring
victims will be at Lamar County Courthouse 2 p.m. Tuesday, April
22, where a wall of honor is temprarily erected on the first
floor.
“In addition, a visually striking display of hundreds
of pairs of shoes will be in the courthouse with each pair representing
a child hurt by abuse,” Hubbard said.
For more information, contact Adelaide Reynolds at CASA, 903-737-4346.
For immediate release
March 5, 2008
Felony DWI offender found guilty by jury
A Lamar County jury Wednesday found a Blossom man guilty of
his third driving while intoxicated offense.
James Matthew Patterson, 25, was stopped by Texas Department
of Public Safety trooper Greg Wilson in early morning hours July
1, 2007, after a three-mile high-speed chase. Trooper Wilson
testified Patterson was intoxicated, evaded arrest, and reached
speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.
The jury watched the trooper's in-car video from the arrest
as well as Patterson's unsuccessful attempts at field sobriety
tests. Patterson was sentenced to 10 years probation and completion
of a prison-based drug and alcohol treatment program by 62nd
District Judge Scott McDowell.
Patterson testified in his own defense and admitted to drinking
five beers and part of another over a 10-hour period. He told
the jury he was not intoxicated and that he pulled over as soon
as he saw trooper Wilson's flashing lights.
The jury acquitted him of the evading arrest charge.
"Upon release from the prison rehabilitation program,
which usually takes about a year, Patterson will spend the remainder
of 10 years on probation," Assistant Lamar County and District
Attorney Calvin Grogan said. "Hopefully, he'll learn his
lesson during his rehab stay and will not be dangerous on our
roads again."
Patterson was previously convicted for two misdemeanor DWI
arrests in 2001 and 2002.
Patterson was represented by defense attorney Barney Sawyer of
Paris.
Drug manufacturing plea brings
20-year sentence
Staff reports
Special to The
Paris News
Published February 24, 2008
Lonnie Earl “Snowman” Robins, 39, of Paris, pleaded
guilty Friday before County Court-at-Law Judge Deanne Loughmiller
to manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance stemming
from a July 2007 sting operation using an undercover buyer.
Robins agreed to a 20-year sentence as part of his plea.
He will spend at least the next 10 years behind bars for dealing
drugs, Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young said.
Paris Police narcotics officers with the Felony Crimes Unit
nabbed Robins after secretly videotaping him selling nine grams
of crack cocaine.
Due to the transaction taking place within 1,000 feet of a
daycare center in a drug free zone, Robins must spend a minimum
of half his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Known on the streets as “Snowman,” Robins’
lengthy criminal history in Lamar County dates to 1991 and includes
prior violent crimes such as aggravated assault, deadly conduct
and unlawfully carrying a weapon, in addition to burglary.
“Thanks to officers who did their job, and did it well,
Mr. Robins and his drugs will be out of commission for several
years,” Young said. “Hopefully, any dealer thinking
about taking his place will consider the consequences and that
we have these investigators who use all available means to go
after dealers.”
Robins was represented by defense attorney Jeff Starnes of
Paris.
February 22, 2008
Prison for known Paris drug dealer
Lonnie Earl "Snowman" Robins will spend "at
least the next 10 years" behind bars for dealing drugs,
according to Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young.
Robins, 39 of Paris, pled guilty Friday before County Court-at-Law
Judge Deanne Loughmiller to manufacturing or delivery of a controlled
substance stemming from a July 2007 sting operation using an
undercover buyer. Robins agreed to a 20-year sentence as part
of his plea.
Paris Police narcotics officers with the Felony Crimes Unit
nabbed Robins after secretly videotaping him selling nine grams
of crack cocaine. Due to the transaction taking place within
1,000 feet of a daycare center in a Drug Free Zone, Robins must
spend a minimum of half his sentence before being eligible for
parole.
Known on the streets as "Snowman," Robins' lengthy
criminal history in Lamar County dates back to 1991 and includes
prior violent crimes such as aggravated assault, deadly conduct
and unlawfully carrying a weapon in addition to burglary. Officers'
intelligence information had Robins pegged as a principal drug
dealer in the Paris area.
