Upon arrival, they encountered a 35-year-old Sulphur Springs man alleged to have been involved in a fight. Hopkins County EMS was called to check Robert Earl Hawkins Jr. for injuries but he refused treatment, Castro alleged in arrest reports.
A records check showed Hawkins to be wanted on two charges, a misdemeanor theft of service warrant and an indictment for a July 8, 2020 burglary of a habitation charge, according to arrest reports. Consequently, Hawkins was taken into custody and booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:03 a.m. Jan. 1, 2021, according to arrest reports.
Hawkins remained in jail late Saturday morning, Jan. 2, 2021. His bond was set at $50,000 on the burglary charge and $1,000 on the theft charge, according to jail reports.
The arrest was the four time he has been jailed in Hopkins County within the last year. Jail records show in 2020 Hawkins was jailed on:
Jan. 6 on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and a no seat belt warrant;
March 15 for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; and
Aug. 26, on warrants for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing and insufficient bond on the March 15 controlled substance charge.
Jail reports also show it wasn’t the first time Hawkins has been booked into Hopkins County jail on burglary charges. He was sentenced to five years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 2010 on a burglary and on March 6, 2016 was jailed for violation of parole on the burglary of a habitation, according to HCSO jail records.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Victor Reyna also responded at 1:32 a.m. Jan. 1, 2021 to a disturbance in the 1500 block of East Industrial Drive. Upon arrival, Reyna reported finding a 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man. Reyna deemed the man to be intoxicated to the degree he was a danger to himself and others and took him to jail, where he was booked at 2:35 a.m. New Year’s Day 2021 on a Class C misdemeanor public intoxication charge, according to arrest reports. The 27-year-old was released from custody later Jan. 1 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Two women were jailed on possession charges following two separate traffic stops on New Year’s Day, according to arrest reports.
FM 275 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s OfficeDeputy Nick Marney reported stopping a tan and gray sport utility vehicle at 8:19 p.m. Jan. 1, 2021, on FM 275 south at County Road 4792 for defective license plate lights.
No HCSO jail photo available for Shantel Jane Lewis-Charland
Marney, in arrest reports, claimed he could smell a marijuana odor emitting from the SUV while speaking to the driver, identified in arrest reports as 33-year-old Shantel Jane Lewis-Charland of Cumby. Consequently, Marney conducted a probable cause search of the SUV. The deputy reported finding a blue cotton bag contained about 8 Mason jars and a large bag with a green, leafy substance he believed to be marijuana during the search.
Lewis-Charland was taken into custody at 8:55 p.m., then transported to jail. The SUV was released to her family members who later arrived at the location, according to arrest reports. The 33-year-old Cumby woman was booked into jail at 12:14 a.m. Jan. 1, 2021, on a felony possession of four ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, according to arrest reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail late Saturday morning, Jan. 2, 2021 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff
Interstate 30 Traffic Stop
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reported stopping a white Dodge Charger at 1:20 p.m. Jan. 1, 2021, on Interstate 30 at mile marker 125 for speeding and an improperly placed license plate.
A records check showed the 19-year-old Fort Worth woman driving to be wanted on Garland misdemeanor warrants for driving while intoxicated and possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance. The teen was booked into Hopkins County jail on both warrants, according to arrest reports. She also remained in Hopkins County jail late Saturday morning, Jan. 2, 2021, on the warrants, according to jail reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol vehicle
KSST Radio does not post the names and photos of people accused of misdemeanor offenses, only those of individuals accused of felony offenses.
After contacting with the 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man driving, Whaley reported conducting a probable cause search of the SUV. Several rectangular shaped pills, divided into four sections and later identified as Xanax, were found in the pocket of the man’s hoodie inside the vehicle, Whaley alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department patrol vehicle
The driver, identified in arrest reports as Devonta Qukashawn Brown, was taken into custody and jailed at 9:22 p.m. Jan. 2 on a possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone as the stop occurred less than 1,000 feet from a drug-free zone, according to Whaley noted in arrest reports. Brown was released from Hopkins County jail Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 on a $5,000 bond on the charge, according to arrest reports.
Saturday was the second time Brown was booked into Hopkins County jail in three months. He was a also jailed Oct. 9 on a no insurance/failure to maintain financial responsibility charge and no valid driver’s license charge, according to Hopkins County jail records.
While speaking to a 51-year-old Sulphur Springs woman in the minivan, Chaney said he suspected her to be under the influence of methamphetamine based on her actions. Mary Angela Denton allegedly took deep breaths and long inhales, and her lower jaw moved seemingly uncontrollably from let to right, a sign of bruxism. So, Chaney said he asked her if she had anything illegal in the vehicle and requested permission to search the minivan.
She became emotional and admitted to having a pipe used to smoke narcotics, Chaney noted in arrest reports. Chaney and HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis, who responded with Chaney on the traffic stop, advised Denton to exit the vehicle. Due to her emotional state, the deputies reported they put her in handcuffs prior to conducting a vehicle search.
The deputies allegedly found a bag with less than 1 gram of a crystal-like substance they believed to be methamphetamine and a burned glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke meth in a small handbag. Additional drug paraphernalia also was allegedly located, according to arrest reports.
As a result, Denton was jailed for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group one controlled substance. She was released from jail Jan. 3, 2021 on a $5,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Interstate 30 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s OfficeSgt. Richard Greer reported stopping a black Nissan Rogue at 1:10 p.m. Sunday for traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 119.
Upon contact with the driver, Greer noted the 42-year-old Dallas woman appeared to be agitated and under the influence of an unknown type of narcotic. Geer further alleged the woman, identified in arrest reports as Shanna Kay Segleski, to be evasive when speaking with him and when answering questions, claiming to she’d been speeding because she needed to urinate.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office vehicle
Segleski reportedly agreed to allow the SUV to be searched. Greer reported finding in the front passenger area of the vehicle a lockbox containing a bag with a crystal-like substance he believed based on his many years of experience in law enforcement to be methamphetamine, as well as a couple of baggies with what appeared to Greer to be marijuana or hashish and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
The lockbox and contents were seized as evidence and Segleski was jailed for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports. Segleski remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Gaines Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs PoliceOfficer Cameron Robinson Jan. 3 reported seeing a woman he recognized as Cecily Elizabeth Saffel, a woman he knew had a suspended driver’s license, driving a Pontiac Solstice on WA Street at Martin Luther King Drive. Robinson stopped Saffel at 4:25 p.m. Sunday on Gaines Street at Fuller Street, and verified the woman’s license was indeed suspended with previous convictions for driving while license invalid. So, the officer took the 25-year-old Sulphur Springs woman into custody for driving while license invalid, according to arrest reports.
