KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Longview’s Cherokee Street will be closed at Anniversary Drive to Royal Oak Drive for through traffic beginning Monday. The closure is for sanitary sewer connections as part of improvements for the development of the Pine Tree ISD Stadium. The closure will be effective for about three weeks. Through traffic will be detoured down Anniversary Drive to Willow Springs Drive to Royal Oak Drive. The work is being done by Porter Services of Longview.

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a business robbery. It happened just before 11:45 Saturday morning at the Food Fast convenience store, located at the intersection of Highway 64 West and Thompson Lane. The clerk said the man entered the store, pulled a fireman and demanded cash.

The clerk complied with the request and the man left the store with an undetermined amount of money. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’4”, medium build, 160-170 pounds, wearing a flannel hoodie, dark jeans and dark colored shoes. He got into a silver car with another individual and the two left, traveling north. Neither the clerk nor the customers in the store were harmed during the robbery.

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials are investigating an incident that occurred at John Tyler High School on Friday afternoon around 1:45. Based on preliminary investigation, a male student and teacher were involved in teacher initiated horseplay in a classroom that escalated into an altercation. The teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave and the student has been suspended for three days pending further investigation.

“Our priority is to provide our students and staff with a safe and secure learning environment. We take discipline issues very seriously,” said Gary Mooring, Superintendent of Schools. “We are currently investigating this incident to determine not only what happened, but also how we can improve classroom safety.”

The administration and police department will continue to investigate the situation and follow District policy in regards to further discipline actions.

Contrary to earlier media reports the teacher was not knocked unconscious. There were no other Tyler ISD students or staff involved in the incident.

TYLER — A Tyler woman is facing charges of making a false report after telling officers she had been stabbed. Officers were sent to the 800 block of South Chilton around 4:00 Friday afternoon. Rebecca Jones, 39, told officers she came home to find a man in her house. She said that the man stabbed her several times and then fled out the back door.

Jones described the man as a heavy set white male with brown hair, wearing a navy blue shirt and jeans. Jones was transported to ETMC hospital where she was treated for several superficial puncture wounds and released. Officers, along with a Tyler Police K9 team searched the area but failed to locate the alleged suspect.

Later, in an interview with investigators, Jones admitted that she lied about being attacked and stabbed. The incident never happened. She is facing potential criminal charges for false alarm or report, a class A misdemeanor, and false report to a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor.

TYLER — Cornelius, a 33-year old black rhinoceros at the Caldwell Zoo, has died after showing signs of illness including lethargy and loss of appetite. As with all animals that die at the zoo, a necropsy and tissue testing was done. Early results of testing indicate that the animal was suffering from pneumonia and mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was present in his lungs. Further testing is underway to identify the species of mycobacterium.

The Zoo has consulted with Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Animal Health Commission, medical staff at The University of Texas Health Science Center Occupational Health Clinic and is working closely with these agencies.

Despite determination by these experts that the risk to employees, visitors, and animals is minimal, the Zoo is being proactive in taking steps to ensure safety. Pending further test results, the rhino building will be closed to the public. The remaining three rhinos are showing no signs of illness and can continue to be viewed safely in their exhibit yards.

EAST TEXAS — There are a number of ways East Texans can help victims of the fertilizer explosion in West.

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KETK reports Smith County fire departments will be participating in a “Fill the Helmet” fundraiser campaign to support the West Fire Department. Look for your local firefighters to be standing at main intersections in in the county during the times listed below. If you are unable to find a firefighter location, you may drop off any monetary donations to your local volunteer fire department. If you are making out a check, you’re asked to make it out to “Red Cross,” “Salvation Army,” or “West Fire Department.” In the comments/memo section, make sure to write “West, TX explosion” so that the money is earmarked for that purpose.

DO NOT LEAVE CHECKS AT UNATTENDED FIRE DEPARTMENTS DURING OFF-HOURS.

Firefighters urge you to use caution while approaching any intersections where they are collecting donations. All proceeds collected will be hand delivered to the West Fire Department.

