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TYLER — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. James Michael Fortin, 45, of Longview, pleaded guilty in March to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 69 months in federal prison Yesterday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

Federal prosecutors say, on July 28, 2009, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Fortin�s home for suspected child pornography. During the search, Fortin�s personal computer was seized and a forensic analysis revealed 5 videos and around 100 digital images of child pornography. Officials say some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

TEXARKANA — A 33-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking in East Texas. Luis Antonio Palomo pleaded guilty on Aug. 24 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Palomo was sentenced in Texarkana to 84 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge David Folsom. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 19, 2009, Palomo and a co-defendant were stopped for speeding on Interstate 30 in Titus County. Palomo gave DPS troopers consent to search the rental truck he was driving. During the search, troopers located bundles containing over 928 kilograms of marijuana. Palomo was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 6, 2010.

TYLER – A 32-year-old Big Sandy, Texas man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking Tuesday. Noel Arreon Weatherby pleaded guilty on Apr. 12 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, on Oct. 20, 2008, Weatherby was found by Upshur County Sheriff’s deputies and Winnsboro police officers at a residence where he was preparing to manufacture methamphetamine. Weatherby was in possession of laboratory equipment and a liquid solution containing about 200 grams of methamphetamine.

TYLER � A Rusk County man has been sentenced to federal prison for federal firearms and drug violations. Jeremy Allen Creson, 23, of Henderson pleaded guilty in March to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 130 months in federal prison. Creson received 70 months for the gun violation and 60 months for the drug violation.

Federal prosecutors say in April of last year, Creson was in possession of a gun while distributing methamphetamine. On August 10, 2009, Creson was found in Rusk County with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others. A federal grand jury indicted Creason in November of last year.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a reported robbery. It happened Monday night on County Road 3116. According to KETK, deputies say a man was giving someone a ride when the suspect allegedly pulled a gun on him, stole his car and attempted to rob him. The male suspect fired one shot from a small black handgun. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER — A rally was held Monday night at the Panthers Stadium in Bullard. Part politics and part prayer, the “Come Pray With Me Rally” organizers say, is about the future of the United States. This was the second “Come Pray With Me Rally.” A rally was held back in September which had a turnout of 967 attendees with people from Dallas, Houston and Louisiana. According to KETK, because of the turnout from the last rally, organizers say, they decided to move this rally to a stadium but, even with the large numbers, they say it’s all about the message. Organizers say in the end it doesn’t matter what party people belong too, they are looking for leaders to rise up for community and the country.

TYLER — A Tyler judge has sentenced a Henderson County man to prison for online solicitation of a minor. Judge Christi Kennedy Monday sentenced Brennen Lee Bledsoe, 22, of Chandler, to four years in prison. He had been accused of sending inappropriate photos and texts to a 14-year-old girl�s cell phone this summer. The girl�s mother found the items and notified authorities. Bledsoe pleaded guilty to the charges last month.

ATHENS — Henderson County authorities are trying to identify a body found in a burning mobile home. The Friday morning fire was reported around 10:15 on Beaver Pond Road in southern Henderson County. The body was sent to Dallas for autopsy. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The double-wide mobile home was destroyed by the fire.

LUFKIN — A one vehicle accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. Killed was David Scott Kolb, 41, of Nacogdoches. He died at Lufkin�s Memorial Medical Center a short time after the accident . The Department of Public Safety reports Kolb was east bound on Homer Alto Road when his pickup left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened around 8:15 Monday morning.

EAST TEXAS — It’s a busy ballot as East Texans head to the polls for Election Day. One high-profile item is the $89.85 million Tyler ISD bond issue. The proposal calls for new Rice and Dixie Elementary schools, along with a new middle school. Alcohol propositions are set to be voted on in Bullard, Whitehouse, Smith County JP Precinct 4, and White Oak. According to KETK, Bullard, Whitehouse, and White Oak will each vote on allowing mixed beverages in restaurants as well as beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption. Precinct 4 will vote only on beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption.

