News Blotter
The Mills County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s assistance locating persons involved in a vehicle theft. On February 28, 2018 we took a report of a motor vehicle theft from Priddy, Texas. The vehicle stolen was a 2000 model Ford F350, white in color. The vehicle is a ranch truck with a flatbed. Mounted on the bed are hay forks, creep feeder and large toolbox. The vehicle was taken on February 28, 2018 at approximately 10:00am. Witnesses saw the vehicle leave the property followed by another vehicle, a 2003 Ford F250 crew-cab, brown in color with a solver toolbox. We believe that vehicle is the same one stolen from the Evant area the previous day. Both vehicles were captured on surveillance video travelling South through Priddy on Hwy 16S shortly after the theft.
Comanche County and Hamilton County are investigating similar vehicle thefts that occurred around the same time. There have also been burglaries involved with the vehicle thefts.
If you have any information on these thefts please contact the Mills County Sheriff’s Office (325) 648-2245 or Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers 1 800-222-8477.
Please remember to remove keys from your vehicles and lock them. These vehicles were stolen from places where they could not be seen from the roadway and from barns.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported numerous arrests in Mills County in the month of January through February. On January 18th, 23 year old Dequon Jamar Cole of Brownwood, Texas was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Mills County Court for the offense of failure to appear and motion to revoke probation for fail to identify fugitive from justice. On January 26, 2018, Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 24 year old Andrew Wylliam Davis on a Mills County warrant for the offense of possession of marijuana less than 5 pounds. The warrant for Davis was the result of an earlier investigation in a possession case. Then on January 27th, Mills County deputies conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation and made contact with the occupants Mitchell Paden Bilotta (driver) Elle Renae Sage (passenger) both 22 years of age from Abilene, Texas. During the contact deputies detected the smell of burning marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted and approximately 4.5 ounces of marijuana were recovered from the vehicle. Both subjects were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana over 4 ounces but less than 5 pounds. On January 30th, 56 year old Coleen Kaye Ingram was arrested for an outstanding warrant for motion to revoke probation for possession of marijuana. Ingram is still in custody serving time for this offense.
On February 7th, 28 year old Erica Nichol Bynum was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of 35th District Court for motion to revoke and failure to appear for felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bynum remains in the Mills County jail and is awaiting trial. On February 8, 2018, Mills County Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person in car at a local business. Deputies spotted the vehicle traveling east on US 84 and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Deputies identified 47 year old Max Charles Walker of Idalou, Texas. Walker was highly intoxicated on an unknown substance and placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Deputies then searched the vehicle and found a package of methamphetamine in the vehicle. Walker was on his way for a job interview in the medical field and was also in possession of a fake urine test kit to deceive the detection of narcotics in one’s body. Walker was also charged with possession of a controlled substance. On February 7th, 27 year old Naomi Salung Ganaha of Killeen was booked into the Mills County Jail from Lampasas charged with felony injury to the elderly. Ganaha stopped in a local business in 2017 and began shoplifting items. When store employees confronted the individual she assaulted one of the owners who is elderly. Ganaha has not been able to make bond and will remain in the Mills County Jail until her trial. Then on February 9th, Deputies responded to a report of a 911 call of a family assault that was in process. Deputies were advised that the 911 call was disconnected. Deputies responding to the residence saw the suspect, 30 year old Mitchell David Fletcher of Goldthwaite, leaving the residence. Deputies attempted to stop Fletcher but he fled the scene in his vehicle and deputies began a pursuit. Fletcher finally stopped at a residence in the 900 block of Fifth Street where he exited his vehicle but refused demands of the deputies to cooperate. Fletcher was then shot with a Taser and quickly complied with demands. It was then discovered that a minor child was a passenger in the vehicle while the deputies were in pursuit. Fletcher was charged with numerous felonies and misdemeanors to include #1. Interference with 911 call, #2 Assault against family member by strangulation (2 counts), #3 Endangering a child, #4 Fleeing, #5 Criminal Mischief, #6 Resisting arrest and #7 reckless driving. Fletcher is currently free on bond and awaiting trial. On February 16th, Mills County Deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding south of Goldthwaite on US 183. Deputies made contact with the driver, 17 year old Madison Jade Mays of Brownwood, Texas, for the violation and immediately could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. A Probable cause search revealed a small amount of marijuana and prescription pills not belonging to Mays. She was arrested for possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces and possession of a controlled substance both misdemeanor offenses.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reports numerous arrests through the month of December 2017 and January 2018. On December 1, 2017 44 year old Christopher Edward Payne of Goldthwaite was arrested for Theft over $750. Payne was employed at a local business and obtained some tires from the business without paying for them. On December 3, 2017 Texas DPS Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Paul Anthony Gallardo 29 of Brownwood, Texas. Gallardo was arrested for Credit Card Abuse, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Fail to identify fugitive from justice. On December 15, 2017 37 year old Timothy Howard Graham of Little Rock, Arkansas was arrested for motion to revoke probation for credit card abuse. Graham is still currently in the Mills County Jail. On December 17, 2017 Damien Gus Carman was arrested for fail to appear for DWI charge and has since been released. On December 17, 2017, Mills County Deputies responded to a 911 call of a disturbance on County Road 130. Deputies arrived and identified individuals as one male victim and one male suspect 61 year old Henry Thomas Mangham of Mullin, Texas. During the course of the investigation the victim had stated that Mangham had pulled a .44 caliber handgun on him and the victim was able to fend off Mangham during a physical altercation at which point the handgun discharged. Mangham was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. On December 28, 2017 Mills County Deputies stopped a vehicle in Mullin for a traffic violation. The driver 36 year old Brandi Spivey of Mullin was arrested after a consent search revealed that she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. Further evidence was seized resulting in Spivey being charged with possession of methamphetamine less than one gram.