“Fill the Helmet” locations:

Arp: State Hwy. 135/CR 294 (9:00am – the afternoon)
Chapel Hill/Jackson: Spur 248/FM 848 & Brookshire’s on 2734 East Fifth Street
Dixie: Spur 364/CR 1125 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Flint-Gresham: FM 2493/FM 346 (9:00am – 2:00pm) & the fire station at 188823 FM 2493 (all evening)
Lindale: US 69/FM 16 (9:00am – 2:00pm)
Noonday: Brookshire’s on 20100 State Hwy. 155 & the fire station at 16619 State Hwy. 155
Red Springs: FM 14/FM 16 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Whitehouse: Brookshire’s on State Hwy. 110 w/Boy Scouts (10:00am – 4:00pm)
Winona: State Hwy. 271/Loop 323 (9:00am – 12:00 noon)

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Donations for children with learning disabilities:

Another need that West, TX, has is for therapy and learning materials for special needs children. To that end, a donation site has been set up for items such as special carseats, weighted blankets, swings, wheelchairs, sensory accessories, therapy tools, electronics for autistic children, and learning materials (videos, books, etc.). The dropoff location is the Jackson Heights VFD Station 2 (Hwy. 31 E).

For more information about how to donate, you’re asked to contact Victoria Young with Jackson Heights VFD. Email [email protected] or call (903) 566-9900 (Monday-Friday 8:00 – 5:00). If you are unable to make it to a location to drop it off, they are willing to come to you and pick up any donation you’d like to give. Use the contact information above to find out more.

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Lindale FFA Donations

Lindale FFA invites you or your school organization to join the FFA in collecting donations for the families of the victims and the first responders who have been impacted by this event. The main things listed as needed are water, kids’ toys, clothing, nonperishable food, blankets, rain gear, and blood/platelets. The organization plans to gather donations in the Lindale Ag shop and travel to Waco next Friday or Saturday to deliver the donations. If you are interested in volunteering to help with this endeavor during the weekend of April 27th and 28th, you’re asked to contact them. Donations will be accepted at the Lindale Ag shop from 7:00am-4:00pm. If you are unable to make it during that time, you’re asked to contact the Lindale FFA to work something out.

Contact Rebecca Curry at [email protected] or (903) 881-4050. Parents are asked to make every effort to avoid disturbing the classes that are working in the Ag Shop while dropping off donations during school hours.

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Lone Star Military Farmers/Jacksonville Marine Corps League Donations

Lone Star Military Farmers and Jacksonville Marine Corps League will be in the Atwoods parking lot on Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm to collect donations for the people in West, TX. That address: 1824 S. Jackson St. The Carter Blood Center will be there as well for anyone who would like to donate blood. The blood donated during this drive will be given directly to the West area.

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You can also donate financially to the Salvation Army. Anyone interested in doing so can use this link:

http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/media/?ID=97199fb429c5d62e3eb21ab56c72e5ef

Area residents can also send donations to the Tyler Salvation Army with “West,TX Explosion” marked in the memo. Spokeswoman Chantel Millin says her agency will forward that donation to the appropriate location. You can go to http://www.salvationarmytyler.org for more information.
– See more at: http://www.ktbb.com/post/?p=252838#sthash.pPmjBSqn.dpuf

TYLER — The East Texas Striders are doing their part for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The group is holding a Boston Marathon Victims Benefit Run beginning this morning at 7:10am in the parking lot behind Einstein Bagels, 4500 South Broadway Avenue. Cost is free, but donations will be accepted for The One Boston Fund Inc. You can go to https://www.facebook.com/easttexasstriders to find out more.

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman has been arrested after deputies said she climbed in a car she didn’t own with a child in it and drove it into a tree while drunk. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Gregg County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident at about Thursday evening. Julie Lynn Russ, 50, was charged with injury to a child criminal negligence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and public intoxication in connection to the incident.