Cecily Elizabeth Saffel (HCSO jail photo)
Saffel allegedly admitted to concealing contraband on her. At the jail, 3.7 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine were recovered, according to police reports. Consequently, Saffel was also charge with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone, according to arrest reports.
Saffel remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Bond was set at $1,000 on the driver’s license charge, according to jail reports. Saffel was booked into Hopkins County jail three times in 2020: on Jan. 31, 2020, on warrants for driving while license invalid and not taking care of a failure to maintain financial responsibility charge; Oct. 1 for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana in a drug-free zone; and on Oct. 5 for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail records.
Two men were sentenced on one felony charge each Jan. 4 in district court, according to court reports.
Rowdy Dee Duvall (HCSO jail photo)
Rowdy Dee Duvall was scheduled to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court at 10 a.m. Jan. 4 for a sentence on an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. The offense was alleged to have occurred on March 2, 2019.
The third-degree felony charge stems from a traffic stop on Jefferson Street around 2:45 a.m. March 2, 2019. Sulphur Springs PoliceCpl. Chris Rosamond reportedly stopped Duvall for failure to signal a turn. A probable cause search of the Lincoln Continental yielded a handgun within reach of both Duvall and a Andrea Nicole White of Winnsboro, whose criminal histories included a felony conviction, resulting in both being charged with possession a firearm by a felon, Rosamond alleged in 2019 arrest reports.
The 41-year-old Winnsboro man’s jail records show he was in jail in Hopkins County from June 1-Nov. 9, 2017 and from March 3-29, 2018, on violation on violation of parole charges.
Duvall was also alleged to have 1.7 grams of a substance believed to be methamphetamine in his possession, resulting in the 41-year-old Winnsboro man also being charged on March 2, 2019, with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance. March 2, 2019 was the second time he was arrested Duvall was arrested in Hopkins County on a controlled substance charge; he was also jailed June 1-Nov. 9, 2017, for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1, according to jail reports.
He was indicted in April 2019 on the firearm charge. Duvall has been in Hopkins County jail since he turned himself in at the sheriff’s office on Jan. 3, 2021, on a warrant for violating probation on the unlawful possession of a firearm charge, according to jail reports.
Duvall has been sentenced to 25 years in jail on the firearm charge, according to the prosecutors.
Rudolpho Gonzales (HCSO jail photo)
Rudolpho Gonzales was also scheduled to appear before 8th Judicial District Judge Robert Newsom during the 10 a.m. court session on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, to receive the judge’s ruling on sentencing for an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle or watercraft charge.
The 47-year-old was arrested Sept. 24, 2019, on the evading arrest charge as well as a reckless driving charge. He also had a warrant out of Dallas for insufficient bond on a criminal trespass charge, according to jail reports. Gonzales remained in Hopkins County jail until June 16, 2020 on the charges.
Gonzales, who is also known by Rudy Gonzales, Rudolfo Gonzales, Rudolfo Sergio Gonzalez, Rudopho Sergio Gonzales, Rudy Sergio Gonzales, Rud and Rudolpho Sergio Gonzales, returned to Hopkins County jail on Nov. 12, 2020 for bond forfeiture on the evading arrest charge, and has remained in custody ever since. His bond was originally set at $10,000 in 2019 and his new bond was set at $20,000 on the evading arrest charge in 2020.
According to jail reports, Gonzales had a prior felony conviction at the time of his arrest in 2019. He was jailed June 14, 2018 on a burglary of a building warrant and an unauthorized use of a vehicle warrant. He was was indicted July 19, 2018 on both charge, then, pled guilty and was sentenced on Oct. 9, 2018, to one year of state jail time on the burglary of a building charge, according to court records.
Gonzales also was sentenced Jan. 4, 2021, by the judge to 35 years on the Sept. 24, 2019 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle or watercraft charge, according to prosecutors.
Two people were jailed in Hopkins County on controlled substance charges and one on a marijuana charge on Tuesday, and another man was jailed early Wednesday morning on a marijuana charge as well, according to arrest reports.
He reported finding Rachui sitting in a black Dodge Ram pickup, from which an odor of marijuana emitted. The Sulphur Springs woman allegedly handed Mayes a pipe with unsmoked marijuana in it. A search of the truck allegedly revealed a glass pipe of the type used to smoke methamphetamine and a small baggy containing a crystal-like substance Mayes believed to be methamphetamine.
Mayes arrested Rachui at 3:08 p.m. Jan. 5 on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, a drug-free zone enhancement because the location was about 557 feet from a primary school campus. She remained in Hopkins County jail on Jan. 6, 2021 in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Tuesday was the third time Rachui has been booked into Hopkins County jail in the 3 months. She too spent Oct. 22-23, 2020 in jail on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; and Nov. 2-8, 20202, in custody for bond revocation on the a March 29, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and surety off bond on the Oct. 22 controlled substance charge, according to jail records.
North League Street Marijuana Investigation
Sulphur Springs Police officers responded at 6:08 p.m. Jan. 5, 2021, in the 200 block of North League Street to a complaint of suspected marijuana smoking in a red pickup. Upon arrival, officers alleged they could smell a marijuana odor emitting from a red Chevrolet S10 tuck, A probable cause search allegedly revealed a bag containing a green leafy substance police believed to be marijuana.
Sulphur Springs Police Department patrol vehicle
The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man in the truck claimed the marijuana as his and was taken into custody for possession of less than 2 ounces of marihuana, a drug-free zone enhancement was added because the location was within 500 feet of a church and park, police alleged in arrest reports. The man remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, in lieu of a $2,000 bond on the Class A misdemeanor charge.