Then on December 31, 2017 Mills County deputies responded to a report of a 911 hang up call at a residence on Farm Road 572. Deputies made contact with a pregnant female (victim) and Marc James Daniel Meyer 22 of Goldthwaite, Texas. The victim was attempting to call 911 due to a disturbance at the residence and Meyer interrupted the call. Deputies arrived on scene and found that the victim had been assaulted. Meyer was arrested for assault causes bodily injury to a family member and interference with a 911 call. On this same date, deputies responded to a report of a one vehicle accident on TX 16 south of Goldthwaite. Deputies arrived and found no one around the vehicle. A short time later a male individual arrived at the office stating that he was the driver of the vehicle and that the passenger was at a house in Goldthwaite and might possibly be hurt. Deputies went to a residence in 1300 block of Fisher Street to conduct a welfare check. When the occupants of the home answered the door deputies could smell the strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the house. Deputies gained consent and recovered several items related to possession and use of narcotics. Tanya Jo Norton 43 of Goldthwaite was arrested for possession of cocaine and the other male occupants of the house were not arrested at the time. Investigators will be seeking warrants for the other individuals involved and they will be identified in a press release after their arrest.
On January 2, 2018 Mills County Deputies responded to a report of an unwanted individual at the Senior Center located on the square. Deputies arrived and identified the subject as 54 year old Roy Edward Bennett of Goldthwaite. Bennett had previously been warned not to enter the property resulting in his arrest for criminal trespass. On January 4, 2018 Mills County Deputies were on routine patrol when they found a female subject staggering in the middle of the 1400 block of Trent Street. The 37 year old female, Brandy Marie Johnson of Seabrook, Texas was found to be intoxicated on some sort of narcotic and placed under arrest. During the arrest the female directed deputies to a residence in the same block where she had just left. Deputies then went to the residence and met with 34 year old Brad Weldon Tucker of Goldthwaite where he admitted to being in possession of illegal narcotics and gave deputies consent to search the residence. Tucker was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone due to the residence being in proximity of GISD Middle and High Schools. This same date 20 year old Brandon Wayne Horton of Mullin was arrested for a parole violation warrant for felony evading arrest. On January 19, 2018 Ronnie Myers 43 of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant for violation of a protective order. On January 20, 2018 Texas DPS Troopers conducted a traffic stop on 23 year old Cristian Guadalupe Arredondo of Goldthwaite. During the contact Troopers discovered, based on Arredondo’s admission, that he had thrown marijuana out of the vehicle prior to being stopped. Arredondo was arrested for felony tampering with evidence and has since made bond. Michael Gonzalez 22 of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant for criminal mischief involving an earlier investigation. On January 20, 2018 Michael Butler 45 of Goldthwaite was arrested after being indicted by a Mills County Grand Jury for felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. Butler turned himself in and bonded out the same day.