The vehicle’s owner said Russ climbed into the car and tried to leave the owner’s house in the 1400 block of Goforth Road in Kilgore. Russ then “accelerated quickly hitting a tree in the front yard of the residence,” the owner told authorities. According to the probable cause affidavit for her arrest, a six-year-old girl was in the car when Russ tried to drive away. After being arrested, Russ told deputies she was “unaware the child was in the vehicle until after the incident,” according to law enforcement reports. Russ was placed in the Gregg County Jail on two $2,500 bonds.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation is extending its hand to out-of-state gun manufacturers. Due to increased pressure on the gun industry, many manufacturers outside of Texas have expressed an interest in finding a better home for business. Governor Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott have encouraged these industries to set up shop in Texas. And according to KETK, members of the Kilgore EDC believe their community has the right workforce and resources for any new gun company looking for a move.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches ISD has announced it will not consider arming its teachers. Superintendent Dr. Fred Hayes made that announcement after a Texas Senate committee approved a bill that would provide educators with firearms training. According to KETK, Hayes said NISD has a police department to do that kind of work already.

TYLER – Beginning in April, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) began enforcing the payment of tolls on Toll 49. The enforcement effort follows a major community outreach program aimed at informing drivers about the newest segment of Toll 49, which opened to traffic on March 28. The NET RMA is encouraging all drivers to use a prepaid toll tag account from one of the three Texas Toll agencies: (1) the North Texas Tollway Authority (Toll Tag), (2) the TxDOT Toll Operations Division (TxTag); or (3) the Harris County Toll Road Authority (EZ TAG). Those using a prepaid toll tag account enjoy the lowest toll rate possible for using Toll 49 and toll roads statewide. The majority of Toll 49 drivers will not be impacted by the change in enforcement as most already pay their tolls electronically with TxTag.

To accommodate drivers who choose not to pay using a prepaid toll tag account, the NET RMA has implemented a Pay-By-Mail program. Customers simply drive down Toll 49. While on the road, their vehicle’s license plate will be photographed, and an invoice will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. For Customers using Pay-By-Mail, officials say it is important to respond promptly to the request for payment to enjoy the lowest cost. If an invoice is paid after the initial due date, additional fees may be added to offset administrative costs to collect the toll. These fees increase with each attempt to collect, and if unpaid will require appearance in court to reconcile.

Pay-By-Mail customers who used Toll 49 prior to March 28th may receive an invoice from TxDOT’s Toll Operations Division for their tolls from driving on Toll 49. Drivers are responsible for payment of all toll invoices or violation notices received, regardless of the tolling agency listed. The NET RMA has partnered with the other Texas Toll agencies and Toll 49 customers should start seeing NET RMA invoices the week of May 5th. Once received, you may call 1-888-923-2808 or visit http://www.PayNETRMAToll.com to pay your NET RMA invoice.

You’re asked to contact one of these agencies to receive information about getting a prepaid toll tag account:

– TollTag account – contact NTTA at 972-818-8862 or online at http://www.ntta.org
– TxTag account – contact TxDOT Toll Operations Division at 888-468-9824 or online at http://www.txtag.org
– EZ TAG account – contact HCTRA at 281-875-EASY (3279) or online at http://www.hctra.org

TYLER — Today is the public’s last chance to take advantage of the Smith County AgriLife Extension Office discount rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs. Clinics will be held at two locations in Tyler at 2 p.m. on Saturday: Colonial Hills Baptist Church (South Broadway) and the John Tyler High School parking lot, NNW Loop 323 side. Vaccinations are $10 per animal (cats and dogs only). You don’t have to live in Smith County to have your cats or dogs vaccinated. For more information contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 903-590-2980.

KAUFMAN (AP) – A sheriff says investigators in the slayings of two Texas prosecutors got their big break from a tip about a storage unit that contained guns and a vehicle tied to the crimes. When authorities uncovered the storage unit, they also unraveled what they contend was a meticulous revenge plot against the Kaufman County district attorney and a top assistant for their successful prosecution of a former justice of the peace for theft. That former official, Eric Lyle Williams (pictured), and his wife are charged with capital murder in the slayings of the DA, his wife and an assistant prosecutor. Sheriff David Byrnes says the storage unit was “the watershed event” that helped authorities put everything together. A friend of Williams’ told authorities about the unit.

