KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — 28-year-old murder defendant Kristian Perdomo has received a sentence of life in prison following 90 minutes of jury deliberations. According to our news partner KETK, Perdomo was recently found guilty in a 2018 shooting death at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. The trial began January 25, with Perdomo convicted after just 40 minutes of deliberation. Authorities have said they believe Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County, though he has only been charged in the shopping center killing. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the Westwood shooting was gang-related.

ATHENS — A Henderson County 14-year-old is being held for murder in the shooting death of his eight-year-old brother. The case was reported Saturday evening after Zayden Worley was shot in the head at a location on County Road 2911. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, it was reported that Zayden was on the back porch when a stray bullet from a wooded area struck him. There were three juveniles at the residence alone when the shooting happened. Zachary died later at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. In a news release, Hillhouse says, “Investigators have continuously worked this case and the physical evidence recovered from the scene and autopsy show the initial report of how this happened is not possible.” The investigation continues, with multiple agencies involved.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office identified the two people killed in a shooting Sunday morning.23-year-old Jakari Hogan and 20-year-old Ronnie Pearson, both from Shreveport, were killed from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office received a call at approximately 2:50 a.m. Sunday from the Rusk County Sheriff’s office saying that two injured men had been found on the side of Highway 79 at the Cherokee-Rusk County line. Upon deputies’ arrival, the two men were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds just barely inside the Cherokee County line. Cherokee County is still investigating this case and is currently pursuing any and all leads. If you have any information regarding this case, they ask that you please contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County authorities say they have found a 17-year-old runaway in Jacksonville. The sheriff’s office said Tuesday afternoon that Zachary Clary had run away from his residence off Hwy. 155 South near Lake Palestine January 29. According to press materials, Zachary is a Type 1 diabetic and left the residence without his medication/insulin, which he is required to take on a daily basis. Zachary did not have a cell phone and does not have any friends in the area to the parent’s knowledge, according to officials. Authorities said Tuesday evening that Zachary was being treated at a local hospital and was in stable condition.

OVERTON — Overton police responded to the site of an early Tuesday morning crash involving a train and a pedestrian. According to our news partner KETK, Chief Bryan Pool released a brief statement on the department’s Facebook page saying the crash was north of town and happened sometime before 5 a.m. They are being assisted by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Pool said in an update at 1:15 p.m. that the victim was a 17-year-old boy. He did not release a name but said the teen was a local. All crossings have remained blocked with the exception of Front Street at Highway 135 on the south side of town. There was no official word on how long the crossings would be blocked, and police have asked drivers to use caution.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts says we may have plateaued in the current COVID surge — but some new figures put that in a different perspective. Roberts says his region has now seen 115,000 positive cases since the pandemic began — and 20 per cent of those occurred this past month. Roberts also says the vaccination numbers are still not high enough. He tells us roughly 55 per cent of Smith County residents have received one shot, 49 per cent are fully vaccinated — and a mere 20 per cent or so have been boosted. Continue reading Roberts: Despite positive signs, COVID situation remains serious

RUSK COUNTY — When Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers Larry Hand and Bo Fox showed up to Charles Allen Robinson Jr.’s home near Kilgore with a warrant Jan. 27, they say the accused didn’t go easy. In fact, they say, it took the duo plus Department of Public Safety troopers and Rusk County Sheriff’s Department deputies to finally capture him. Robinson now faces an array of charges, stretching across Rusk, Upshur, Henderson, and Shelby Counties. Those include theft of livestock involving a total of 196 cattle; issuance of a bad check related to payment for cattle; evading arrest; resisting arrest; harassment/bond forfeiture; and insurance fraud. Continue reading Man faces multiple charges in cattle theft probe

TYLER — A body was found on the side of Troup Highway in Tyler Tuesday morning around 8:20, near Trane Technologies. According to our news partner KETK, police Officer Andy Erbaugh says people saw the body lying out of the road and called officers after walking up to check on the body. At this time, it doesn’t seem that any foul play is involved, Erbaugh said. No identity was immediately released, and the incident remains under investigation.

TYLER — The sentencing phase continues in the murder trial of 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo, recently found guilty in a 2018 shooting death at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. According to our news partner KETK, the trial began January 25, with Perdomo convicted after just 40 minutes of deliberation. Authorities have said they believe Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County, though he has only been charged in the shopping center killing. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the Westwood shooting was gang-related.

LONGVIEW — Longview’s new acting police chief, Anthony Boone, is now on the job as of Tuesday. Chief Mike Bishop recently announced his retirement after 32 years of service to the department, including six years as chief. Boone has worked with the Longview Police Department since 2001, and he has served as the assistant police chief since 2015. His experience includes many aspects of the department, including support services, criminal investigations, special operations, SWAT, and patrol. In the coming months, newly appointed City Manager Rolin McPhee will work with the City Council to determine a process and timeline for permanently filling the police chief position, according to a news release.