"Thanks to officers who did their job, and did it well,
Mr. Robins and his drugs will be out of commission for several
years," Young said. "Hopefully, any dealer thinking
about taking his place will consider the consequences and that
we have these investigators who use all available means to go
after dealers."
Robins was represented by defense attorney Jeff Starnes of
Paris.
Judge affirms conviction
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published February 7, 2008
Sixth Judicial District Court of Appeals has affirmed the
conviction of James Rene Hayes on three charges of possession
of a controlled substance.
Hayes was sentenced to 99-years in prison in Judge Jim Lovett’s
6th District Court in Lamar County and ordered to pay a $20,000
fine.
Hayes appealed the convictions because he said there was perjured
testimony, that the evidence was insufficient and the expert
witness testimony was without adequate evidence of the opinions’
reliability.
He also said his counsel was constitutionally ineffective.
The appeals court overruled each of Hayes claims in his appeal.
In ruling, the appeals court stated: “Failure to make
the required showing of either deficient performance or sufficient
prejudice defeats the ineffectiveness claim. The appellant bears
the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that
counsel was ineffective. We find that, under these circumstances
and based on the state of the record before us, Hayes has not
carried that burden. This point of error is overruled. We affirm
the judgment of the trial court.”
Confessed meth dealer gets two
prison sentences
Staff reports
Special to The
Paris News
Published January 27, 2008
A Lamar County jury late Friday handed a confessed drug dealer
20- and 12-year prison sentences after a guilty plea to charges
involving methamphetamine.
Charles Terrell McClure, 40, of Grant, Okla., took the stand
in his own defense after police officers from two states said
McClure was a known dealer who they finally caught in March 2007
on a traffic stop that traversed the Red River.
McClure pleaded guilty to charges of delivery of a controlled
substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance before 6th District Judge Jim Lovett.
The jury was summoned to assess punishment.
Lovett set the sentences to run concurrently and imposed a
$1,000 fine in each case.
“When you do the numbers, this man sold enough drugs
to result in a profit of more than $100,000,” Lamar County
and District Attorney Gary Young said.
Testimony indicated McClure took over his deceased brother’s
drug dealing business “and made all the profit for himself,”
Young said.
McClure told of selling meth while on duty in his official
job inside the city limits of Paris.
The jury heard from officers that McClure was caught with
50 grams, but McClure told the court he had sold more than 1,300
grams over a nine-month period.
Choctaw County law enforcement officers testified McClure
and his family have been involved in drug dealing in Oklahoma
“for years.”
Paris Police narcotics officers told how McClure cut and packaged
the drugs, outlined how much profit was made per unit of usage
and how the drugs were found in McClure’s truck during the
traffic stop.
It was McClure’s first felony arrest, and he was eligible
for probation, but instead received prison time.
“He had no prior criminal problems at all,” Young
said.
January 25, 2008
Confessed drug dealer gets prison from jury
A Lamar County jury handed a self-confessed drug dealer 20
and 12 year prison sentences late Friday after he pleaded guilty
to charges involving methamphetamine.
Charles Terrell McClure, 40 of Grant, Oklahoma, took the stand
in his own defense after police officers from two states said
McClure was a known dealer who they finally caught up with in
March 2007 on a traffic stop that traversed the Red River.
McClure pleaded guilty to charges of delivery of a controlled
substances and possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance before state district Judge Jim Lovett. The jury was
summoned to assess punishment. Lovett set the sentences to run
concurrently and imposed a $1,000 fine in each case.
"When you do the numbers, this man sold enough drugs
to result in a profit of more than $100,000," Lamar County
and District Attorney Gary Young said. Testimony included that
McClure took over his deceased brother's drug dealing business
"and made all the profit for himself," Young said.
McClure admitted to selling meth while on duty in his official
job inside the city limits of Paris. The jury heard from officers
that McClure was caught with 50 grams, but McClure admitted to
having sold more than 1,300 grams over a nine-month period.