KAUFMAN (AP) — Authorities say the wife of a former justice of the peace was the driver of the vehicle used in the killing of a North Texas assistant prosecutor. They say she was a passenger when her husband allegedly later shot a district attorney and his wife. An arrest affidavit shows Kim Williams implicated husband, Eric Williams, as the shooter of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse in January and also District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia last month.

Authorities on Thursday said Kim Williams was the getaway driver when her husband allegedly approached Hasse as he walked into work and fatally shot him. They contend she was a passenger in late March when her husband drove to the McLelland home in the Dallas suburb of Forney.

KILGORE — Two persons are in custody following a robbery and shooting in Kilgore. It occurred just before midnight Wednesday at apartments near the 700 block of Houston Street, which is north of Kilgore College. Arrested were Nickolas Rinche, 19, and Phue Nguyen. One of the victims was shot with a small caliber rifle. The second victim was beaten with a rifle, and was treated and released. The two suspects were arrested a short while later by Kilgore police and Kilgore College officers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators fined the company that operates the Texas fertilizer plant that exploded Wednesday night $10,000 last summer for safety violations. But the government accepted $5,250 after the company took what it described as corrective actions. Records reviewed by The Associated Press show that the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration determined that the West Fertilizer Company planned to transport anhydrous ammonia without making or following a security plan. An inspector also found that the plant’s ammonia tanks weren’t properly labeled. The same plant just outside Waco, Texas, exploded Wednesday night, killing as many as 15 and injuring over 160. The blast had the impact of a small earthquake and was heard from more than 40 miles away. It is not unusual for companies to negotiate lower fines with regulators.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center EMS plays a big response role following the explosion disaster in West. The Tyler-based ambulance service dispatches in that area. Communications Director Chad Richey tells KTBB his troops got on the job quickly and had plenty of work to do. He says ETMC EMS alone transported 91 total patients — 14 critical, 30 intermediate, and 47 “walking wounded”-type individuals. Richey adds that ETMC EMS is the primary ambulance coverage for the West area until further notice, as the area works to get its trucks and personnel back in order. Also, the Tyler-based eastern regional director for ETMC EMS has been dispatched to take over medical command duties. Those duties had been handled by the Waco regional director for ETMC EMS.

TYLER — TJC trustees have approved an incentive package for the Italian company Tazza Pronto. The move comes two days after the Smith County Commissioners Court gave its blessing to the project. The Tyler City Council had already approved the package, tossing in some incentives of its own. Tyler Economic Development Council chief Tom Mullins (pictured) says the company’s been looking in Seattle, Kentucky, and Tyler. If it chooses Tyler, it will partner with Distant Lands Coffee on a popular single-serve product, operating in the old Carrier plant. Mullins remains confident the deal will go through; he says Tazza Pronto could start up operations in Tyler later this year, bringing in up to 200 jobs within three to five years.

KAUFMAN (AP) — A former justice of the peace has been charged with capital murder in the slayings of a North Texas district attorney and his assistant who prosecuted him for theft. Authorities announced Thursday that Eric Lyle Williams is charged in the shooting deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, last month, and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse in January.

Williams has been in jail since he was arrested Saturday and charged with making a terroristic threat. Authorities say the 46-year-old emailed an anonymous threat to law officers one day after the McLellands were found dead. Williams’ wife was arrested Wednesday and charged with capital murder in the killings. An arrest affidavit alleges she confessed to taking part in the killings and told her investigators her husband was the gunman.