Finally on January 21, 2018 Mills County Deputies and Texas DPS Troopers responded to a report of a 911 call in the 1600 block of Priddy Road in reference to a man with a gun. Officers met with the caller in the yard and stated that 47 year old Jarred Lee Williams of Goldthwaite was in the house with a gun and that she feared he was going to harm himself. The caller stated that it was her husband and that he had discharged a gun in their bedroom. Officers made entry into the residence and were able to place Williams into custody. Officers noted that there were several bullet holes inside the bedroom and that Williams was extremely intoxicated. Williams was charged with felony deadly conduct and placed in the Mills County Jail.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported that the recent months deputies had been busy focusing on sex offenders in Mills County with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mills County Deputies served several warrants on local sex offenders for numerous violations of their reporting standards. Sheriff Hammonds stated that all of the sex offender charges are felonies and he and his staff will continue to monitor these offenders to ensure they are in compliance. On October 19, 2017 Geneva Costello 38 of Temple, Texas was arrested for several Surety Withdrawal warrants for Possession of Methamphetamine and fail to identify by giving fictious information. Also on this same date John Westley Gossett 40 of Mullin, Texas was arrested for failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone and failure to register as sex offender. On October 20, 2017 26 year old John Thomas Hopkins of Lometa, Texas was arrested for driving while license suspended and 23 year old Andrew Wylliam Davis of Comanche was arrested for possession of marijuana over 4 ounces but less than 5 pounds. On October 25, 2017 David Kendall Gossett 44 of Mullin, Texas was arrested for unlawful possession of firearm by felon. Then 22 year old Michael Allen Moore of Clovis, New Mexico was extradited back on a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. On October 31, 2017 32 year old Stephanie Lee Cisneros of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant for Assault against family member surety withdrawal. Trevor Dotson Williams 38 of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant for failure to comply with sex offender registration. On November 2, 2017 26 year old Adalberto DeLeon of Dublin, Texas was arrested on a Mills County Warrant for the felony offense of theft of livestock valued at over $10,000 but less than $150K. On November 8, 2017 Matthew James Jackson 48 of Goldthwaite was arrested on a warrant for failure to comply with sex offender registration. Then on November 13, 2017 21 year old Haley Phillips was arrested on a warrant for motion to adjudicate probation for prohibited sexual conduct. On November 15, 2017 54 year old Roy Edward Bennett of Goldthwaite was arrested for disorderly conduct on Sixth Street in Goldthwaite. Shortly afterwards Mills County Deputies were at a residence in the 1700 Block of Earl Street assisting family protective services in the removal of a child. During the removal 44 year old Victor Bostick of Goldthwaite approached the residence in a vehicle from the public street and narrowly missed deputies and bystanders. Bostick became very volatile towards deputies and was shot with Taser multiple times. Bostick was charged with Reckless driving, resisting arrest. Once in the patrol car Bostick kicked the patrol car door causing damage to the door. Bostick at that point was also charged with criminal mischief.
Sheriff Clint Hammonds reports several arrests for the month of September and the beginning of October. On September 6, 2017, Sharon Kay Johnson of Gatesville, TX was arrested on several Mills County felony warrants for Forgery Financial Instrument and Forgery Financial Instrument Elderly. The warrants stemmed from an investigation that began in June after the Mills County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Mills County State Bank regarding a transaction they believed to be a forgery. On September 13, 2017 as a result of a sentence imposed by County Judge Fulk, Whitney Faye of Austin, TX was arrested on a Class B Misdemeanor Motion to Revoke for failing to abide by terms of her probation. On September 14, 2017, deputies responded to the Driver’s License Office at the Mills County Courthouse where Hanna Marie Couch of Azle, TX was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Parker County. On September 22, 2017, Investigator Stephanie Brown took a report of Injury to a Child. As a result of her investigation, an arrest warrant was issued and, Jacob Carlton of Mullin was arrested at his residence. On September 23, 2017 after initiating a traffic stop, Deputy Johnny Brown arrested Charis Lamar Threats for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and a Misdemeanor traffic offense. The vehicle Mr. Threats was operating along with cash located in the vehicle was seized and will be subject to forfeiture for being used during the commission of a felony. On October 10, 2017 dispatch received a call of a disturbance on Lee St. Upon arrival, contact was made with the individual in question who was visibly intoxicated. Laythan Allen Wallace of Goldthwaite was arrested for Public Intoxication and transported to the Mills County Jail. On October 12, 2017, based on ongoing narcotics investigations, 3 people were arrested at a residence in Goldthwaite; Janet Frances Johnson of Goldthwaite for 2 counts of Felony Theft of Firearm, Misdemeanor Possession of Dangerous Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Jeffrey Joseph Cancel Jr. of Goldthwaite for 2 counts of Felony Possession of Controlled Substance along with Misdemeanor counts of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Jessika Marie Delgado of Goldthwaite was also arrested for 2 Felony counts of Possession of Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor counts of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A Mills County Grand Jury recently issued an indictment against Roque Gonzales of Goldthwaite for Theft of Property. A warrant was issued, and Gonzales was arrested at his residence on October 15, 2017.