Choctaw County law enforcement testified McClure and his family
have been drug dealers in their stretch of Oklahoma "for
years," Young said. Paris Police narcotics officers explained
how McClure cut and packaged the drugs, outlined how much profit
was made per unit of usage, and how the drugs were found in McClure's
truck during the stop.
This was McClure's first felony arrest and he was eligible
for probation. "He had no prior criminal problems at all,"
Young said.
Guilty plea brings 10-year sentence
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published January 23, 2008
Brandon Eugene Washington, 20, Tuesday was handed a 10-year
sentence in Texas Department of Criminal Justice after he offered
a guilty plea in a September 2007 aggravated armed robbery of
the Speedy Stop, 1900 Clarksville, in Paris.
“Given that this was aggravated because he used a weapon,
Mr. Washington must spend at least five years day-for-day in
TDCJ before being eligible for parole,” Lamar County and
District Attorney Gary Young said.
The Clarksville man, 19 at the time of the robbery, carried
a small pistol into the store and demanded money, but the clerk
did not believe the pistol was real, so she refused to give him
money.
He ran from the store and led police on an hour-long foot
chase before being captured.
The store clerk was shaken when she found the pistol was real.
Editorial: County attorney’s
office doing a good job
Staff reports
The Paris
News
Published January 14, 2008
Criminals in Lamar County are quick to draw the attention
of local law enforcement backed by a county attorney’s office
that remains tough on crime.
Law enforcement reacts quickly to get criminals off the streets,
and the county attorney’s office acts equally quickly to
keep them off the streets.
Even misdemeanor crime gets much attention in the county.
County and District Attorney Gary Young’s office got
convictions in 2,343 misdemeanor cases in the past year, taking
hundreds of small-time criminals off the streets and discouraging
others from committing the same criminal acts again.
Young’s office also fought for and obtained 639 felony
convictions during the year, making sure Lamar County citizens
are safer.
Despite the new trend for early release of felons, Young has
continued to rid the streets of offenders and has been quick
to get re-offenders off the streets.
The county attorney’s office has worked well with law
enforcement agencies, and those agencies have responded by increasing
their efforts to put big offenders in jail.
Narcotics investigators have stepped up their efforts to sweep
the streets of those who manufacture illegal drugs and those
who deal drugs.
That also puts a damper on the crimes users commit to maintain
drug habits.
Young’s office has been firm on drug dealers, and that
is making a difference in Lamar County.
It might be noted that it is an election year, but Young has
been such a strong force in the county attorney’s office,
no one has stepped forward to contest him in the elections.
He must be doing a good job.
Tigertown teen gets 10-year sentence
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published January 11, 2008
A Lamar County jury sentenced a 14-year-old boy to 10 years
Thursday in an intoxication manslaughter case resulting from
an accident near Tigertown that killed his friend.
The teenager will remain in custody, pending an appeal to
the 6th Appelate District of Texas in Texarkana.
The results of that appeal will determine if the youngster
is sent to Texas Youth Commission to serve at least two years
before being brought back to Lamar County for a hearing to determine
the rest of his sentence.
Martin Harder, 16, died Dec. 2, when he was thrown from a
vehicle driven by the 14 year old as it rolled and skidded along
FM 38 near Tigertown.
The vehicle had missed a curve in the road, and the driver
lost control.
Five youngsters were in the car at the time, the oldest 16,
and Department of Public Safety troopers said most if not all
were intoxicated.
The driver had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood
— .166 blood alcohol.
None had driver’s licenses.
The youngsters were Mexican citizens and members of the Mennonite
community in Tigertown.
“This is a collision of cultures involving a community
of quiet, decent, honest people who have now come in direct contact
with our criminal justice system,” said prosecuting attorney
Bill Harris in his summation before the jury.
“This is a crime. Someone is dead,” he said.
“Can you imagine the pain of knowing a son is never coming
home again, and that his life ended in a body bag out on the
highway.”
