News Blotter
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported that Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies have been busy in the recent months on investigating the distribution of illegal drugs in our community. Mills County Deputies conducted numerous undercover investigations resulting in the sale of prescription drugs, methamphetamine and marijuana. The following individuals have been arrested in the past month for charges stemming from undercover purchases of illegal drugs. Mathew Joe Lopez 33 of San Saba was arrested for felony delivery of methamphetamine in a drug free zone. Mills County Deputies arranged the purchase of methamphetamine from Lopez who agreed to meet at the Goldthwaite City Park which has enhanced the offense. The next offender is 63 year old Fabian Lee Ynostrosa of Goldthwaite who sold prescription pain killers that he was prescribed. Tammy Lynn Dotson 44 of Goldthwaite was also arrested for delivery of a controlled substance after Mills County Deputies were able to purchase 99 pain killers from Dotson and then an additional 40 more in the same day. Finally 25 year old Hector Martin Vaquera of Goldthwaite was arrested for delivery of methamphetamine in a drug free zone. Mills County Deputies served a narcotics search warrant on Vaquera’s residence in the 1500 block of Cline Street just around the corner from the Goldthwaite High School. During the execution of the warrant deputies made a substantial seizure of items related to the possession of methamphetamine. Mills County Sheriff’s Office is still continuing their efforts to investigate and arrest any individual in the illegal possession or sale of illegal drugs in our community. Sheriff Hammonds commended his staff in the jail as well as the deputies involved in the investigation and stated that a lot of resources, man hours and money went into this investigation. Sheriff Hammonds stated that there are additional arrest planned in the future based off this investigation but did not elaborate on the individuals involved.
Mills County Sheriff Clint Hammonds reports numerous arrests for the month of May. On May 1st Mills County Sheriff's deputies arrested Bruce J McDavid Junior of Maxwell, Texas for the offense of burglary of a habitation for his part in a previous burglary at a residence located on Pine Street in Goldthwaite. McDavid is currently still being held at the Mills County jail awaiting trial with bonds totaling $20,000. On May 4th, as a result of 35th District Court, 30 year old Antonio Robert Bosquez was sentenced to eight years in prison for a previous, delivery of methamphetamine, charge in Goldthwaite.
On May 5th Curtis Smith, 53 years of age, of Mullin was arrested on a warrant for felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. Smith is currently free on bond and is awaiting trial.
On May 10th, Tabby Day was arrested by Mills County deputies for a local charge of theft by check and has since posted a $500 bond and is awaiting trial.
On May 12th, Royce Edward Hashberger, 39, of Early, Texas turned himself in to the Mills County jail to sit out 10 days for violating terms of probation for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
On May 12th, Mills County deputies responded to a disturbance in the 1000 block of Parker Street in Goldthwaite. The disturbance was taking place at a local business between two employees. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital and 21-year-old Ryan Craig Salinas was arrested for misdemeanor assault. Salinas is currently free on $1500 bond and is awaiting trial.
On May 16th Caleb Shane Johnson, 27 years of age, of Mullin was arrested in Abilene Texas for a motion to adjudicate felony probation. Johnson had been sentenced to probation for possession of methamphetamine in Mills County and had been ordered by District judge Steven Ellis to enter into a rehab facility. Johnson reported to the facility where he only stayed a short time and then left in violation of the judge's order. Johnson is currently being held in the Mills County jail waiting to go before District Judge Stephen Ellis.
On May 27, at approximately 1:24 PM, Mills County Sheriff deputies responded to a report of a one vehicle accident on US Highway 84 W. of Goldthwaite. Deputies arrived and began investigating the crash and made contact with the driver, 36 year old Damien Gus Carmen of Hutto, Texas, who appeared to be intoxicated. Mills County deputies conducted field sobriety tests and as a result, Carmen was arrested for felony driving while intoxicated third or more. On this same date, at approximately 6:46 PM, Mills County deputies stopped a vehicle on US 183 south of Goldthwaite for a minor traffic infraction. Deputies approached the vehicle and made contact with 19-year-old Joshua Allen Auvenshine of De Leon, Texas. That time, deputies could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Mills County deputies searched the vehicle and Auvenshine where he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine in his pants pocket. He has since been released on bond and is awaiting trial.
