News Blotter
On March 1st, at approximately 11:30 PM, Mills County Sheriff's deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident on Farm Road 218. Deputies identified the driver as 34 year old Candy Jo Norwood of Goldthwaite. During the course of the crash investigation Norwood was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Also in the vehicle, was 54-year-old Corbin Wood of Bangs, Texas who was placed under arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia. On March 4, 49 year old, Daniel Miles Ridge, of Austin, Texas was arrested on a warrant for motion to revoke probation for the offense of driving while intoxicated third or more. On March 7, Mills County deputies served a bench warrant on Leroy Pickens Junior, 56, of Brownwood for the offense of possession of a controlled substance. On March 9, Mills County deputies conducted a traffic stop resulting in the arrest of 26 year old Zachary Rian Hunnicutt of Fentress, Texas for the offense of possession of a controlled substance. On March 10th, Mills County deputies conducted a stop on a vehicle in Goldthwaite resulting in the arrest of José Morales, 21, of San Antonio for the offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana less than 5 pounds. On March 11th, Mills County deputies arrested 26-year-old Joshua Ryan Vandyke of Austin, Texas for the offense of possession of marijuana and driving while license invalid. On March 13th, 42-year-old John Westley Gossett, of Mullin, was arrested for fail to appear on a possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone and then a surety withdrawal for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone. On March 14th, at approximately 6:50 PM, Mills County deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Texas Highway 16 south of Goldthwaite. Deputies arrived on scene and identified two adult victims one female one male. The female had been assaulted and had visible injuries. The male victim stated that the suspect, 61-year-old Thomas Emanuel Hartley of Fairfield, Texas had pulled a pistol on him and threatened him. Deputies were able to locate and seize the firearm used in the course of the offense and Hartley was placed under arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a family member. It was also determined that 64-year-old Sherri Wynette Hunt of Jonestown, Texas was an aggressor in the assault and was arrested and charged with assault against a family member.
On March 15th, Mills County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to a report of a possible intoxicated driver on US 84 west of Goldthwaite. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle and make contact with the driver identified as Cheyenne Frances Weems, 29 years of age, from Abilene, Texas. During the course of the stop it was determined that Weems was intoxicated and was placed in the patrol car. When deputies went back to speak with Weems while in the patrol car they noticed some white pills that had been discarded. Further investigation revealed that Weems was in possession of several controlled substances in which she was charged in addition to the charge of driving while intoxicated and tampering with evidence. On March16th, 23-year-old Julian Newman of Georgetown, Texas was arrested on a Mills County warrant charging him for the offense of duty on striking a fixture. On March 19th, at approximately 7:45 AM, Mills County deputies responded to a report of a vehicle accident on US Highway 84 W. of Mullin. Deputies arrived and identified the driver and three passengers as Robert Jay Rodgers, 29 of Wichita Falls, Texas; R C Haynes III, 26 of Houston; Nakeem Lakarr Evans, 23 of Killeen; and Kevin Baines Jr, 23 of Houston, Texas. As soon as deputies made contact with the occupants, they could smell the strong odor of marijuana inside the car. A probable cause search revealed the individuals were in possession of a controlled substance in addition to marijuana and there was a firearm located in the vehicle. All individuals were charged with various drug offenses and Evans was additionally charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. On March 23rd, Mills County Sheriff deputies conducted a traffic stop on 30 year old Amber Lee Bouscher of Austin, Texas. During the contact, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and discovered that she was in possession of methamphetamine and placed under arrest. Justin Clifford Anderson, 39, of Austin was also arrested out of the vehicle for knowingly altering a license plate.
On March 24th, Joe Louis Silvas, 26 years of age, from Los Lunas, New Mexico was extradited back to Mills County on a Governors warrant charging him with failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance. On March 25th, Robert Hunter, 49, of Port Arthur, Texas was arrested for failure to appear driving while license invalid. On March 26th, Mills County Sheriff's office received a complaint of individual possibly smoking marijuana at the Eagles nest RV Park located on Fisher Street. Mills County deputies located the unit and found that Drew Leslie Wilson, 52, of Goldthwaite was in fact smoking marijuana. Wilson granted deputies consent to search his camper and surrendered all of his marijuana of which he was arrested for. On March 27th, as a result of 35th District Court, Brandi Spivey, 38, of Goldthwaite was sentenced to 15 months in state jail for the offense of possession of methamphetamine.
