KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE — The State of Texas has filed a motion to execute death row inmate Robert Roberson October 17th. Anderson County prosecutors convinced a jury that Roberson’s two year old daughter died in 2002 of “shaken baby syndrome.”

Roberson’s attorney, Gretchen Sween, says Roberson rushed the girl to Palestine Regional Medical Center with what Sween says was advanced pneumonia, which caused her brain to bleed and swell. She adds, the child had had no skull fractures and that Roberson was arrested before an autopsy was performed. Sween also claims that prosecutors zeroed in on Roberson’s alleged lack of emotion, but what they didn’t say is that he has autism.

Sween is asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to intervene.

RUSK COUNTY – A White Oak man was arrested on Monday after allegedly attempting to steal 21 firearms from a habitation near Lake Cherokee. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office was alerted of a burglary of a habitation in progress by a lake patrol officer. Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said after probable cause was developed and consent to search the vehicle led to the discovery of 21 firearms, Mark Wiggins, 65 of White Oak, was arrested. Wiggins was charged with burglary of a habitation, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and theft of a firearm. He is currently at the Rusk County Justice Center with bonds totaling $65,000.

“This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time,” Valdez said.

UPSHUR COUNTY — An Upshur County man was sentenced to life in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a 10-year-old and 13-year-old in Pritchett. According to our news partner KETK, the jury reportedly took less than 20 minutes to assess the maximum punishment for one life sentence and two 20-year sentences for indecency with a child. The district attorney’s office thanked the jury for delivering the maximum sentence.

According to a release, the trial began on Tuesday where the jury learned that one of the children was adopted by new parents after being removed from her biological parents’ house due to neglect and drug use. Two years later, her grandfather began sexually abusing her by first showing her pornography and then acting those things out, the Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said. Continue reading East Texas man sentenced to life for child sex crimes

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County District Attorney’s office says a 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison, for stealing more than 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel from gas stations across Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Duniesky Gonzalez was sentenced for engaging in organized criminal activity. The DA said the charge stemmed from stealing diesel from gas stations across nine different counties in Texas by using fraudulent credit card information.

Gonzalez was arrested alongside Ramon Perez-Torres and Camila Cruz Concepcion who were also charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
Continue reading 50 year prison sentence for over 9,000 gallon diesel fuel theft

SMITH COUNTY – A Washington nonprofit, dedicated to honoring fallen officers, stopped in Smith County Monday with a travel memorial. According to our news partner KETK, the organization is called, Beyond The Call of Duty. The Spokane, Washington based group has one mission. To honor men and women across the United States who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities. Their travel memorial is called “End of watch, ride to remember.”

During this year’s memorial, Lorenzo Bustos, a Smith County deputy that was killed while conducting a traffic stop in 2022, was honored. Bustos is one of 245 peace officers that died in 2022.
Continue reading Nonprofit visits Smith County to honor fallen deputy

SMITH COUNTY – Since the first round of severe storms pummeled East Texas on May 13, Smith County emergency officials have fielded more than 1,000 calls for help. During this time, the county has had the services of two volunteer groups to assist residents with personal property damage: Team Rubicon and the Texas Baptist Men. Both groups helped in cleaning up damage.

Smith County and FEMA are working to open a Disaster Recovery Center. This will located downtown, at The Hub. There FEMA representatives will be able to help those in getting resources in person. County officials say they will announce when FEMA is ready to open the center.

Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said in a release, “Recovery will take some time due to personnel constraints and the amount of debris accumulated. Citizens with damaged homes are encouraged to participate with FEMA personnel to apply for potential assistance.”

You can get more information by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline: 800-621-336.

HAWKINS – The city of Hawkins approved a new police chief at a council meeting on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, he is Paul Holland. Holland has been in law enforcement for 32 years. Holland previously served at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Dallas Police Department.

Hawkins has seen a lot of turnover in it’s city government recently. The mayor and mayor pro-tem resigned in January. In March, the municipal court judge, the police chief and two police officers resigned.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The body of a missing man from Crockett was found in southern Henderson County on Saturday, according to our news partner KETK. Patrick White Sr., 53 of Crockett, was initially reported missing on June 5 and was last heard from on June 2. Then on Saturday, June 15 at 8:44 p.m. his body was found in southern Henderson County.

On Thursday, June 13, Deshayon Maurice Knight (pictured) was arrested for capital murder in connection to White’s death after White’s pick-up truck was found and processed for evidence.

White’s body was sent for autopsy. The autopsy has reportedly already taken place and was attended by members of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers.

WILLS POINT – A Wills Point man that was accused of murdering his elderly mother pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced to 25 years of incarceration on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Gerald Wayne Powell was sentenced to 25 years on Thursday with 1,144 days credit that he’s already served.