Warrant Service On West Shannon Road
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro responded Tuesday night, in the 1600 block of West Shannon Road to meet with a man contacted police because he thought he had a warrant out of Hopkins County for his arrest. Upon contacting the man, officers obtained Mathew Banda‘s identifying information, which dispatchers used to confirm the 24-year-old El Paso man did indeed have an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Mathew Banda AKA Mathew Sagaribai (HCSO jail photo)
Castro took Banda into custody at 8:45 p.m. Jan. 5, 2021, on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for manufacture or delivery of 400 grams or more of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The violation was alleged in arrest reports to have occurred on Dec. 8, 2020.
He was arrested Jan. 12, 2019, on the original manufacture or delivery of 400 grams or more of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and released from Hopkins County jail, according to jail reports. He and three others were jailed after an Interstate traffic stop revealed an aftermarket compartment on the battery containing 4 black tape- and cellophane-wrapped bundles containing suspected heroin, officials alleged in the 2019 arrest report. He was released from jail May 29, 2019 on a $100,000 bond on the heroin charge, according to jail reports.
Banda, who is also known by the alias Mathew Sagaribai, remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 on the violation of probation charge, according to jail reports.
SH 19 South Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a tan Ford Ranger at 2:12 a.m. Jan. 6 on State Highway 19 south, just south of Interstate 30, for a defective head light. On contact with the driver, a deputy reported smelling a marijuana odor emitting from the truck.
A probable cause search of the truck revealed two baggies containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, a yellow bowl with marijuana residue in it, a large clear jar with marijuana residue, multiple baggies with marijuana residue, a package with marijuana residue, a vacuum-sealed bag containing marijuana residue and a half consumed blunt, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriffs Office patrol vehicle
Consequently, the 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at 2:27 a.m. Wednesday on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail later Jan. 6, 2021 in lieu o f a $1,000 bond on the Class B misdemeanor charge, according to jail reports.
He was jailed on two other occasions for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana: exactly 1 year ago (Jan. 6, 2020) and on Aug. 14, 2019. He was also booked into Hopkins County jail on four occasions last year: April 24 for public intoxication, May 14 for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, May 19 on a theft of firearm warrant and May 28 on a burglary of vehicles warrant, according to arrest reports.
KSST Radio does not post the names and photos of people accused of misdemeanor offenses, only those of individuals accused of felony offenses.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
The number of active cases in Hopkins County decreased 11% since our last meeting with a total of 150 active cases as of January 04, 2021. The state has tested a total of 7,197 people at the Hopkins County testing site since this whole thing began. We have had 2,095 cumulative recoveries and 70 cumulative fatalities (40% increase from last month) in Hopkins County. The hospital has 30 patients in the COVID19 unit as of today which is up 30% from last month.
As a part of the City’s response to Covid-19 the City suspended the practice of cutting off water service for non-payment. Some of the balances are growing quite high. The total arrearage is $152,037.68 with 584 accounts (8.71% of all accounts) in arrears. We now have a vaccine available on a limited basis. As it begins to become more widely available, we will have to decide how to bring the delinquent accounts up to a current status. I will likely propose requiring residents to pay their current bill along with 1/6th or 1/12th of their arrearage to avoid being cut off. In this way their accounts would be brought current in either 6 months or 12 months.
GRAYS BUILDING
The steel work is completed, and wooden framing has begun. You can now walk through the building and get a real sense of what it is going to look like.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING
Construction drawings are still being prepared by REES Associates. We have hired Tandem Consulting to oversee the construction just like the Grays Building.
MCCANN STREET
Texana Land and Asphalt paved McCann Street in December. This project is now complete.
WOODLAWN STREET
The Capital Construction Division has completed the sewer main and the water main. They are now replacing portions of curb and gutter. Texana Land and Asphalt will then cement-stabilize the road base and pave the street with asphalt.
SAPUTO SEWER MAIN
This is the next capital improvement project. This $750,000 sewer project is funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues South for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch inch diameter. This grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Without their cooperation this project would not have been possible.
COLLEGE STREET
This will be the next project after the Saputo Sewer Line Project
CLAIMS
We did not have any workers compensation claims in December. We did have one liability claim for a sewer back up. We have submitted the claim to the TML risk pool. We recently began paying an extra premium for supplemental sewage backup coverage, so I expect this claim to be paid.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
Made 12 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
Repaired 726 Potholes at various locations.
Replaced 3 stop signs and 3 street signs.
Hauled off concrete from buildings that were removed at the Airport.
Put out barricades for a power pole that had been knocked down on Texas St.
Put out barricades in flood areas for storms.
Finished hauling street sweeper material to the Republic/Malloy Landfill.
Installed curbs on Davis Street, in place of the approach for the old Ashcroft St, as well as a driveway next to it.
Cleaned out storm drains 4 times.
Repaired and replaced sidewalks at various locations around Coleman Park.
Began installing new sidewalks at 2 locations at the Airport.
Replaced 2 sections of the Cross-Town Trail to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Responded to 277 fire/rescue calls including 4 structure fires, 3 vehicle fires and 10 grass fires.
Performed 5 fire inspections and reviewed 78 pre-fire plans.
Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
Responded to 183 animal control calls.
Achieved a 72% adoption rate at the animal shelter.
Made 2 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
Seized 4 pounds of marijuana and over $15,000
Responded to 33 accidents, wrote 493 citations, recorded 56 offenses, made 6 arrests and responded to 2,125 calls for police service.
Conducted 30 building inspections, 7 electrical inspections, 5 plumbing inspections, 6 mechanical inspections, and issued 19 building permits.
Installed retrofit LED in Coleman Water Tower office.
Installed retrofit LED in soccer field concession, bathrooms and storage facility building.
Maintenance on Christmas lights on several streetlights and buildings.
Installed new flow meter at the wastewater treatment plant.
Installed fire extinguishers at the airport, hanger #27.
Began installation on electrical service and powers for newly refurbished hanger at the airport.
Installed light at the police department under awning in the back lot.
