News Blotter
Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies execute search warrant on local residence Child Pornography discovered.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported Mills County Deputies have recently been heavily involved in what began as aggravated sexual assault of a child investigation and evolved into child pornography. Sheriff Hammonds stated that Inv. Stephanie Brown received report of a possible child sexual assault on July 1, 2015. During the course of the investigation numerous witnesses and victims were interviewed about many different possible sexual abuse cases stemming from many years past involving minor children related to the suspect. The suspect was identified as 72 year old Michael David Holley of Mullin, Texas. On October 14, 2015, Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at the Holley residence located on Farm Road 574 in Mullin, Texas. Numerous electronic devices were seized during the search and were analyzed after the seizure. Several hundred images of underage female girls were discovered on some of the devices. On November 10, 2015, Sheriff’s Deputies executed arrest warrants for Michael Holley and his wife 70 year old Donna Pauline Holley for Felony Possession of Child Pornography. Both individuals remained in custody in lieu of $100,000 as of press time.
In other news Sheriff Hammonds reported the quick identification and arrest of 41 year old Michael James Coleman of Tow, Texas. On October 21 the Mills County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a pressure washer that had been stolen during business hours at a local merchants business. A newly installed video survelliance system caught images of the suspect committing the theft. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office has recently created a website (millscountysheriff.org) and a Facebook page. Chief Deputy Chris Green posted Coleman’s photo on our website and social media page and by the next day Coleman had been identified and arrested in Llano County, Texas.
Sheriff Hammonds encourages everyone to follow our website and social media page to stay up to date with occurrences in our community.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported numerous person were arrested in recent weeks for drugs and weapons offenses. On October 3, 2015, Deputy Johnny Brown stopped female driver for traffic violation on US 183 south of Goldthwaite. During the contact Deputy Brown identified 17 year old Luis Richard Campos of Santa Rosa, New Mexico that was consuming alcohol inside the vehicle. Deputy Brown obtained consent to search the vehicle which resulted in the recovery of loaded .38 revolver pistol under Campos’s seat. Campos was charged with minor in consumption and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Another Passenger identified 58 year old Joseph Eugene Garcia of Albuquerque, New Mexico was placed under arrest for prohibited weapon. The female was not charged and was released.
October 6, 29 year old Joseph Aguirre of Brady, Texas was apprehended in Michigan on an outstanding warrant out of Mills County 35th District Court for Motion to Revoke Probation for the offense of Delivery of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. Aguirre was transferred back to Texas and is currently in the Mills County Jail awaiting trial.
On October 13, 38 year old Tonya Sue Collins of Liberty Hill, Texas was arrested after being indicted for felony Forgery charges stemming defrauding an elderly victim. Collins is currently held awaiting trial for her offense. This same date Deputy Johnny Brown conducted a traffic stop on US 183 south of Goldthwaite. Deputy Brown identified the driver identified as 26 Jarrod Scott Smith of Houston, Texas and immediately detected marijuana emitting from the car. Other occupants in the car are identified as 20 year old Kellcee Aubra Justice of Round Rock, Texas and 32 year old Corey Trumane Vorish of Houston, Texas. While Deputy Brown was dealing with the three individuals another vehicle stopped at a distance behind them during the stop. A call for assistance prompted deputies to make contact with the other individual parked behind them. That individual was identified as 25 year old Tiffany Winzer of Stafford, Texas. A probable cause search revealed marijuana inside of the first vehicle and two handguns were also discovered during the search. Smith, Justice, and Vorish were all charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a handgun. Winzer did not even have a driver’s license to drive the vehicle she was in and consented to a search of her car. A search of that car revealed Winzer was in possession of prescription pills that were unlabeled. Winzer was arrested for possession of controlled substance. All individuals were transported to the Mills County Jail were they have made bond and are awaiting trial.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 35th District Judge Steve Ellis sentenced the following individuals to serve county jail and prison sentences in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Carlos Morales Martinez 33 years of age of San Saba, Texas was sentenced to six months in the county jail a probation violation stemming from unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. 45 year old Tommy Joe Pierce of San Saba, Texas was sentenced to three years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported that the Mills County Sheriff’s Office has been currently busy this recent week with investigations and arrests. Sheriff Hammonds stated that on Monday, September 14, 2015 Mills County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an individual attempting to cash stolen checks at a local bank. Mills County officials arrived and identified a male individual that had been given the checks and asked to cash them. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that a 13 year old juvenile had taken the checks from a residence while visiting. The checks have been recovered and the case will be filed with the Mills County Attorney’s Office for prosecution in this case.
On Thursday, September 17, Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a burglary of a vehicle on Brim Street in Goldthwaite. During the investigation it was determined that 42 year old Yvonne Meadows had entered her sons vehicle without permission and stolen his Texas driver’s license. Deputies arrested Meadows for burglary of a vehicle and theft of driver’s license both misdemeanor charges. Meadows is currently out on bond awaiting trial.