PALESTINE — Robert Roberson has been on death row for almost 20 years since he was convicted of murdering his daughter in 2003. According to our news partner KETK, he was set to be put to death in 2016 but was saved a few days before by a stay of execution. During his time on death row Roberson has maintained his innocence. Nikki Curtis was 2-years-old when she died after being taken to a hospital. Doctors had suspicions of child abuse saying she passed away from “shaken baby syndrome.” Roberson has presented new evidence showing his daughter was sickly, and saying at the time of her death she had undiagnosed pneumonia. Continue reading East Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson demands new trial

TROUP — The city of Troup is warning the community about a scam call claiming to be from Amazon. According to our news partner KETK, Troup City Hall reports receiving a call with a caller ID that indicated it was coming from the Troup 842 telephone exchange. The caller reportedly claimed to be calling to confirm purchases. When the person who answered the call indicated that they would connect the call to the Troup Police Department, the call was immediately disconnected. The city of Troup said this was a scam caller looking to collect personal and financial information. The caller ID was 903-842-7486, but it was a spoof number. If you try to call the number back, a recording will indicate the number is not in service.

MARSHALL — DPS troopers are searching for a car possibly connected to a fatal crash that killed a Longview man earlier this month. That’s according to our news partner KETK. On Jan. 17, 40-year-old Kurt Nash was driving on Loop 281 at 3 p.m. when his car “veered to the left, entered a side skid, traveled into the center median and rolled.” The report did not state what caused Nash’s car to leave the lane he was driving in. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of a vehicle that investigators believe was a witness to the crash. The statement said the car appeared to be a silver Buick Verano with Texas license plates. If this is your vehicle or you recognize this vehicle and have information on its whereabouts, contact the Texas Highway Patrol office in Marshall at 903-935-5108.

TYLER – Even as they get busy with another round of roadwork, TxDOT crews will be getting ahead of the winter storm forecast for East Texas by preparing roadways around the eight-county Tyler District for potentially icy conditions. The pre-treatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice starts Tuesday morning and will continue through Wednesday afternoon, according to a news release. I-20 and other major roadways are being pre-treated with a brine solution consisting of salt and water designed to prevent ice and snow from sticking to surfaces. The process is termed a fast-moving mobile operation with minimal impacts to traffic. Drivers should allow a safe traveling distance between their vehicles and the mobile convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials. Continue reading TxDOT plans roadwork, prepares for winter weather

TYLER — A new poll shows Governor Abbott with an 11 point lead on Beto O’Rourke in the race for governor. The poll was done by the Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler. In the hypothetical matchup, Governor Abbott leads O’Rourke 47% to 36%. He leads in white voters by a 2 to 1 margin, and the governor has a narrow 1 point lead among Hispanic voters.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal shooting that left two men dead near Highway 79. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office received a call just before 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning from the Rusk County Sheriff’s office saying that two injured men had been found on the side of Highway 79 at the Cherokee-Rusk County line. Deputies found two African-American males dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Criminal Investigation Division, Special Investigations Unit and the Texas Rangers were called in to investigate. Identities have not been released pending family notification. Continue reading Cherokee County Sheriff investigating deaths of 2 men

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Hendeson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting death of an 8-year-old. Deputies were called around 6:20 Saturday night regarding a child shot in the head on CR 2911. According to Sheriff Botie Hilhouse, the child was on the back porch when a stray bullet from a wooded area struck the child. Investigators immediately began searching the area and speaking with neighbors. There were three juveniles at the residence alone when the shooting happened. The child passed away at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. An autopsy will be conducted by Southwestern Institute on Forensic Science in Dallas. A search warrant for the property was issued. Investigators are continuing to work the scene. Continue reading Investigation underway following fatal shooting of child

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshall Police Department arrested three suspects and seized multiple narcotics and firearms while executing a search warrant Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, the Joint Harrison County Violent Crimes & Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of Yaney Street in Marshall Friday evening following an ongoing investigation from the force. At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Friday, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (HCSO ERT) and the Marshall Police Department Special Response Team (MPD SRT), along with members of the Task Force, arrived at the scene and detained multiple people from two different buildings on the property. Continue reading 3 suspects arrested, multiple narcotics and firearms seized after Marshall drug bust

LONGVIEW — The railroad crossing on East Cotton Street between Pickle Street and 2nd Street in Longview will be closed from Saturday, Jan. 29, to Monday, Jan. 31. Officials say the closure will allow Union Pacific Railroad to make repairs to the track. They say you should plan to use an alternate route during this time. According to a news release, this advisory reflects a requested change by the contractor to extend the project an additional day due to the availability of asphalt pavement.

