News Blotter
Sheriff Clint
Hammonds reported several arrests from the end of July through August 2017. On
July 25th, Deputies were conducting a narcotics investigation and were able to
gain probable cause for a traffic stop on 25 year old Anthony Calderaz of
Goldthwaite. During the stop Calderaz consented to a search of his vehicle and
also admitted to being in possession of a syringe that he had used recently to
inject methamphetamine. Calderaz was arrested for possession of methamphetamine
less than one gram and placed in the Mills County Jail. On July 30th Cristian
Guadalupe Arredondo 22 of Goldthwaite was stopped for speeding in the
Goldthwaite City Park. During the contact it was discovered that Arredondo was
wanted for motion to adjudicate probation for a previous driving while
intoxicated. It was discovered that Arredondo was in possession of marijuana
during the arrest. Arredondo was charged with possession of marijuana in a drug
free zone and driving while license invalid. Subject is released on bond
pending trial. On August 2nd, Mills County Deputies responded to a domestic
disturbance on Farm Road 575. After arriving and beginning the investigation it
was discovered that 26 year old Jonathan Tyler Vazquez was in possession a drug
called “Shatter” which is potent THC extract. Vazquez was arrested for felony
possession of a controlled substance penalty group 2 over 4 grams but less than
400 and possession of pain pills less than 28 grams. On August 3rd, Mills
County Deputies received a tip that there was an individual wanted on Federal
Drug Charges working on a ranch in Mills County. Deputies conducted
surveillance on the property and were able to identify 40 year old Nathaniel
Jeremiah Salazar on the property. Deputies executed the warrant and took
Salazar into custody for a warrant for drug related offenses. The United States
Marshall’s Service came within hours and took custody of the individual. On
August 4th Mills County Deputies and Texas State Troopers conducted a traffic
stop on US 84 in Goldthwaite for a traffic offense. Occupants of the vehicle
were identified as 33 year old Justin Gibson of Llano, Texas and 41year old
Barbara Jean Kirkland of Llano, Texas. During the stop officers became
suspicious that the individuals were possibly transporting narcotics. A Texas
Department of Public Safety K-9 was called to the scene and alerted to the
vehicle for the odor of illegal narcotics. Officers searched the car for
approximately 2 hours and discovered approximately a quarter pound of
methamphetamine hidden in the air conditioning duct work of the vehicle.
Kirkland and Gibson have been charged with manufacture and delivery of
methamphetamine over 4 grams but less than 200 grams. They both are still in
custody and remain in the Mills County Jail awaiting trial. Mills County
Deputies spent most of the week of August 21st through August 25th in the jury
trial of 73 year old Michael Holley of Mullin, Texas. Holley was charged with
aggravated sexual assault of a child and 63 counts of possession of Child
pornography. The trial lasted all week and the jury returned with a guilty
verdict on all charges. There was emotional testimony by victims and family
through this process. 35th District Judge Stephen Ellis sentenced Holley to
Life imprisonment for the sexual assault of a child and 10 years for each count
of child pornography which totals 630 years. Sheriff Hammonds stated that he
was very proud of the deputies on this case who have spent countless hours over
the past two years going through these horrific images of children being
victimized and sold on the internet. “I hate that our citizens that were chosen
for this jury had to sit and view these images” Sheriff Hammonds said. Sheriff
Hammonds stated the 35th District Attorney’s Office did super job on
prosecuting this case. “This was again a fine example of Mills County Sheriff’s
Office and the 35th District Attorney’s Office diligently working together to
bring closure to the victims affected by this case” said Sheriff Hammonds.
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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