PITTSBURG — Authorities have arrested Omar Robles, 19, of Pittsburg, charging him with criminally negligent homicide in a fatal Camp County accident that occurred Monday. The arrest comes after the investigation into the one vehicle crash that caused the death of Loida Trinidad, 17, also of Pittsburg. The crash injured four additional teenagers. KETK reports four other occupants were not injured. The accident happened on Farm Road 1520, about 150 feet west of County Road 2127, just before 10:00 Monday morning. Investigating troopers believe Robles was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his car, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a bridge guardrail, ejecting a passenger. Pending the completion of the investigation, the case will be turned over to the Camp County District Attorney’s office.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas lawmakers have confirmed the nomination of a new district attorney to replace her slain predecessor in Kaufman County. Hours after local authorities announced an arrest and confession in the case on Wednesday, the state Senate approved 31-0 the appointment of former county court-at-law judge Erleigh Norville Wiley.

The 49-year-old former Dallas prosecutor replaced former DA Mike McLelland, who was slain with his wife Cynthia over Easter weekend. Their killings followed the death of an assistant district attorney who was shot as he walked to the courthouse.

Senator Robert Deuell of nearby Greenville noted that McLelland had stood in the legislative chamber for a resolution honoring his courage shortly before he was killed. He praised Wiley for volunteering to take the job “even with the inherent risk.”

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed William Lucas of Center to the Finance Commission of Texas for a term to expire February 1, 2018. The commission ensures banks, savings institutions, consumer credit grantors and other state-regulated financial entities operate responsibly to enhance the financial well-being of Texans.

Lucas is president and chief operating officer of Shelby Savings Bank. He is a member of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) and TBA Community Bankers Council, and chairman of the Texas Bankers Foundation. He is also board secretary of the Boone Hill Foundation and the Solomon Zane Allen Foundation, and a member of the Center Rotary Club.

Lucas received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, and is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District will set up immunization clinics at Tyler ISD middle school campuses on the dates and times listed below:

Thursday, April 18
Hogg Middle School
930 South Broadway

Thursday, May 2
Dogan Middle School
2621 North Border

Tuesday, May 7
Moore MST Magnet School
1200 South Tipton

Tuesday, May 14
Hubbard Middle School
1300 Hubbard Drive

Thursday, May 16
Stewart Middle School
2800 West Shaw

Immunizations will be offered between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at each campus.

Immunization requirements for pre-school and sixth grade students change as they move into kindergarten or seventh grade. For high school seniors, state law requires that first time college students receive a vaccination for bacterial meningitis. This vaccination needs to have been administered within the past five years and at least 10 days before the first day of college classes.

Students who are uninsured or have CHIP, Medicaid or private insurance that does not cover immunizations are eligible to attend these clinics. If not covered by CHIP or Medicaid, the cost is $8.00 per vaccine. A parent or guardian must accompany the student at the clinic and should bring a copy of the student’s immunization record.

In addition to the clinics listed above, the Northeast Texas Public Health District is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and each Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for immunizations. No appointment is required.

LONGVIEW — On the heels of a report about local street gangs, some Longview residents Tuesday called on police to be more open about the city’s street gangs, including the what, when, and where of their illegal operations. “We cannot fight what we don’t know about,” said Madolyn Scott, a member of Neighborhood Crime Watch. “We have to know what is happening in this town.” According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Scott said she knew gangs operated in Longview but had no idea there were so many or that some members are older.

In a story published Sunday in the News-Journal, Longview police Detective Lanie Smith said there are about 30 criminal street gangs active in the city and membership includes people ages 14 to 59. Smith said local gang members are responsible for a variety of crimes including theft, assault, and murder. “We may be moving among some of these people, and we don’t know it,” Scott said. Lamar Jones, who lives in Longview and is pastor at Galilee Baptist Church in Hallsville, said he, too, believes the community is entitled to more information about gangs and their activities.

In contrast, the Rev. J.D. Palmer of Mount Olive Baptist Church said he trusts the Longview police and stands by the department’s decision not to release detailed information about area criminal gangs. “They (LPD) should be as open as they can, but so much of police work is based on ongoing investigations and exposing certain information may hinder those investigations,” he said. “We shouldn’t expect them to expose everything they know.”