Replaced lights at animal shelter dog kennels with LED.
Replaced water valve and flush valve in women’s restroom at the Library.
Maintenance work in restroom at Imagination Mountain.
Maintenance work on locks for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Maintenance work on central heat at the wastewater plant.
Delivered door frames to Grays Building.
Maintenance work on pad locks at the service center.
Routine inspection and checks on central heat and air units at city hall.
Meeting with East Texas Compost regarding compost operations on needed structural repairs to composting facility.
Completed 4th quarter Bio-Monitoring DMR.
Replaced Chlorinator auto switch over on one-ton cylinder.
Ordered and installed flush valve on final clarifier #2.
Changed bearings in Bar-Screen “B”.
Assisted GraCon installing flow meter on north aeration train #1.
Ordered replacement pump for effluent sampler.
Completed recall work on service vehicles 70-951, 70-958, and 70-970.
Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids count of .56 mg/L
Repaired 8 water main ruptures and replaced 13 water meters.
Unstopped 14 sewer mains and repaired 2 sewer mains.
Washed 70,000 feet of sewer mains.
Water main ruptures
sewer main stoppages
Collected three sets of bacteriological samples in the distribution system.
Collected TOC samples delivered to AEL in Tyler and received results.
Collected distribution chlorite samples, shipped to lab and received results.
A 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly making a threat with a knife at a North Davis Street location, according to police reports.
Leeroy Cecilio Luna
Sulphur Springs Police officers responded at 8:51 p.m. Jan. 9 in the 100 block of North Davis Street to a disturbance. Upon arrival, they found Leeroy Cecilio Luna in a public place and determined he was intoxicated to the degree he was a danger to himself and others so they took him into custody for public intoxication, SSPD Officer Victor Reyna and Cpl. Chris Rosamond noted in arrest reports.
Upon further investigation, the officers said they were told by several witnesses that Luna had made a threat with a knife to another person present. Officers searched the location but did not find a weapon. Luna was taken to jail, where jail staff recovered from Luna’s pants pocket a weapon matching the description of the knife used during the alleged threat.
Consequently, Luna was booked into the county jail around 10 p.m. Jan. 9 on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge as well as the public intoxication charge, according to arrest reports. Jail staff reported Luna was placed into a violent cell at the jail, Reyna noted in arrest reports.
Luna was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Jan. 10, on a $35,000 bond on the second-degree felony aggravated assault charge, according to jail reports.
A 41-year-old man was caught in a stolen vehicle with methamphetamine and others’ military ID and driver’s license early Monday morning, according to police reports.
Joseph Todd Billingsley (Montgomery County Ohio Jail photo, 2018)
Sulphur Springs Police responded just before 12:30 a.m. Jan. 11 in the 300 block of Helm Lane, to suspicious vehicle report; a person was reported to have been in the vehicle for a while, according to arrest and police reports.
Sgt. Josh Shufeldt arrived and made contact with the occupant of a Chevrolet Cruze, identified as 41-year-old Joseph Todd Billingsley. Officer Shawn Albright requested a records check on the vehicle using the license plate number. Dispatchers advised the car came back as having been reported to Austin authorities as stolen.
When told to exit the car, Billingsley claimed he was going to put on his shoes first, officers noted in arrest reports. However, as Billingsley leaned forward Albright reported seeing a bag a crystal-like substance the officer suspected was methamphetamine. Billingsley was taken into custody for unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The substance later tested positive as methamphetamine using a test kit and weighed less than 1 gram, according to police reports.
When Billingsley was patted down, he was found to have a woman’s military ID and another man’s Texas driver’s license on him, resulting in an additional charge of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, according to police reports. Officer Francisco Castro transported Billingsley to Hopkins County jail, where he remained late Monday morning, Jan. 11, 2021 on all three charges, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department investigators are seeking assistance from the public in identifying two people considered “persons of interest” in a burglary that occurred on Jan. 13, 2021 at the Super Handy at 1401 College St. Detective Brian Shurtleff posted images captured from video of the pair he is hoping to identify and locate in connection with the Super Handy burglary.
The burglary of the College Street Super Handy is believed to have occurred overnight, after midnight but before dawn. The burglary is the second reported in less than a week at the business. A window was damaged at the convenience store on Jan. 9 and less than $100 worth of coins were reported to have been stolen.
Also on Jan. 13, a Dodge Ram pickup and gooseneck flat bed trailer were reported to have been stolen after 1 a.m. from a rental business in the 1400 block of East Shannon Road.
One of the individuals pictured in the images posted on SSPD’s Facebook page show what appear to be a male with dark hair, reddish orange, white and gray shirt and a bag. The other depicts a person with what appears to be dark hair wearing a blue shirt or jacket over a white shirt, blue or gray jeans or pants and white shoes, a blue and white facemask and what looks like a backpack.
Anyone who has interest regarding the identity of the “persons of interest” sought in connection with the Jan. 13 Super Handy burglary are asked to contact SSPD Detective Brian Shurtleff at 903.885.7602 or Crime Stoppers at 903.885.2020. Tips to Crime Stoppers are handled in such a way that the caller’s identity remains confidential, but could result in a monetary reward if the information leads to an arrest and/or conviction in the burglary case.
Do you know these “persons of interest” sought by Sulphur Springs Police Department in connection with the Jan. 13 Super Handy burglary. Call SSPD Detective Brian Shurtleff at 903-885-7602 or Crime Stoppers at 903-885-4040 to report tips.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
A36-year-old Sulphur Springs woman arrested on a warrant reportedly hid methamphetamine in her bra, according to arrest reports.
Leigh Ann Smith (HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs Police Department Officer Sean Hoffman was made aware of a warrant issued for Leigh Ann Smith‘s arrest. Hoffman located Smith in the office of a Helm Lane apartment complex and placed her into custody just before 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.
Smith reportedly asked to speak to her mother, who was waiting outside in a vehicle, before being transported to jail. Hoffman walked Smith outside, where her mother exit the car to talk to her. Hoffman reported hearing Smith ask the woman identified as her mother to remove her cell phone and a piece of tissue paper from her bra. Hoffman instructed the other woman to hand the tissue to him after removing it. Smith admitted the tissue contained a small baggy with meth residue on it. The tissue did indeed contain a bag, but instead of residue, it contained a usable amount of crystal-like substance he believed was methamphetamine, Hoffman noted in arrest reports.