TYLER — Police in Tyler say they have caught a suspect in a catalytic converter case. Around 4:45 Friday morning, police responded to an apartment complex on Chimney Rock on a report of a suspicious vehicle. A silver sedan was reportedly driving through the complex and stopping, with a person getting out and going between cars. Responding officers saw a silver Lexus leaving the area. An officer tried to stop the Lexus for a traffic violation, but the vehicle quickly evaded, driving onto Old Grande Blvd toward S. Broadway on the wrong side of the road. Other officers responded to assist. The Lexus was traveling at a high speed toward an officer’s vehicle on S. Broadway and collided with the patrol car. Continue reading Tyler police capture catalytic converter suspect

UPSHUR COUNTY — A police chase that went through three counties, at times reaching speeds over 130 mph, finally came to an end on Highway 259 in Upshur County. According to our news partner KETK, the Ore City Police Department says an officer saw two motorcycles going south on Highway 259 at speeds over 110 mph on Jan. 25 around 10:15 p.m. The officer tried to conduct a traffic stop for a speeding violation when both motorcycles reportedly attempted to evade him. The officer initiated a pursuit. Police said that during the pursuit, one motorcycle turned off and couldn’t be located. The pursuit ended on Highway 259, near the Upshur County line. Dustin Wayne Reaves was booked into the Upshur County Jail and charged with evading arrest with a vehicle.

RUSK COUNTY — The remains of a woman missing from Rusk County for over three years have been found. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez says the remains of Kim Flint were found in the woods by a man on a side-by-side on Jan. 19 near Reklaw. Officials came out and stayed overnight until they could get a search warrant. Valdez, RCSO investigators, the Texas Rangers, and members of a forensics team all responded to the location. The remains were taken to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification for DNA testing and dental recognition. Preliminary dental records came in Jan. 27 and identified the body as Flint. Her family has been notified. Valdez said foul play is not suspected. Continue reading Remains of missing Rusk County woman found in woods

TYLER — The NET Health survey area remains in the substantial spread category on the latest COVID dashboard, but NET Health CEO George Roberts continues to see encouraging signs. Roberts says he hopes the area has plateaued on the number of cases and hopes some downward trends are on the horizon. But he notes that COVID-19 is still very much with us, and his advice hasn’t changed: get vaccinated and stay home when you’re sick. Roberts says information remains scarce on the latest omicron sub-variant, but he says omicron remains the primary variant at the moment. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

LONGVIEW — Longview City Manager Keith Bonds has named Assistant Police Chief Anthony Boone as acting police chief effective Feb. 1. Chief Mike Bishop recently announced his retirement after 32 years of service to the department, including six years as chief. Boone has worked with the Longview Police Department since 2001, and he has served as the assistant police chief since 2015. His experience includes many aspects of the department, including support services, criminal investigations, special operations, SWAT, and patrol. In the coming months, newly appointed City Manager Rolin McPhee will work with the City Council to determine a process and timeline for permanently filling the police chief position, according to a news release. Click here to learn more.

TYLER (AP) – Southside Bancshares Inc. (SBSI) on Friday reported net income of $28.7 million in its fourth quarter. The Tyler-based bank said it had earnings of 88 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $66.8 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $64.9 million, exceeding Street forecasts. For the year, the company reported profit of $113.4 million, or $3.47 per share. Revenue was reported as $251.9 million.

TYLER — The punishment phase is underway after 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo was found guilty of murder following just 40 minutes of jury deliberations. According to our news partner KETK, court staff expects the punishment phase to last until this coming Wednesday. The trial began Tuesday morning in a 2018 shooting at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. Police believed Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the shooting was gang-related. Law enforcement claimed at the time that Perdomo was suspected of being the gunman in five fatal shootings in less than two weeks. However, more than three years later, he still has only been charged with one count of murder.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man pleaded guilty to an election fraud charge in Gregg County on Thursday. In Gregg County’s 124th District Court, Charlie Burns, Jr. pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of engaging in election fraud, which ultimately granted him probation. According to our news partner KETK, Burns was granted one year of probation as part of a plea bargain agreement and if he breaks this probation, he will have to go to jail. Burns is one of the four people in Gregg County that were charged with election fraud during the 2018 Democratic primary election. Last week, Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown and his wife Marlena Jackson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor election fraud charges. They have been granted one year of probation as well.

TYLER — The intersection of Broadway and Grande in Tyler is now clear following a traffic accident that reduced Broadway traffic to one lane. Police directed traffic in the roadway while the issue was resolved.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities said a man under arrest for a church burglary broke the interior partition of a patrol vehicle and used it to flee from them before being found. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to Grange Hall Church in reference to a burglary in progress. Deputies arrived and found Joshua Braley of Henderson and arrested him for burglary of a building. Authorities handcuffed and secured Braley in a patrol unit while they went to speak with the complainant and gather evidence. According to the sheriff’s office, Braley then broke the interior partition in the vehicle (the caged area) and got into the driver’s seat, gaining access to multiple firearms as he fled the location in the patrol vehicle. Continue reading Man arrested for church burglary allegedly steals patrol car, flees from authorities