Sheriff Clint Hammonds reported on criminal cases that had been previously investigated by his office that resulted in court actions. On May 18, 2016 Denny Beach pled guilty to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle before 35th District Judge Stephen Ellis. Beach was sentenced to 1 year in State Jail for his part in the offense. The charge stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on May 11, 2015 involving the theft of 2 vehicles and a firearm from a local business. During the investigation multiple suspects were identified and arrested as well.
On May 24th and 25th, District Judge Stephen Ellis empaneled a jury to hear the case of 46 year old Sidney Alex Work of Bastrop, Texas. Work was arrested and charged previously for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone and tampering with evidence. The jury deliberation returned a guilty verdict and on June 1st Judge Stephen Ellis sentenced Work to six years for possession of a controlled substance and 2 years for tampering with evidence. Work filed an appeal and is currently free on an appeal bond until the case is reviewed by the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals.
In other news Sheriff Hammonds stated that on May 30, 2016, Deputy Johnny Brown conducted a traffic stop on US 183 south resulting in the arrest of two Salt Lake City, Utah residents. The individuals were identified as 42 year old Julee Elaine Bird and Shannon Doyle Bird. A consent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .45 caliber pistol and a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. Julee was charged with unlawful carrying weapon and Shannon was charged with unlawful possession of firearm by a felon.
On June 3, 2016, 40 year old Brandy Dang Free of San Saba, Texas was arrested on a warrant for burglary of a building and on June 4, co-defendant 41 year old Marty Ray Crawford also of San Saba, Texas was arrested for the same offense. This charge is a result of an investigation conducted by the Mills County Sheriff’s Office into the burglary of some storage units in Goldthwaite back in March of 2016. Deputies were able to identify the suspects and recover property taken in the burglaries. Free has since posted bond and Crawford is currently in custody being housed in the Comanche County Jail.