Consequently, Smith was booked into Hopkins County jail not only on the warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, but also on a new possession of less tan 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance for the suspected methamphetamine she hid in her bra.
Smith (who is also known as Leigh Ann Cummings, Leighanne Smith, Leighanne Cummings, Leigh Smith and Leioheanne Smith) was held in Hopkins county jail Saturday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2021 on the violation of probation charge. Her bond was set at $5,000 on the controlled substance charge.
Friday was not the first time Smith has been jailed in Hopkins County. She has been booked into Hopkins County jail more than a dozen times since 2003, on charges which included theft, issuance of a bad check, forgery of financial instrument, abandoning/endangering a child-criminal negligence and traffic offenses, according to jail records.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
Two men were arrested on a possession of methamphetamine charge in two different traffic stops in Sulphur Springs Sunday, according to arrest reports.
College Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police DepartmentOfficer Silas Whaley stopped 47-year-old Jason Wayne Daniels of Sulphur Springs in the 1600 block of College Street after 1:50 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, for a traffic violation in a Chevrolet Malibu.
No HCSO jail photo available at noon Jan. 18 for Jason Wayne Daniels
When contacted, Whaley alleged Daniels exhibited nervous behavior, which resulted in the officer asking to search the car. Daniel refused so a canine unit was requested and responded at the location. The trained police canine, during a free air sniff search, alerted to the presence of a controlled substance odor in the car.
Whaley reported finding suspected methamphetamine and a firearm in the vehicle during a probable cause search of the car. Daniels was taken into custody just before 2:30 a.m. Jan. 17, 2021, and booked into jail after 3 a.m. on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Daniels remained in Hopkins County jail late Monday morning, Jan. 18, 2021, in lieu of a $5,000 bond on the possession of methamphetamine charge and a $2,000 bond on the weapon charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department patrol vehicle
Hillcrest Drive Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Communications Operators dispatched deputies to a County Road 4711 residence, where a person was asking that a criminal trespass warning be issued to a family member. The complainant claimed a dog had been taken from the property. While en route, deputies were advised the family member they were asked to issue a criminal trespass warning to had left the property in a silver Malibu.
While westbound to the location on State Highway 11 west near County Road 4700, HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney spotted the car traveling east. He turned around and attempted to initiate an investigative stop. The driver reportedly slowed but continued driving east with the vehicle’s hazard lights on. The driver reported used hand signals out the window, signaling he intended to stop at some point.
Shannon Aaron Payne. Smith County TX Jail, 2005.
The car continued on SH 11 east to Sulphur Springs, with deputies behind him, before eventually pulling into a gas station parking lot in the 500 block of North Hillcrest Drive. The deputy reported contacting the driver at his window and asked him to step out of the car, but the man initially refused. Chaney reported pulling his Taser out and instructed the driver to get out or he would be put into custody for resisting arrest. The driver eventually complied, and provided the deputy with ID.
The driver was identified in arrest reports as 45-year-old Shannon Aaron Payne of Winnsboro. Deputy Chris Baumann had also arrived and contacted the female passenger.
While speaking with the pair, consent was obtained to search the car. A burned glass pipe containing suspected methamphetamine residue and two clear baggies containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be meth were allegedly found in a black handbag in the car. Both Payne and the woman were detained in handcuffs. Initially, both denied ownership of the contraband, then Payne claimed it. Payne was arrested about 6:10 p.m. Jan. 17, 2021, for possession of methamphetamine and the car was released to the passenger.
Payne was booked into Hopkins County jail for possession of the suspected Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, which weighed 2.3 grams, including packaging, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail late Monday morning, Jan. 18, 2021, in lieu of a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested a 24-year-old Greenville woman on controlled substance charges after Ecstasy and methamphetamines were found during an Interstate 30 traffic stop Monday afternoon. Two men were also arrested Monday in an unrelated traffic stop after drug paraphernalia was located in their vehicle.
Controlled Substance Arrest
DPS Trooper Warren Williamson reported stopping a blue GMC Yukon for failure to stop at the designated point for a stop sign and following another vehicle too closely, just before 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18, 2021. The stop was made near College Street, which is at mile marker 126 on Interstate 30 west in Sulphur Springs. Upon approach, the front passenger was not wearing a seat belt as required and also appeared to be under the influence of some substance, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
Amberli King
When the driver refused to let the trooper search the vehicle, The trooper requested a police canine respond at the location. The Sulphur Springs Police Department canine handler brought his partner to the location to conduct a sniff search around the Yukon. The dog gave a positive alert to the presence of a narcotic or controlled substance odor in the vehicle, giving the officials probable cause to search inside the vehicle.
Officers alleged finding two plastic bags on the driver’s seat containing six pills weighing more than 1 but less than 4 grams, which Williamson said based on his law enforcement experience and training he believed were Ecstasy tablets. Under a seat in a black zipper bag was a clear, crystal-like substance Williamson identified from his training and experience as methamphetamine.
Amberli Nicole King was placed under arrest for possession of the Ecstasy and methamphetamine found in the vehicle. Prior to being transported to Hopkins County jail, the 24-year-old Greenville woman also admitted to having more methamphetamine concealed in her shoe. A small bag containing more than 4 grams of the substance was recovered from her shoe, enhancing the methamphetamine charge.
The vehicle and driver were released. King was booked into Hopkins County jail around 3:45 p.m. Jan. 18, 2021, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. King remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, 2021 on both controlled substance charge.
Drug Paraphernalia Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a red Dodge Ram pickup after 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, for failing to stop at a designated point at the intersection of State Highway 11 west at County Road 4711.
Deputies requested and were refused permission to search the pickup. One of the sheriff’s office’s canine handlers brought his partner to the scene. The trained police dog gave a positive alert on the truck. A small marijuana pipe was found on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Both occupants initially denied ownership of the pipe and were taken into custody for possessing the drug paraphernalia.