Mills County Sheriff Clint Hammonds reports that on January 24, 2019 as a result of an investigation conducted by the Mills County Sheriff's office. 17-year-old Joshua Butterfras of Goldthwaite, Texas was arrested for possession of a firearm on school property which is a 3rd degree Felony. On February 2, 45-year-old Freddie Lee Scott III of Merkel Texas was arrested for the offense of driving while license invalid with a previous conviction. On February 5, 2019 Mills County deputies responded to a report of a disturbance on Lynn Street in Goldthwaite. Jerry Lee Fickinger, 63 years of age, of Goldthwaite was arrested for public intoxication and class C assault and transported to the Mills County jail. February 8, 2019 Timothy Wayne Cox Jr. was arrested during a traffic stop for the offense of driving while license invalid with a previous conviction. On February 8, 2019, Philip Cody Stevens, 28, of Goldthwaite was arrested for a warrant charging the offense of driving while intoxicated from a previous incident. On February 10 of 2019 Mills County deputies conducted a traffic stop resulting in the arrest of, 24 year old, Chazz Lee Olivarez of Killeen Texas for possession of marijuana, possession of controlled substance, and driving while license invalid with a previous conviction. February 13, 2019, Mills County Sheriff deputies were on routine patrol in the 900 block of Roseman Street in Goldthwaite. Deputies noticed a vehicle parked in the street that was not within 18 inches of the curb. Deputies approached the apartment and knocked on the door to make contact with individuals of the vehicle and immediately smelled the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the residence. The occupants of the residence denied consent to search the property, therefore a search warrant was obtained and executed for the apartment. The following individuals were arrested: Walter Franklin Wilson, 25, of Goldthwaite was charged with prohibited weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia; 21 year old Brandon Wayne Horton of Mullin was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and finally 25-year-old Kayla Nicole Bagley, 25, of Coleman, Texas was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. All individuals were taken into custody and have since satisfied most charges. On February 18, 2019 Nathan Crye, 33 years of age, of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant charging him with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has since made bond and has been released from jail pending trial. February 18, 2019 Mills County deputies were dispatched to US 84 E. of Goldthwaite, Texas in regards to a vehicle traveling on the wrong side of the road. Mills County deputies responded and located the described vehicle and were able to stop and make contact with the driver. As a result of the stop, Charlie Manley, 32 of Bryan, Texas was arrested for the offense of reckless driving and transported to the Mills County jail. On February 21, 2019 Ivan Israel Garcia Jimenez, 20, of Goldthwaite, Texas was stopped for a traffic offense in Goldthwaite and arrested for the offense of no driver's license and possession of drug paraphernalia. On February 21, 2019 John David Ritter, 38, of Goldthwaite was arrested for motion to revoke; driving while license invalid with a previous conviction. On February 25, 2019 Michael William Bright, 32, of Brownwood Texas was arrested during a traffic stop for the following offenses: driving while license invalid with a previous conviction, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance penalty group 3 less than 28g. On February 25, 2019 Victoria Lynn Keck, 30 years of age, from Copperas Cove, Texas was arrested on a warrant charging her for the offense of possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces.