Prosecutor Jill Drake told the jury: “This young man
needs to learn appropriate values and learn appropriate responses.
He has committed many crimes but he has just not been caught.
It is a lack of supervision. Now we have promises, but no plan
from the family.”
Drake said the teenager may not appear to be headstrong, but
he is.
“He is probation eligible but not probation worthy,”
she said. “He needs an education.”
Defense attorney Ben Massar told the jury: “This is a
horrible accident, He will be punished for the rest of his life
for being a contributing factor in the death of his friend, but
accidents happen.”
Massar said he is just a shy, softspoken someone who took
responsibility for his actions.
“He pleaded guilty. He has his own community to help
him,” he said.
Massar asked the jury not to send the youngster into a situation
with hardened criminals.
“He did not mean to do it,” he said. “He is
just 14 years old.”
Two other youngsters and the driver received injuries in the
accident.
The jury took just over an hour in the sentencing phase, sending
out four notes to the judge to get confirmation on various issues
of the sentencing.
Drake told the jury: “This is a direct result of conscious
decisions the youngster made leading up to the fatal car crash.
He dropped out of school at age 12, was drinking at age 14 and
driving at age 14 and all those decisions caused a wreck that
caused a death.”
Apparently the jury listened, forming the sentence around
the premise this was more than just a horrible accident.
Jury to deliberate fate of Tigertown
teen
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published January 10, 2008
Prosecution and defense rested their case Wednesday in the
disposition hearing for a 14-year-old boy who allegedly was double
the state’s legal blood alcohol limit when he was involved
in a traffic accident that killed his friend near Tigertown Dec.
2.
The teenager offered a “true” plea earlier this
week to a charge of intoxication manslaughter, and the hearing
in 62nd District Court in Lamar County is to decide his punishment.
He could receive anything from probation to 20 years confinement.
Summations began earlier today, and the fate of the youngster
is expected to be in the hands of a jury of eight women and four
men.
Testimony in the disposition hearing said the teenager had
a .166 blood alcohol level when he rolled his family vehicle
on FM 38 near Tigertown.
Texas Department of Public Service officer Thomas Curry told
jurors the youngster, with four passengers in his father’s
GMC Jimmy, was well over the speed limit when he failed to negotiate
a curve, lost control and the vehicle rolled along an accident
path that covered 750 feet.
One of the five youngsters, Martin Harder, 16, was thrown
from the car and crushed beneath it.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two others received severe injuries and were rushed, along
with the teenage driver, to Paris Regional Medical Center, South
Campus.
Nurse Kim Miller described helping the youngsters and watching
the blood sample being taken that showed the teenager to be twice
the state’s legal alcohol limit of .08 blood alcohol.
Paris Police Sgt. Shane Boatright and Paris Assistant Police
Chief Bob Hundley testified about the wreck scene, including
how the vehicle failed to make a curve, overcorrected and rolled,
ejecting three of the youngsters.
The only uninjured survivor of the accident described the
events leading up to the crash.
He said three of the boys, all below the age of 16 and none
with driver’s licenses, left Tigertown early in the day,
picked up two girls in Petty and went to a restaurant in Paris.
From there, they took the girls home, picked up two other
boys and headed back to the Tigertown area.
The accident happened just after 3 p.m., along the route home.
The 14-year-old driver, his mother and father all testified
at the disposition hearing, saying they could handle the rules
of probation if the jury hands down that determination.
Debbie Kennedy of the Lamar County Juvenile Probation Office
recommended the jury send the teenager to the Texas Youth Commission
“so he could get the treatment he needs.”
She said he needs alcohol counseling and education and other
forms of counseling.
“I have concerns the family can handle the rules of probation,”
she said. “I think they will find it difficult to comply
with the rules of the court because that is not what is expected
in their community.”
All of the youngsters involved in the accident had dropped
out of school, and one of the requirements of probation would
be the 14-year old would have to return to school and get an
education.
The young driver of the vehicle is a Mexican citizen and a
member of the Mennonite community near Tigertown.