Finally, on May 31st at approximately 11:45 PM, Mills County deputies responded to reports of two individuals in the roadway on Highway 84 W. at County Road 189. Deputies arrived on scene where they found a male and a female subject standing on the edge of the road. It was determined by deputies that the female, identified as 17-year-old Jaycee Lynne Lenz of Brownwood, had gotten into an altercation with individuals that she was riding with on the way back to Brownwood. Lenz became uncooperative with Mills County deputies and was arrested for assault on a public servant and resisting arrest. Lenz was handcuffed and while Mills County deputies were interviewing the male individual lens was able to slip out of the handcuffs and escape custody. Mills County deputies were able to quickly apprehend Lenz again and she was transported to the Mills County jail where she was charged with evading arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, felony assault on a public servant, resisting arrest and felony escape from custody. Lenz has since made bond on all charges and is currently awaiting trial.
Sheriff Hammonds reported that the month of March into April has been busy for Sheriff’s Office personnel. On March 01, Stacie Michelle Walls 44 of Goldthwaite was returned back to Mills County to stand trial for 2 counts of forgery and possession of methamphetamine in a drug free zone. Then on March 13th 62 year Fabien Lee Ynostrosa was arrested at 3:46 PM in the 700 block of Fisher Street for public intoxication. Then on March 16th, at approximately 12:48 AM, Mills County deputies attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle in the downtown area of Goldthwaite. When the deputy activated his emergency red and blue lights, the vehicle fled and traveled south on US 183. With the assistance of the Texas Highway Patrol and Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office the vehicle was finally stopped inside Lampasas after deploying spikes strip to deflate the tires. 36 year old Stars Rahmir Rivers of Killeen was arrested and charged with felony fleeing. Rivers admitted to officers that he was under the influence of cocaine and suffered from PTSD. The subject made bond the next day.
On March 24th, Jose Ernesto Perez 23 of Manor, Texas was involved in an accident in the 130 block of Fisher Street. When deputies arrived the subject was outside of the vehicle cursing and acting erratically. Perez was arrested for no driver’s license and several other traffic offenses. During the arrest it was discovered that Perez was a documented gang member in the south Texas region. After arriving at the Mills County Jail Perez had to be physically removed from a cell and was placed in a restraint chair. It was later learned from Perez that he was under the influence of narcotics during the time of his arrest. On this same date Mills County Deputies following up on child welfare concern executed a narcotics search warrant at 750 Farm Road 572 in Mills County. As a result of the search warrant 31 year old Kendra Annette Lee was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and felony abandoning/endanger a child. As a result of the investigation a warrant for abandoning/endanger a child was obtained for the father 35 year old Justin Allen Lee. He was not at scene at the time and turned himself in at a later date and both subjects are free on bond and are awaiting trial.
On April 4, Caleb Shane Johnson turned himself into the Mills County Jail to be transported to a drug treatment facility. On April 7, at approximately 11:07 PM Gerado Hernandez 212 of Baird, Texas was arrested for public intoxication. Then on April 9, at approximately 6:30 PM, Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Sherman Street in Mullin. As a result of the call 32 year old Adam Byron Coston of Brownwood was arrested for public intoxication. On April 19th at approximately 10:00 PM, Deputies stopped the driver of a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the stop marijuana and Ecstasy were seized and as a result 26 year old Jessica Carey Martin of Austin, Texas for possession of marijuana and driving while license suspended. The passenger 27 year old Kelsey Nicole Capwell of Lubbock was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone. On April 20th, Mills County Deputies served an arrest warrant in a residence in Mullin on 39 year old Beverly Fay Escamillia of Mullin of forgery of a financial instrument.
Finally on Thursday April 27th at approximately 3:30 PM, Mills County Law Enforcement was called to assist in a motorcycle pursuit that started in Gatesville, Texas. Officers from Coryell County, Gatesville Police and Texas State Troopers were in chase reporting speeds of up to 130 M.P.H. Mills County officials joined the pursuit on US 84 east of Goldthwaite and followed to assist. The motorcycle began experiencing mechanical difficulties and finally stopped at US 84 west and Farm Road 1029. The driver 35 year old Aaron Baker Carpenter of Gatesville Ashley Annette Beeson 27, of Nolanville were arrested for felony fleeing. It was determined that during the arrest Carpenter was a member of the outlaw motorcycle gang “Cossacks”. The motorcycle was stolen and Carpenter was in possession of a handgun and it was determined that Carpenter was currently under indictment for the deadly Twin Peaks shooting in Waco, Texas
February was an extremely busy month with arrests and court convictions according to Sheriff Clint Hammonds. On February 1st Travis Wayne Gossett was court ordered to the Mills County Jail to be incarcerated in a drug rehab unit. While incarcerated Gossett damaged a television remote while in jail and has now been charged with criminal mischief and his felony drug probation has been revoked. Gossett remains in the Mills County Jail awaiting court to answer for the probation violation. On February 6th at approximately 9:21 AM Fabien Lee Ynostrosa 62 of Goldthwaite was arrested for criminal trespass after violating a warning for a residence. Ynostrosa made bond on this charge and was arrested again on February 13th for public intoxication in the 1600 block of Pine Street. On February 11th, Mills County Deputies stopped 42 year old Chad Broom of Fort Worth, Texas for speeding. During the contact deputies could smell marijuana emitting from the car. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription pills. Broom was charged with felony possession charges and has since made bond.
