Local Headlines

Police chief stands by officers’ actions in arrest

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department’s Chief of Police spoke to our news partner KETK News on Wednesday after releasing bodycam footage of an altercation between one of their officers and a woman who allegedly discharged the officer’s gun while it remained in his holster.

According to a release from the department, officers responded to a theft call at a Dollar General. The situation then escalated when one of the suspects, Brianna Erwin, allegedly resisted arrest, causing an altercation to ensue. In a bodycam video released by the department, an officer says, “Let go of my gun” before the gun is discharged.

Tyler PD Chief Jimmy Toler spoke with KETK to clear the air and answer the public’s questions. “I can tell you from the point that we hire an individual, whether they attend our academy or they attend another academy that we’ve approved of, they receive hundreds and hundreds of hours of how to be a police officer including arrest control tactics, use of force procedures, all that,” Toler said. “Then annually, as they come back to us, they do all their qualifications and recertification. They do advanced use of force, they do use of force training here. It is something we take very seriously.” (more…)

Tyler NAACP reacts to woman’s arrest, firing of officer’s gun

TYLER – The Tyler NAACP President Lisa Williams spoke with KETK on Tuesday about videos of the recent arrest of Brianna Erwin, which have been making rounds on social media.

In 10 seconds of body camera footage released by Tyler PD, an officer can be heard saying, “Let go of my gun” just before the officer’s gun went off in it’s holster. Tyler PD said Erwin was then struck with a closed-hand by an officer in an attempt to avoid further escalation. Erwin was transported to the Smith County Jail where Williams met with her on Monday.

Body cam footage video below:

“I visited her May the 12th, once I saw the video on social media,” Williams said. “I reposted the video because I didn’t know who it was and that was my main concern. Who was she?”

During her visit with Erwin, Williams said she learned that Erwin wasn’t pregnant as she was heard stating in videos of her arrest. (more…)

Man arrested for sexually assaulting minor at a hotel

TITUS COUNTY – According to a report from our news partner KETK, an affidavit reveals that a man has been arrested after sexually assaulting a minor at a hotel in Mount Pleasant.

On April 23, the Titus County Sheriff’s Office was assigned to an aggravated sexual assault of a child case that occurred in January 2022. The following day, the victim participated in a forensic interview.

During the interview, the child said she was nine or 10-years-old when she was sexually assaulted in the parking lot of a hotel in Mount Pleasant. She identified the suspect as Camilo Hernandez Jr., and provided more details on the assault.

On Monday, officials interviewed Hernandez, who allegedly “admitted to having had sex [with the victim] when she was nine or 10-years-old. Hernandez justified this act by stating [the victim] had come on to him.”

Following the interview, Hernandez was arrested and booked into the Titus County Jail without incident.

TxDOT announces immediate I-20 lane closure in Gregg County

GREGG COUNTY — TxDOT has announced an eastbound, outside lane closure on I-20 in Gregg County at the Sabine River bridge (mile marker 593) due to damage to the bridge deck. There is no damage to the structure of the bridge. The repairs will begin Wednesday morning, May 14 and are scheduled to take 4-5 days to complete. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention when driving through the work zone and be aware that delays may occur.

Student arrested for off campus threats

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a Longview ISD student was arrested after allegedly making continuous threats while off campus.

The Longview Police Department was made aware of the threats on Wednesday and charged the student with Terrorist Threat, a third-degree felony. The student was then taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center.

“The Longview Police Department remains committed to thoroughly investigating all threats made toward or on school campuses,” Longview PD said. ” Appropriated charges will be pursued in every case to ensure the safety of students.”

Anyone who may know of any suspicious activity is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1199 to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff.

East Texans react as STAAR testing ends in Texas

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that STAAR testing could soon hear its final bell as Texas. As lawmakers move toward overhauling the annual exams, educators and parents alike say they fully support its end.

“The STAAR test is very stressful for small kids,” East Texas parent, Jourdan Ballou said. “Knowing that if you don’t pass the STAAR test, you cannot go to the next grade.”

House Bill 4 would change the test format from one test that lasts hours, to three exams taken over the year. Several school districts are also showing their support. Tyler ISD superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said the district is excited the bill passed the house and that they had a hand in its creation. Parents, too, believe the move would also help reduce their children’s test anxiety.

“I would support it because it would give them a chance to prepare the kids for not one big test but rather smaller tests,” East Texas parent James Sholar said. (more…)

Minors reportedly threaten cyclist with knife

HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Police Department said a cyclist was allegedly threatened with a knife by four minors at a park last week, according to our news partner KETK.

The minors confronted and verbally threatened a man bicycling through Huntington City Park. One of the minors then took out a knife while another held a two-by-four wooden plank.

Huntington PD is actively investigating these threats and considering charging two of the juveniles with aggravated assault. “This decision underscores the seriousness of the incident and the potential legal consequences faced by the individuals involved,” Huntington PD Chief Brandan Lovell said.

Lovell added that the two other juveniles involved in the confrontation may also face charges.

Lufkin man commits wire, steals more than $9 million

LUFKIN – A Lufkin man has pleaded guilty to various wire fraud schemes after he stole more than $9 million through fraudulent means.

Matthew Jess Thrash who had been running a multitude of fraudulent schemes and has been under investigation since 2020, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Monday, according to a press release from Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Abe McGlothin, Jr.’s Office.

An investigation revealed that Thrash had stolen approximately $9,170,124 from over 100 victims through fraudulent methods. McGlothlin’s press release indicates that Thrash “intended to devise schemes and artifices to defraud others, and to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.” (more…)

Texas bill simplifies ETX food truck permits

TYLER– According to our news partner KETK, the Texas House is considering a bill that would create a single health permit for all Texas food truck applicants, replacing a process that differs in each county.

For operators in the city of Tyler and Smith County, Net Health approves the yearly permits. The two-step process involves an application, fire marshal approval, and a preliminary inspection. If voted on and approved Bill 2844 could bring “major change” to the process.

The bill is currently under consideration and on the agenda for Texas House lawmakers. However, the deadline is near; if it is not heard on the House floor by the end of Thursday, its chances of passing will close this session.

UT Tyler awarded $800,000 grant

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler was awarded $800,000 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to fund a project led by Dr. Julie George, School of Nursing clinical assistant professor, and Hillary Oliver, School of Nursing simulation hospital and skills lab director. Through this grant, George and Oliver will develop curriculum for nursing faculty across Texas, covering the topics of simulation planning, pre-briefing, facilitation strategies, debriefing, assessment and evaluation and continuous quality improvement.