In April of 2021, Van Zandt County law enforcement was notified by Powell’s sister that he had killed a family pet and that he was planning to kill their mother. Law enforcement reported that they surrounded Powell’s home and began negotiations with him using a bullhorn and phone.

According to the former Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix, Powell claimed that he was heavily armed and would harm law enforcement. Hendrix said that during the negotiations they learned that lived with his mother, was a veteran and claimed to be suffering from PTSD. Law enforcement reported that Powell eventually surrendered himself and they discovered his 91-year-old mother shot to death in the home afterward.

ATHENS — Former Coffee City Police Chief JohnJay Portillo was in the Henderson County 3rd District Court for a hearing on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the hearing was held after Portillo’s attorney asked Judge Mark Calhoon for more time before a trial, to come to an agreement with the state. If a deal isn’t reached, Portillo could be on trial as soon as Oct. 21 or 22. Portillo was arrested back in December of 2023 on six charges of tampering/false entry on a government record. Portillo’s arrest came two months after the deactivation of the Coffee City Police Department and Portillo’s termination as chief.

“At the end of the day, there’s always discovery that could come out, there’s continuing investigations, breakdown in communications sometimes occur and then they pick back up in negotiations so, we’ll see,” said Justin Weiner, attorney for Portillo.

Weiner added that he’s proud to be representing Portillo.

“I’m very proud to represent John and very proud of the criminal justice system and hope that it works out the right way, that it typically does,” Weiner said.

KILGORE — Kilgore College announced their new freshman, the Rangerettes of the 85th line. The group chosen will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 68. According to our news partner KETK, the new selection announcement was made at Kilgore College’s Dodson Auditorium.

The Rangerettes will be under the direction of Dana Blair, Shelley Wayne and Angela Aulds, and they welcomed these new members: Bethany Plog, Addison Schmidt, Karsyn Guillory, Ashlynn Hines, Samantha Foughty, Jordan Reynolds, Rosie Adams, Alyssa McBain, Hallayah Hayes, Chloe Bonner, Brooklyn Hunter, Rachel Holcombe, Maddi Riley, Jillian Curtis, Halle Moore, Hailey Pitman, Brinly Lewis, Karissa Kinnon, Grace Stephens, Emily Landry, Ashlee Pham, Kailey Adams, Darcy Macmanus, Penelope Robles, Laynie Taylor, Molly Gajeske, Codi Keng, Emma Summers, Ella Byers, Mallory Craft, Lynzee Walker and Blair Davis

The Rangerettes are known for their high kicks and jump splits. The organization is known worldwide, as they’ve entertained millions. As part of their 85th anniversary, the Rangerettes will perform at London New Year’s Parade Day Parade.

For more information you can visit the Rangerette website.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police department reported a hit-and-run crash and a series of attempted home entries, resulting in one man dead after allegedly trespassing in a home. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department said on Sunday at approximately 12:38 a.m. there was a hit-and-run crash reported in the area of George Richey and Fenton Road. Police reported that when they arrived to the scene of the crash there was one person trapped in an SUV and a witnesses said the other driver ran. 20 minutes after the crash, police received a call regarding a man that attempted to enter a home in the 3600 block of Stracener Road. The caller said that the man fled after a resident confronted him with a firearm. Longview Police said that several minutes later they received a call from the 3600 block of Clemens Road that someone had entered a home and was shot by a resident. Continue reading Man shot after entering Longview home

CASS COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report one person is dead and two others are injured after a shooting inside a pickup truck in Cass County. According to the sheriff’s office, on Friday night the shooting was reported around 9 p.m. on US 59 near Linden. There were a total of four people in the white Ford pickup truck traveling southbound on the highway, and officials said it is alleged that “one of the occupants pulled out a gun, resulting in a fight over the weapon which led to several shots being fired.” Three people in the backseat were injured from the gunfire, and according to authorities, Christopher Escobar, of Elsa, was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading One dead, two injured after shooting inside pickup truck

WILLS POINT – Our news partners at KETK report a Wills Point man who was accused of murdering his elderly mother pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced to 25 years of incarceration on Thursday. According to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s office, Gerald Wayne Powell was sentenced to 25 years on Thursday with 1,144 days credit that he’s already served. In April of 2021, Van Zandt County law enforcement was notified by Powell’s sister that he had killed a family pet and that he was planning to kill their mother. Law enforcement reported that they surrounded Powell’s home and began negotiations with him using a bullhorn and phone.

According to the former Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix, Powell claimed that he was heavily armed and would harm law enforcement. Hendrix said that during the negotiations they learned that lived with his mother, was a veteran and claimed to be suffering from PTSD.

Law enforcement reported that Powell eventually surrendered himself and they discovered his 91-year-old mother shot to death in the home afterward.

SMITH COUNTY – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Wednesday, June 19 for Juneteenth. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Thursday, June 20.