Both 39-year-old Sulphur Springs men were booked into Hopkins County jail, where they remained Tuesday morning, Jan. 19, 2021, on the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports.
KSST does not publish the names and photos of people accused of misdemeanor offenses, only those accused of felony offenses in staff generated content.
Crime in Sulphur Springs in the seven major offense categories was higher in 2020 than in 2019, which was a year of record lows. The 188 offense reports, made by Sulphur Springs Police Department last year, places 2020 as the fourth lowest in 22 years. Only 171 offenses were reported in 2017, 168 offenses in 2018 and 162 offenses in 2019. The total number of crimes recorded by SSPD in 2020 was only about half the 22-year record high of 375 total offenses set in 1999, followed by 371 offenses in 2004.
Crime in Sulphur Springs rose in five of the seven major offense categories, declined to a new record low in one category and matched the total posted in 2019 in another category, according to data provided by SSPD.
Violent Crimes Against People
Three homicides were recorded in 2020, tying 2003 for the most murders reported in a single year in the city. However, in only nine of the last 22 years have there been any homicides, including two murders each in 2011, 2015 and 2018; and one each in 2002, 2005, 2009 and 201. There were no homicides from 1999-2001, 2004, 2006-2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 20016-17 and 2019.
Nine sexual assaults were recorded in 2020, which is nearly double the five reported in 2019, and is just one offense shy of the record high set in 2015. The 22-year record low was set in 2012, a year in which no sexual assaults were recorded by SSPD.
Three more “assaults other than simple” or aggravated assaults were reported in 2020 than the 21 recorded in 2019. The 24 aggravated assaults reported in Sulphur Springs in 2020 was seven more than the record low of 167 set in 2013, but only about half the 22-year record high of 56 aggravated assaults set in 1999. In fact, there have only been three years since 1999 in which less than 20 aggravated assaults were recorded: 16 in 2013, 17 in 2016 and 18 in 2018.
Six robberies were reported in Sulphur Springs in 2020, the same as in 2004, 2015, 2016 and 2019. While still three times the record low of two robberies recorded in 2006 and repeated in 2011, the 2020 robbery total is still half the record high of 12 robberies in 2008, according to SSPD reports.
Property Crimes
A new record low of 17 was set in the burglary category, eclipsing the prior record of 20 burglaries set in 2019. That’s 101 less than the record high set in 2002 and repeated in 2004. These include all burglaries of homes and buildings recorded by SSPD, where both home and building burglaries have also been tracked separately since 2004.
Eight home burglaries were reported in 2020 to SSPD, four fewer than the previous low set in 2019, but still only about 1/9th of the record 76 home burglaries set in 2004. This category did not fall below 30 until 2012, and didn’t drop below 20 until 2016, when 19 home burglaries were recorded in Sulphur Springs, but has remained below 20 percent ever since. 2020 was the first year the total of home burglaries was a single digit number.
Last year also matched 2013 with nine building burglaries, which was just shy of the record low of eight building burglaries set in 2019, but still only about 1/5th of the record 42 home burglaries set in 2004. This category has remained below 30 since 2012 and has remained below 20 since 2013.
More thefts over $200 and vehicle thefts were reported in 2020 than in 2019, marking the second year both categories have risen. Thefts include all thefts of items valued at $200 that are not included in the structural burglary categories, including shoplifting, money and vehicle burglaries.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson reported these to be two of the most preventable crimes. A majority of the vehicle thefts and vehicle burglary cases were due to vehicles being unlocked and keys left in them. Locking vehicles and taking and valuables and keys when exiting often serve as big deterrents to vehicle thefts and burglaries. Failing to do so can and often does result in these “crimes of opportunity,” according to the chief.
Overall, 36 vehicles were reported to Sulphur Springs Police as stolen in 2020, five more than in 2019 and 27 more than the record low of nine vehicle thefts. Last year was only the second time in 16 years that more than 30 vehicles have been reported stolen in the city, but 2020 still had 14 less vehicle thefts than the record 50 reported in 2001.
A total of 93 thefts over $200 were reported in 2020, 16 more than in 2019 and 18 more than the record low of 75 thefts set in 2011, but still 85 less than the record high of 178 vehicle thefts set in 2004 in Sulphur Springs.
A Hopkins County inmate is accused of assaulting three jailers Thursday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Lamont Lankeen Mitchell (HCSO jail photo)
Around 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, a Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were notified an inmate was actively assaulting jailers. Deputy Bobby Osornio responded to assist. Upon arrival, Osornio reported seeing Lamont Lankeen Mitchell actively resisting and fighting with jailers in a jail cell.
Osornio reported he and the jailers “used the least amount of force necessary to place” the 25-year-old Pittsburg man into handcuffs. Mitchell was moved to a “violent” cell, that is a padded cell specially equipped to minimize potential for a person to injure themselves or others. Osornio charged Mitchell with three new counts of assault on a public servant, according to arrest reports.
Mitchell has been in custody at Hopkins County jail since his arrest on July 15, 2020, at Walmart on two aggravated assault with a deadly weapon warrants. Police responded in July 2020 to an assault complaint, contacted the alleged suspect, identified as Mitchell.
The Pittsburg man had the two outstanding warrants for his arrest in connection with the shooting of two teens as they were walking home with a group of individuals from the Dairy Festival Carnival early June 14, 2020. The shooter allegedly jumped out of the bushes as the group turned onto Fuller Street round 1 a.m. and “opened fire on the group.” Two teens sustained gunshot wounds and were treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The teens, police said at the time of Mitchell’s arrest in July, were expected to make a full recovery from their injuries.
Mitchell was later identified as the suspect, and the two warrants were issued for his arrest, Sulphur Springs Police Department Sgt. Jason Reneau reported following Mitchell’s arrest on July 15. Mitchell’s bond was set at $100,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
At least five people were jailed in the last two days in Hopkins County on warrants for violating probation, according to police and sheriff’s reports.