On February 15th the following individuals appeared before the Honorable 35th District Judge Steven Ellis in Mills County for sentencing. Tyler Alexander May 20 years of age from Ballinger, Texas was sentenced to 2 years adjudicated probation for 3 counts of burglary of a habitation and one count unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Walter Carr 55 years of age was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for possession of a controlled substance over 4 grams less than 400. Xavier Carrillo Charles 30 of San Angelo, Texas was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Finally 51 year old Sammy Don Walls of Goldthwaite, Texas was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the offense of possession of methamphetamine less than a gram in a drug free zone and 1 count forgery to defraud the elderly.
On February 16th, Matthew J Jackson 47 years old of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant for fail to register as a sex offender. On February 3rd, Mills County Deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence on Texas 16 south of Goldthwaite. While interviewing Jackson it was discovered he was a sex offender. Further investigation by deputies revealed that Jackson was residing in Goldthwaite and had not registered with the Sheriff’s Office. A warrant was obtained and he was arrested and released later on bond. On February 20, Mills County Deputies arrested Tommy Gene Harell 39 of Brownwood, Texas for driving while license invalid after being stopped for speeding. On February 22, 43 year old Charles Christopher Cravens was taken into custody to serve 90 days in the county jail as a result of a criminal mischief that had occurred at a local business.
On February 28th Raymond Gonzales Diaz 65 of Early, Texas was arrested for felony driving while intoxicated. A Mills County Deputy had just left the Mills County Law Enforcement Center travelling south on Priddy Road when the deputy noticed a vehicle travelling north and nearly hit the deputy head on. Diaz was stopped and further investigation revealed that Diaz was extremely intoxicated. The deputy then searched the vehicle and recovered marijuana from inside the truck. Diaz was charged for driving while intoxicated 3rd or more and possession of marijuana. Diaz made bond the next day.
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Mills County Sheriff’s Office conducts drug raid at residence in Mullin
On Sunday, January 15, 2017, the Mills County Sheriff’s Office assisted by the Texas Highway Patrol executed a narcotics search warrant at 208 East Sherman In Mullin, Texas. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office had obtained enough probable cause whereby Mills County Judge Kirk Fulk issued the warrant. During the execution of the warrant a small amount of methamphetamine was seized along with a firearm. 35 year old Jessica Lorrene Thornton and 41 year old David Kendall Gossett of Mullin were arrested and charged with numerous felony charges ranging from manufacture of methamphetamine in a drug free zone and possession of firearm by felon. 40 Year old John Wesley Gossett was also taken into custody for felony possession charges in a drug free zone. Sheriff Hammonds stated that his staff have been working diligently to pursue local individuals that are involved in the distribution of illegal drugs in our community. Sheriff Hammonds stated that during the investigation it was learned that David Gossett and Jessica Thornton are members of the Aryan Nation a documented criminal prison and street gang.
In other news on December 26, 2016, 32 year old Malinda Marie Sims of Goldthwaite was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Sims had been stopped for a traffic violation when the drugs were discovered. Sims has since been released on bond. On January 02, 2017, Mills County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on US 183 south. During the stop deputies gained consent to search the vehicle and recovered two handguns. 47 year old Ervin Halmayr and Rodney Paquinn both from New Mexico were arrested for unlawful carrying of a weapon. This charge stemmed from Halmayr and Paquinn’s affiliation with the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle club and their possession of a firearm. Both individuals have since made bond and are awaiting trial.
Finally on January 19, 2017, Mills County Deputies and Texas Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on US 183 south of Goldthwaite. The driver identified as 26 year old Jason Daniel Toner of Goldthwaite was arrested for driving while license invalid. Deputies then were attempting to identify a female passenger who had given her sisters identifying information. Through a photograph officer were finally able to identify 37 year old Geneva Costello of Mullin. Costello had given false information in fear she might have a warrant but it was discovered that she was not wanted. Costello was then arrested for giving fictitous identifying information. During Costello’s arrest a small amount of methamphetamine was located and prescriptions pills. Costello was also charged for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a dangerous drug.