On January 1, 2019 Mills County deputies responded to a report of a fight in progress at a residence here in Goldthwaite. Deputies arrived and arrested 33-year-old Edward Gonzalez and 25-year-old Jacob Martinez both of Goldthwaite for disorderly conduct in public intoxication. On January 4, 2019 20-year-old Caleb Kenneth Vincent was arrested on a warrant for motion to revoke for the charge of driving while license invalid. On January 9, 2019 Cody Lee Porter 20 of Mullin Texas was arrested for a warrant for motion to revoke for the offense of driving while intoxicated. On this same date 33-year-old Nathan Crye of Goldthwaite turned himself in to Mills County authorities for the offense of injuries to the elderly person and assault family violence strangulation. On January 15, 2019 Mills County Sheriff's office arrested 43-year-old Billy Wayne Phillips of Baytown Texas for prohibited sexual conduct and fails to comply with sex offender registration. On January 22, 2019 Mills County Sheriff deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence on Lynch Street in Goldthwaite. Deputies arrested 48-year-old José Jesus Flores of Robstown, Texas for the offense of public intoxication. On January 23, 2019 Mills County Sheriff's deputies arrested 47 year old Edward Eugene Hodo of Mullin, Texas for the offense of driving while and intoxicated. On January 26 as a result of an ongoing investigation involving the tampering of identification numbers on a truck 40 year old Jacob James Hill of Blanco, Texas was arrested for the offense of tampering with identification numbers. The vehicle in question has been seized in a hearing will be set during the course of the criminal trial to determine the actual ownership of the vehicle. On January 20, 2019 35th District Judge Steve Ellis remanded 67-year-old Raymond Gonzalez Diaz of Early, Texas to the Mills County jail to await a mental competency evaluation. Also on this same date Thomas Eduardo Garza 23 years of age from Lockhart, Texas was arrested for failure to appear possession of marijuana. Also on this date Mills County deputies arrested 36 year old Christopher Monroe of Round Rock, Texas for the offense of possession of marijuana over 4 ounces but less than 5 pounds.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported several investigations and arrests from November thru December 2018. On November 5, 2018 Sheriff’s Deputies investigated a report of an assault that occurred between two employees at a local business. As a result 40 year old Jeramie S. Vanover of Goldthwaite was arrested for the offense of assault causes bodily injury. Then on 11/08/2018, Vanover was again arrested for parole warrants for the offense of #1. Manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and #2. Burglary of a habitation. On 11/07/2018, during 35th District Court 56 year old Leroy Pickens Jr. of Brownwood was arrested for a felony warrant out of Travis County for the offense Assault on a Family Member/Strangulation. November 14, 2018, 50 year old Timmy Lee Sims of Mullin, TX was arrested on a warrant for motion to revoke probation for the offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance. On November 19, 2018, Mills County deputies responded to a call of runaways from New Horizons Ranch that had been seen in Goldthwaite. A deputy made contact with the individuals and 3 out of the 4 fled on foot. Deputies were finally able to detain them on a ranch off of FM 574. During the course of trying to apprehend them one sheriff’s office vehicle was damaged. All were juveniles except for 17 year old Keith Tuck, who was arrested and charged with #1. Harboring a Runaway and #2. Evading Arrest or Detention. On November 20, 2018, Mills County authorities arrested 64 year old Robert Joe Hopper of Priddy, Texas for the offense of 4 counts of Indecency with a Child Through Sexual Contact. The investigation began after a young child made an outcry against Hopper and Mills County Investigators conducted a child advocate interview. On 11/23/2018 32 year old John Hays Stockton III was bench warranted back to Mills County for the offense of Motion to Revoke / Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. On 11/29/2018, 35 year old Ricky Lee Turner of Gatesville was arrested for a warrant charging Assault on a Family Member and made bond shortly afterwards.
On December 12, 2018, 19 year old Tyler Tindell of Mart, Texas was arrested on a warrant for Motion to Revoke Probation/Burglary of a Habitation. On December 19, 2018, Mills County Deputies responded to the Dollar General on Priddy Road regarding to female shoplifters. Deputies arrived and made contact with 2 females that were in a vehicle about to leave. The individuals were identified as 52 year old Valerie Lynn Waller and 61 year old Nicolia Ann Summers, both of Brownwood, Texas. During the course of the investigation deputies saw a marijuana pipe lying on the console between the 2 occupants. A probable cause search revealed marijuana as well as a substantial amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle. The entire vehicle was full of items from different stores that had the price tags still on them. Both individuals admitted that they had been stealing items from Wal-Mart and dollar stores that day from Gatesville to Goldthwaite. Summers was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. Waller was charged with tampering with evidence, Possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. On December 21, 2018, at approximately 0900 Mills County deputies responded to a report of disturbance at a residence in Mullin, Texas. Upon arrival Deputies interviewed a female witness that had visible injuries consistent with strangulation. 