Jacob Lee Ferrell (HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs PoliceOfficer Cameron Robinson reported an investigatory stop was conducted by officers Jan. 21 on Jarbo Street at South Locust Street on a red Ford F-150 pickup a wanted man was known to drive. Upon contact, 39-year-old Jacob Ray Ferrell of Sulphur Springs was located in the truck and was taken into custody at 9 p.m. Thursday. Ferrell was booked into Hopkins County jail for violation of probation on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, Robinson noted in arrest reports.
Michael Lopez Hernandez (HCSO jail photo)
Hopkins County Sheriff’s OfficeDeputy Bobby Osornio took Michael Lopez Hernandez into custody at 2:26 p.m. Jan. 21, at Adult Probation Office on a warrant for violation of probation on an online solicitation of a minor charge as well as a warrant for selling items without a permit. The 28-year-old Richardson man was booked into Hopkins County jail on the charge. The offense is alleged to have occurred on Dec. 29, 2020. Hernandez was indicted and jailed on the original online solicitation of a minor charge on Oct. 1, 2013, according to jail reports.
Kimberly Susan White (HCSO jail photo)
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Amanda Weatherford traveled Thursday afternoon, Jan. 21, to Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, where Kimberly Susan White was being held on a Hopkins County warrant. Weatherford transported the 53-year-old Arlington woman to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked on the warrant for violation of probation on an Oct. 12, 2015 driving while intoxicated with a child passenger charge, according to arrest reports.
Summer Lee Wright (HCSO jail photo)
Deputy Bobby Osornio also took Summer Lee Wright into custody at the Adult Probation Office at 10:25 a.m. Jan. 20. The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was booked into Hopkins County jail for violation of probation on an October 2019 unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge. The offense is alleged to have occurred on Oct. 26, 2020, according to arrest reports.
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also transported at 11:25 a.m. Jan. 21 from the probation office to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for violation of probation on a Class A misdemeanor resisting arrest, search or transport charge, according to arrest reports.
KSST does not post the names and photos of individuals accused of misdemeanor offenses, only those accused of felony offenses.
Sulphur Springs PoliceChief Jason Ricketson reminds community residents interested in learning more about the weather that the annual SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training Class will be conducted virtually at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, according to the National Weather Service and Sulphur Springs Police Department. The class is offered free for people in Delta, Fannin, Hopkins and Lamar Counties.
SKYWARN® is a citizen volunteer program with 350,000-400,000 trained severe weather spotters, citizens volunteers who help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. The main responsibility of a SKYWARN® spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms.
In an average year, the the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes. Alert storm spotters can provide information to the NWS and local emergency officials about things they are seeing that may not be detected on radar and other technologies, which allows the NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe storms and flash floods.
The training sessions are typically about two hours long and cover fundamental information that every spotter needs to know, with a focus on safety, identification of key weather features, and proper reporting procedures.
Anyone interested in becoming a storm spotter or learning more about weather patters in order to better prepare for storms and weather situations may attend the SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Training Class.
Three people were arrested for DWI Saturday: a Sulphur Springs man allegedly driving drunk during a Tate Street crash late Saturday night, a woman spotted behind the wheel of a vehicle on State Highway 11 east and a man who appeared to be asleep at the wheel in the middle of FM 3236 early Saturday morning, according to arrest reports.
Tate Street Crash
Sulphur Springs Police officers responded at 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 in the 600 block of Tate Street, where a vehicle was reported to have flipped over. Police contacted a 32-year-old Sulphur Springs man, who officers report was fleeing the scene of the crash.
The man was alleged to have slurred speech, red eyes, was unsteady on his feet and an alcohol odor emitted from his breath. He confirmed he had been driving the Subaru Crosstrek during the Tate Street crash and said he was the only occupant.
The 32-year-old was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs for treatment of possible injuries. He was detained by police after the emergency room doctor cleared him medically for investigation of the suspected drunk driving.
Upon arrival at the jail, the Sulphur Springs man was subjected to standard field sobriety tests. Based on the results, the officer believed the man to be intoxicated. He blew 0.151 and 0.154 on breath tests, nearly twice the legal 0.08 limit. As a result, the 32-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into Hopkins County jail around 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, for DWI with a blood alcohol content over 0.15 charge.
He was released from jail on a $2,000 bond later Sunday, Jan. 24 on the Class A misdemeanor DWI charge.
Sulphur Springs Police Department patrol vehicle
Woman On the Side Of SH 11 East
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded around 4:35 p.m. Jan. 23, 2021, on State Highway 11 east at Rose Drive, where a woman could be seen through the open driver’s side door sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of State Highway 11 east. The woman was reportedly “not able to respond when being spoken to,” according to sheriff’s reports.
Upon arrival, deputies spotted a person who was responsive in a light colored Ford SUV on the side of the north shoulder of SH 11 east near Rose Drive. When asked about what had occurred to result in her being there, the 20-year-old Sulphur Springs woman told deputies she was coming from Winnsboro but wasn’t able to advise her intended destination.
Deputies asked her to exit the Ford Edge. She complied. Deputies noted the woman to be uneasy on her feet and to have slurred speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes. She allegedly admitted to consuming one alcoholic beverage. An alcoholic beverage odor reportedly emitted from her as well. Suspecting the woman to be intoxicated, a deputy began conducting standard field sobriety tests, which she reportedly failed to properly perform, and exhibited all 6 possible clues of intoxication on horizontal gaze nystagmus tests
She was arrested for DWI Saturday. The deputy requested a blood sample for analysis. She refused, so a blood search warrant was sought and obtained, requiring a blood draw for analysis. The sample was taken at CMFH-SS. The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs woman then was transported to the county jail and booked for driving while intoxicated.
The woman was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday on a $1,000 bond on the Class B misdemeanor DWI charge.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle
Asleep In The Middle Of FM 3236
Sheriff’s deputies also responded at 12:30 a.m. Jan. 23 to a report from citizens concerned about a man who appeared to be asleep in the driver’s seat of a vehicle sitting stationary in the middle of FM 3236. Deputies observed a male sitting in the driver’s seat of a tan Toyota sedan and an open 12-ounce glass bottle of Corona sitting in the center console.