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect in a Kilgore knife attack has been arrested by the Waller County Sheriff’s Office. He’s named as Eric Blake Eakin, 27. In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 14th, an aggravated assault occurred at the Fantasy Ranch, 6412 Highway 31 West in Kilgore. Authorities say a patron at the club received serious injuries from a knife attack, allegedly inflicted by Eakin, after a brief argument. Eakin has outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault and evading arrest or detention. Authorities say he’d been considered armed and extremely dangerous.

MT. PLEASANT — A Mt. Pleasant woman is in critical condition following a hit and run accident. It was believed that Martha Riley, 49, was walking home from work when the accident occurred. She was found around 12:30 Tuesday morning in the 400 block of South O’Tyson Avenue. A news release from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department says the vehicle that hit her could have damage to the front passenger side. Riley is said to have suffered a head injury and a broken leg. She was first taken to Titus County Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. She is listed in critical condition.

NACOGDOCHES — A third student has come forward against former Nacogdoches substitute teacher. Jamar Ballard, 29. The student claims she has sexual intercourse with Ballard in a local motel. Now, with the latest complaint, Ballard has been charged with one count of sexual assault of a child and three counts of improper relationship between an educator and student.

Ballard first was arrested last week and charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student after a student told an NHS staff member that Ballard had acted inappropriately toward her. Later, a second student came forward and also said that Ballard acted inappropriately toward her.

“We are saddened and outraged at the thought of an adult having improper relations with students,” said NISD Superintendent Fred Hayes. “We will see this investigation through to the end.” NISD Police Chief Doug Ploch said that any student or teacher with further information can contact the NISD Police Department. Ballard was terminated as an NISD employee, arrested in Lufkin, and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on Thursday.

BROWNSBORO — School officials say approximately 115 HVAC units in the Brownsboro ISD were vandalized and copper tubing stolen from those units. The vandalism is believed to have occurred over the past few weeks on at least three campuses. A suspect has been arrested by the Brownsboro ISD Police Department and charged with criminal mischief and vandalism. The investigation is ongoing at this time, and the damage is estimated at more than $100,000. The schools affected are Brownsboro Elementary School, Brownsboro Intermediate School, and Chandler Intermediate School. Anyone with information related to this crime is urged to call the Brownsboro ISD Police Hotline at 903-852-8068. Callers will remain anonymous.

School Superintendent Christopher Moran commented that he was pleased with responsiveness of the Brownsboro ISD Police Department and stressed that no classes were disrupted as a result of the air conditioner units being damaged.

LONGVIEW — As outside temperatures rise, the dangers for children being seriously injured or even dying from being left alone inside a hot car also rise. That’s why the Longview Police Department has joined with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to reduce these deaths by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke in young children.

“More than half of all vehicle-related heatstroke deaths in children are caused by a child accidentally being left in the car, and more than 30 percent are from a child getting into a hot car on their own,” said Officer James Bray. “In an effort to prevent these needless tragedies, we want to urge all parents and caregivers to do three things:

1) NEVER leave a child in a vehicle unattended;
2) Make it a habit to look in the backseat EVERY time you exit the car;
3) ALWAYS lock the car and put the keys out of reach. And, if you ever see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away.

There’s more at http://www.longviewpolice.com/ in the Press Release section.

TYLER – A 44-year-old Terrell man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations. James Clinton Squires pleaded guilty in Tyler yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Tuesday. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to federal prosecutors, on August 2, 2012, Squires distributed approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine to Jason Ray Ragan in Terrell. Squires knew Ragan intended to return to Gregg County with the methamphetamine for redistribution in the Eastern District of Texas. Squires also admitted to possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine at his residence on August 3, 2012. In addition to supplying drugs to Ragan, Squires also traveled to Tyler, Lindale, and Pritchett to distribute methamphetamine. A federal indictment was returned on September 12, 2012, charging Squires and Ragan with federal drug crimes.

Ragan pleaded guilty back in February and is awaiting sentencing. Squires faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.