On Friday, September 18, at approximately 9:44 AM, Sheriff Hammonds conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of Fisher street after observing a driver passing cars on the right hand side downtown almost colliding with parked vehicles. During the stop a female individual later identified as 45 year old Deborah Castillo Melchor of Round Rock, Texas. Melchor did not have any identification in her possession and became deceptive about her identity by giving a fake date of birth. It was later determined that Melchor was driving on a suspended license. Melchor was arrested for failure to identify and was placed in the county jail where she was able to make bond.
On Monday, September 21 at approximately 5:03 PM, Deputy Johnny Brown stopped a driver on US 183 south of Goldthwaite for speeding 94 M.P.H in a 75 M.P.H zone. During the stop the occupants were identified as 25 year old Carlo Colton Gossett (driver) and 34 year old Shanna Lynn Hughitt (passenger) both of Mullin, Texas. Deputies gained consent to search the vehicle and discovered less than one gram of methamphetamine inside the vehicle. While deputies were searching the vehicle it was discovered that Hughitt had tossed a methamphetamine smoking pipe on the ground. Gossett and Hughitt were both charged with felony possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) less than 1 gram. Hughitt was additionally charged with felony tampering with evidence for the discarded pipe.
On Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at approximately 5:37 PM, Trooper Mark Owens stopped a vehicle on US 183 south of Goldthwaite for a traffic violation. During the contact Trooper Owens searched the vehicle resulting in the arrest of 24 year old Brandon Clay Hebert of Arvada, Colorado for possession of marijuana.
On Thursday, September 3, at approximately 1;30 PM, Deputy Johnny Brown stopped the driver of a vehicle for an equipment violation in the 900 block of Fisher Street. The driver is identified as 34 year old Lacee Brena Geeslin of Goldthwaite. During the stop Deputy Brown became suspicious that Geeslin might be under the influence or in possession of a controlled substance. Deputy Brown was refused consent to search of the vehicle at which time Comanche Police Department responded with their narcotic detection dog. The dog alerted to both sides of the vehicle forming probable cause for a search. The search revealed a set of weighing scales with a powder residue substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Geeslin was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and was transported to the Mills County Jail. Deputies later found a methamphetamine pipe that had been dropped discarded in the patrol car where Geeslin was riding. Geeslin was also charged for felony tampering with evidence and is currently out on bond.
On Friday, September, 4 at approximately 9:30 AM, Inv. Stephanie Brown responded to a report of an assault that occurred at Mullin ISD. Inv. Brown arrived on scene and identified the suspect as 17 year old Hale Denise Ramber of Mullin. Ramber had assaulted another student at the school which was recorded by school security cameras. Ramber was charged with misdemeanor assault and was arrested on a criminal mischief warrant out of Mills County Court.
Sheriff Hammonds reported that recent weeks activity have been relaxed throughout the county. Sheriff Hammonds stated that the Mills County Commissioners have been aggressively working on the new law enforcement center to prepare for the incoming contractors for construction. “I want to Thank the Mills County Commissioners and their staff for their diligent work in the recent weeks” Sheriff Hammonds said. Sheriff Hammonds also wanted to extend a big Thank You to Lee Hoffpauir and his staff at the Outdoor Superstore during construction. Mr. Hoffpauir has donated all the material from behind the Outdoor Superstore at no cost to the county saving the local tax payers what could have been an enormous cost in the construction. Sheriff Hammonds is currently using inmate labor to off-set cost that might otherwise be expended by local tax payers.
In other news Sheriff Hammonds reported that on Friday, August 4, 2015 at approximately 5:54 PM, Sheriff’s Officials arrested 26 year old Christopher Mantia of Goldthwaite for class B misdemeanor theft warrant. Mantia is charged with one count of theft from the Mills County General Store prior to this date when Mantia entered the store a stole a game camera. Mantia had fled on foot and was seen by citizens in an alley acting suspiciously. The citizen obtained a license plate of the suspect vehicle which led deputies to identifying Mantia in this case. Mantia is also suspected in other recent thefts from business’s here in Goldthwaite. Mantia is currently free on bond and is awaiting a court date.
On Wednesday, August 26, at approximately 2:34 PM, Inv. Stephanie Brown responded to a report of theft in progress at the Dollar General. The suspect had already left the scene and a vehicle description was provided. Inv. Brown located the suspect vehicle at a local gas station and identified the suspect as 31 year old De Juan Antonio Taylor of Comanche, Texas. Inv. Brown was able to obtain a confession and recover the merchandise that had been stolen. The merchandise was worth approximately $25 and consisted of hygiene products. Taylor was charged with a class c theft and was transported to the Mills County Jail where he later pled guilty and paid a fine and was released.
On Thursday, August 27 at approximately 9:00 AM, felony warrant was served on 32 year old Phillip Eugene Jones of Lometa, Texas. Jones came to the Mills County Jail where he surrendered on charges of unlawful possession of firearm by felon. Jones is currently in custody in the Mills County Jail and is awaiting trial.