The 44-year-old Sulphur Springs man complied, if very unsteadily, when officers asked him to exit the car. Officers attempted to ask the man questions, but due to a severe language barrier was unable to do so. Suspecting the man to be intoxicated. the officer detained him in handcuffs pending further investigation. Another officer was requested to meet the deputies at the sheriff’s office, to assist in translating and conducting standard field sobriety tests.
The officer conducted standard field sobriety tests and reported the 44-year-old exhibited all six clues of intoxication on horizontal gaze nystagmus tests and failed to properly complete standard field sobriety tests. The man agreed to provide a blood sample, which was taken at CMFH-SS, then he was booked into jail on a second offense driving while intoxicated with an open container charge, according to arrest reports.
The 44-year-old Sulphur Springs resident was released from Hopkins County jail later Jan. 23, 2021, on a $2,000 bond on the Class A misdemeanor DWI charge, according to jail reports.
KSST Radio does not publish in staff generated content the names and photos of individuals accused of misdemeanor offenses, only those accused of felony charges.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
What started as a vehicle pursuit north of Sulphur Springs concluded with the driver falling into a swimming pool in someone’s back yard, according to arrest reports.
Ajalen Meontre Sanders
Hopkins County Sheriff’s OfficeSgt. Scott Davis stopped a southbound white Ford Focus just after 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 for traveling 75 miles per hour in a 65 mph speed zone on State Highway 19 north at County Road 4763. However, as soon as Davis exited his patrol vehicle to go make contact with the driver, the driver accelerated, driving south on State Highway 19 north, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
Area of Jan. 25 vehicle pursuit from SH 19 north to Loop 301, Helm Lane and Live Oak Street
Davis got back in his car and advised dispatcher a pursuit was in progress. The white car turned south on Loop 301 at speeds in excess of 100 mph. HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann deployed stop sticks, which made solid contact with the tires of the car near the intersection of Loop 301 and McKinsey Drive. The car continued south on the loop, crossing the Interstate 30 bridge at mile marker 127, disregarding stop signs on either end of the bridge. The car cut through a gas station parking lot and continued onto Helm Lane. The vehicle was reportedly driven toward College Street, but turned onto Live Oak Street instead of continuing onto College Street. At one point the driver opened the door, from which something fell out of the car near Charles Street, then circled back around and approached the dead end of Live Oak Street, Davis alleged in arrest reports.
The driver reportedly jumped out of the car and took off running. HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney had responded to the area and took off after the man on foot. The man reportedly jumped two fences into a back yard, and ended with the man falling into a swimming pool, Davis and Chaney alleged in arrest reports. Off-duty Sulphur Springs Police officers reportedly assisted in removing the man from the swimming pool.
The man, identified as 25-year-old Ajalen Meontre Sanders of Paris, Texas, was taken into custody just after 7:40 p.m. on Live Oak Street, deputies Davis and Chaney alleged in arrest reports. A records check showed Sanders had an outstanding parole warrant for his arrest; the warrant was confirmed to be active and Sanders was taken into custody on the parole warrant as well as evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
HCSO Deputy Justin Wilkerson went to the area of Charles, where the object exited the white car. Wilkerson reported finding a Ziploc type bag with a green, leafy substance suspected to be marijuana; the substance weighed 1.4 ounces, including packaging, resulting in Sanders also being charged with tampering with evidence and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, according to arrest reports.
Sanders was held in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Jan. 26, 2021, on the parole warrant. His bond was set at $50,000 on the tampering with evidence charge, $50,000 on the evading arrest with a vehicle charge and $5,000 on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports
A criminal trespass complaint lead to two controlled substance arrests at an East Industrial Drive motel Tuesday night, according to arrest reports.
Tranameth Delon Ford (HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs PoliceOfficer Francisco Castro, assisted by Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes, responded around 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Ferrari Inn, where the manager requested police to issue a criminal trespass warning to a non-tenant. When police asked to enter the room where the individual was reportedly located, they were told the person they were seeking was not present, according to arrest reports.
After obtaining consent to check the room for the individual, police reported seeing a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine in plain view. Tranameth Delon Ford reported the room belonged to Rebekah Kirby and he had no knowledge of the drug paraphernalia.
No HCSO photo available for Rebekah Luvena Kirby
Both Ford and Rebekah Luvena Kirby agreed to let officers search Kirby’s room. Officers found a small bag containing a substance that later field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.5 gram, Castro and Estes alleged in arrest reports. When asked what was in the bag, however, both claimed they didn’t know. Both the 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man and 49-year-old Sulphur Springs woman were taken into custody by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Ford (who is also known by Tray Delon Ford, Trey Ford and Tra) and Kirby were booked into Hopkins County jail on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The charge has a drug-free zone enhancement due to the motel’s proximity to Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center, according to arrest reports. Both remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Jan. 27, on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
A Mockingbird Lane traffic stop late Tuesday morning yielded methamphetamine and one arrest, according to arrest reports.
Joe Dale Cohorst (HCSO jail photo)
Sulphur Springs Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a red Dodge Ram pickup just before 10:50 a.m. Jan. 26 in the 1500 block of Mockingbird Lane. Upon contacting the driver, police noted the individual exhibited nervous indicators, Officer Sean Hoffman and Reserve Officer Rodney Caudle noted in arrest reports. He was asked to step out of the car to speak with police and did so.
The driver reportedly agreed to let the officers search the pickup. The passenger was asked to step out of the truck while they did so.
After completing the search, both were asked to empty their pockets to show they had no contraband. Both began to do so, but the passenger was noted to be especially nervous and began “having trouble responding to questions,” Hoffman and Caudle noted in arrest reports. The passenger complied when asked to unzip his jacket to be checked. A cigarette pack found in an inside pocket allegedly contained a bag of suspected methamphetamine in tin foil.
Consequently, the passenger in the Mockingbird Lane traffic stop, identified in arrest reports as 30-year-old Joe Dale Cohorst of Sulphur Springs, was arrested at 11:27 a.m. on a possession of l gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. The driver was released. Cohorst remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Jan. 27, 2021, on the third-degree felony charge.
Jan. 26 was the second time Cohorst has been booked into Hopkins County jail. He also spent July 6-10, 2019, in custody at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center on a Wood County warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