Prosecutors in the case are assistant county attorneys Bill
Harris and Jill Drake. Defense attorney is Ben Massar.
Tigertown teen enters plea in
auto accident
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published January 8, 2008
A 14-year-old boy charged with intoxication manslaughter has
entered a “true” pleading in 62nd District Court and
the sentencing phase will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
The teenager was the driver of a vehicle in a rollover accident
Dec. 2 near Tigertown.
He was one of four teenagers in the vehicle.
One youngster was killed and two injured, and State Department
of Public Safety investigators said alcohol was involved in the
mishap.
The teenager has remained in custody since the accident, with
prosecutors contending he would be a flight risk since he is
a Mexican citizen.
County, district attorney’s
office reports progress
By Bill Hankins
The Paris
News
Published January 6, 2008
In 2007, Young and his prosecutors took a bite out of crime
in every area, including everything from misdemeanor offenses
to major felonies.
Young’s office recorded 639 felony convictions, with
431 cases resulting in prison, state jail or county jail time.
Probation was handed out in 208 felony cases.
Grand jury indictments brought in 470 cases.
“We had defendants pleading guilty in 2007 to significant
sentences because our record has shown, and local juries have
shown, they are tough on crime and not letting folks off easy
in the courtroom,” Young said.
Young’s office disposed of 2,343 misdemeanor cases with
convictions.
In those cases, $140, 863.92 in restitution was ordered for
the victims.
The handling of hot check cases added $424,578.76 in restitution
for merchants and fees collected.
Young said in the past year, there was a decrease in the number
of jury trials compared to years past.
He attributed that to lawbreakers awareness the county is
getting tougher on criminal cases.
Convictions in the past year have included a six-time drunk
driver sentenced to eight years, a 15-year sentence for evading
arrest, 30 years in prison for domestic assault and 10 years
for rape of a child.
A methamphetamine dealer drew a 40-year sentence, getting
him off the streets for a significant time. Another meth dealer
was handed a 22-year prison term.
A drug dealer who prosecutors say was nabbed with the most
methamphetamine in any bust in the Paris area was handed a 40-year
sentence by 6th District Judge Jim Lovett.
Jeffery Duane Merritt, 39, of Blossom, was previously sentenced
in the federal system and is currently serving a 10-year sentence
for conspiracy to distribute meth. Judge Lovett added 40 years
state time to run when Merritt’s federal time has concluded.
Merritt also received seven years for a possession charge, which
he will serve after the 40-year sentence concludes.
Merritt must serve a minimum 25 years on the sentence due
to the finding he had intent to distribute methamphetamine in
a drug free zone.
A 27-year-old man was handed a 20-year prison sentence after
being found guilty of child abuse of his girlfriend’s child,
and the man who struck an elderly lady in the head was handed
an eight-year prison term. His attack apparently was random and
unprovoked.
One of two suspects in the botched robbery attempt in the
summer of 2007 at the Speedy Cash store on Lamar Avenue offered
a guilty plea and was sentenced to seven years in the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice.
Dierdric Darnell Dorsey, 29, was sentenced by 62nd District
Court Judge Scott McDowell to seven years.
A second suspect, Derrick Deshaun Ransome, told prosecutors
he would plead guilty, but changed his mind and is being held
over for trial.
Dorsey was lucky to get only prison time in the case. A clerk
fired shots at the pair attempting the robbery, but missed. She
said her intent was not to miss.
Victims of crime in Lamar County included mistreated animals.
A misdemeanor Lamar County jury found a 61-year-old Paris
man guilty of animal cruelty.
The man pleaded to a two-year probated sentence after the
jury deliberated 45 minutes. He faced up to one year in county
jail, but waived his right to appeal as a condition of probation.
Cited numerous times by City of Paris Animal Control for boarding
a large number of dogs at his home in southeast Paris, the man
was the subject of routine calls from neighbors who complained
of animal odors, noise and what they described as poor living
conditions.
It was a busy year for Young’s office despite the decrease
in jury trials, and 289 active cases are still on the books to
be handled in the first few months of this year.
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