47 year old Shane Eric McKee was placed under arrest for felony Assault on a Family Member/Strangulation. At approximately 1:15 PM, 49 year old Matthew James Jackson of Goldthwaite was stopped by Mills County deputies for operating a vehicle without a license. Deputies are familiar with Jackson and knew that he did not have an operator’s license. Jackson was placed under arrest for no driver’s license and during the course of this arrest Jackson was found to be in possession of marijuana and was charged with that offense as well. Then at approximately 7:48 PM, Mills County deputies were following behind a vehicle on US 84 west and observed the driver swerving off and onto the roadway. Deputies stopped the driver and found that 25 year old Joshua Nathan Nichols of Seminole, Texas was intoxicated with an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. Nichols was arrested for driving while intoxicated and transported to jail. On December 27, 2018, at approximately 6:36 PM deputies responded to a report of a possible intoxicated driver traveling from San Saba towards Goldthwaite. The driver was located, followed and observed and found that the driver was erratic in the operation of the vehicle. Deputies stopped the vehicle and found that 70 year old Ganelle Ann Wingren of Goldthwaite was intoxicated. Wingren was placed under arrest for the offense of driving while intoxicated. On December 30, 2018 at approximately 3:44 PM, deputies responded to a report of a minor two vehicle accident in the 100 Block of Fisher Street in Goldthwaite. Deputies approached one of the vehicles involved and immediately smelt the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search numerous controlled substances were seized including cocaine. Individuals charged with felony possession of a controlled substance are identified as Jared Brice Pevehouse 25 years of age and 30 year old Shelly Yvonne Moor both of Lubbock, Texas.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reports several arrests, beginning with three on August 8, 2018. Mary Keck 38 of Austin, Texas was arrested on a warrant stemming from driving while license invalid and has since posted bond. Cecilia Rangel Mata 20 of Austin, Texas was stopped for driving 93 M.P.H. in a 75 M.P.H. zone. Deputies approached the vehicle and immediately smelled burning marijuana emitting from inside. Mata was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana in a drug free zone and made bond the following day. Later that same evening, 22 year old Thomas Edwardo Garza Sr. of Austin was stopped on US 84 east of Goldthwaite for fail to dim headlamps at approaching vehicles. Contact was made with Garza where he immediately became uncooperative with Deputies. Garza would not identify himself so he was removed from the vehicle and placed into handcuffs. Garza later admitted that he did not possess a driver’s license and during the deputies patting down Garza for weapons he was found to be in possession of marijuana. Garza was charged with possession of marijuana and placed in the Mills County Jail.
On August 21 thru the 23rd Mills County Deputies spent most of the week testifying in a possession of methamphetamine and endangering a child case in the 35th Judicial District Court. Former Mills County resident, Justin Allen Lee 36 years of age stood trial before Judge Stephen Ellis stemming from a search warrant that was executed in 2017 on Farm Road 572. As a result of the trial Lee was sentenced by Judge Ellis to a total of 50 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Also on August 21, 2018 36 year old Phillip Eugene Jones of Goldthwaite turned himself into the Mills County Jail for a parole violation and is still currently in custody. On August 25, 2018, 40 year old Edward Evans of Mullin was stopped for an equipment violation on Fisher Street. During the contact, the Deputy could smell the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Evans surrendered the remaining marijuana in his possession and was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana in a drug free zone. On August 29, 2018 24 year old Brian Wayne Hopson of Denver, CO was arrested for a warrant for failure to appear on possession of a controlled substance and since made bond. On this same date, 23 year old Christopher Scott Kistner was arrested on Fourth Street for driving while license suspended. On August 31, 2018, at approximately 10:00 PM, deputies were dispatched to a car accident in the 1400 block of Queen Street. Deputies arrived and found that a vehicle had drove through a residence and the driver had fled the scene. The driver was identified as 25 year old Kiefer Lee Wilson of Goldthwaite. Citizens and deputies began looking for Wilson and he was spotted several times but continued to elude deputies until approximately 1:45 AM where he was found on a bicycle and arrested for public intoxication. This case is still under investigation and further charges may be pending.
Finally on September 1, 2018, deputies responded to a report of man with a gun on Fisher Street and arrived and found that the victim was on an adjacent property shooting guns. Victim stated 33 year old Joseph Charles Valadez, manager of the Eagles Nest RV Park in Goldthwaite, had displayed some type of rifle and made some aggressive comments towards the victim and his family. Valadez was placed under arrest for the offense of Deadly Conduct and several firearms were seized from the residence. This case is still ongoing and investigators will look into the option also of indicting Valadez for felony aggravated assault charges in the 35th Judicial District Court. Valadez was taken into custody and made bond the next day.