There are also some legislative races to be decided. Republican District 1 Congressman Louie Gohmert is challenged by Libertarian Charles F. Parkes and independent Trent E. Gale. Incumbent Republican District 6 State Representative Leo Berman faces Libertarian Jon Fitts, while Republican David Simpson goes up against Libertarian Eric (Ric) Brandt in the race for House District 7. In State Senate District 2, it’s Republican incumbent Bob Deuell against Democrat Kathleen Maria Shaw. Incumbent Republican Robert Nichols squares off against Libertarian David Scott for the State Senate District 3 seat. In a Smith County race, District Attorney Matt Bingham faces a challenge from Democrat Lenis Pierce.

TYLER — A major gift of Mexican folk art — over 650 pieces — makes its way to the Tyler Museum of Art’s permanent collection, thanks to Laura and Dan Boeckman of Dallas. According to museum director Kim Tomio, “A gift of this scope and breadth, and the quality, puts the art museum really on a different level with its colleagues.” She says the donation offers a big boost to the museum’s prestige, making the venue “really a destination for people who want to learn about this kind of material — research it, just enjoy it, study it.” Tomio says part of the collection can already be seen at the museum, with more being installed at Tyler Public Library. The rest will stay in storage until display space is available.

TYLER � The Democratic Club of Smith County will provide a ride to any Tyler resident in need of transportation on Election Day. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. � 7 p.m. and transportation will be available anytime during those hours. The Democratic Club will also assist those in need with finding their voting location. You can contact Alicia Peoples at (978) 505 � 7959 or Claretta Allen at (903) 530 – 8668 for more information or for a ride to the polls. Voters will need to bring a valid I.D. or their voter registration card. A Democratic spokesperson notes that service will be offered regardless of how voters intend to cast their ballots.

BEAUMONT �The U.S. Justice Department offers information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights and Criminal Divisions, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted, without incidence of discrimination, intimidation or fraud. U.S. Attorney John M. Bales says Assistant U.S. Attorneys/District Election Officers Michelle Englade and M. Andrew Stover will be on duty in the Eastern District of Texas while the polls are open. Bales say that’s in order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 2 and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities. AUSA Englade can be reached by the public at 409-839-2538 and AUSA Stover can be reached by the public at 972-509-1201.

In addition, the FBI will have Special Agents available in each Field Office and Resident Agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The FBI can be reached by East Texans at the following telephone numbers:

Tyler � 903-592-4301
Texarkana � 870-773-3382
Lufkin � 936-637-3834

Ann McGeehan, Director of Elections at the Office of the Secretary of State, has advised that they will also be available to receive calls from the public at their toll free number, 1-800-252-8683 from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm on election day.

BEAUMONT � A Lufkin physician has pleaded guilty to charges of health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Dr. Alexander Orlov, D.O., 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid Monday in Beaumont before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to prosecutors, from Nov. 2008 to Apr. 2010, Orlov, a physician and the owner of a Lufkin medical practice and urgent care clinic, and an employee, Haseeb Rehman, submitted claims for physicians’ services to Medicare and Medicaid for services provided by Rehman — who was not a licensed medical professional. Orlov controlled and operated Lufkin Urgent Care, P.A. He employed Rehman to run Lufkin Urgent Care. Rehman treated patients, prescribed medication, performed minor surgical procedures, and operated within Lufkin Urgent Care as if he were a licensed medical professional.

Claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for Rehman’s services representing that the services were provided by a physician. As a result of these claims, Orlov unlawfully obtained more than $250,000 from Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3 and charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. The case against Rehman is pending.

EAST TEXAS � Voting in the mid-term election runs from 7:00 till 7:00 today. There are numerous polling places in Smith County. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com to find where you are scheduled to vote.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County officials remind voters that there are Election Day polling place changes for Voting Precincts 2, 19, 20, 21, and 22. All polling places are listed on the county website — http://www.co.gregg.tx.us — in the Election Department news items. You can also call 903-758-6181 for information.