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HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a UT Tyler employee was reportedly hosting child pornography online before he was arrested on Thursday, arrest records have revealed. A criminal investigator for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Task Force started an investigation after they found at least one file of interest to child porn investigations being hosted on the BitTorrent network, which is designed for people to share files with one another.

Using a computer running investigative BitTorrent software, the investigator was able to find a direct connection to a singular IP address which let them download files being hosted by that address.
On Tuesday, Nov.12 between 11:30 and 11:58 p.m., a download of two files of interest was completed.

One file was a video that depicted two white girls who were both under the age of 15 performing a various sexual acts. Another download was conducted later that same day and that video reportedly contained a girl under 7-years-old, according to arrest documents. Continue reading UT Tyler employee arrested for hosting child pornography online

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department were notified by a citizen on Saturday around 2:20 p.m. of a possible body in a wooded area in the 4700 block of Tanglewood. Officers then reportedly identified the body as Nyah Newton who went missing on Jan. 10.

“There are no obvious signs of foul play in this case, however, an autopsy has been requested. At this time the investigation is still ongoing,” Longview PD said.

Investigators said they have met with family and updated them on the case.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is seeking the public’s help as they search for a missing 21-year-old woman. Officials said Nyah Newton was last seen in the 4480 block of Tanglewood Road. She is described as being around 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 90 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.

LONGVIEW — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman was arrested for aggravated robbery after she allegedly tried to steal a woman’s purse at a Longview business.

According to Longview PD, on Jan. 31 around 4:40 p.m. officers responded to a robbery at a business in the 1000 block of North Eastman Road. Officials said that officers contacted the victim who said another woman had tried to steal her purse and left her with bodily injuries. The victim was transported by Longview Fire EMS to a local hospital where she was treated. Investigators later identified the suspect as 46-year-old, LaCarol Joyce Henderson of Longview.

Henderson was booked into Gregg County Jail on Sunday for aggravated robbery and was released on a $50,000 bond.

Tyler – Tyler ISD Fine Arts is hosting the Carnegie Hall Link-Up Wednesday February 5 at 9:30 a.m in the Caldwell Arts Academy. All Tyler ISD 4th and 5th-grade students will perform with their voices and recorders from their seats. A partnership with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra (ETSO) gives nearly 4,000 students the experience to perform with the ETSO. The Tyler ISD District Honors Choir, student actors , Tyler High Drumline and Tyler ISD Recorder Choir will all be on the stage with ETSO.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Hines at 903-262-1064.

LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police Department said that a man last seen on Friday was found dead in a wooded area.

Joe Flood, 66 of Lufkin, was reportedly last seen at his home in the 200 block of Echo Lane between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. A Lufkin Police Department lieutenant told KETK on Monday that Flood had been found dead in a wooded area. Lufkin PD is investigating his death but they do not believe he was the victim of a crime.

Lufkin PD said Flood left his phone, wallet and keys at home before leaving on foot.

Tyler – Tyler ISD invites students, staff, families, and community members to join in the district-wide celebration of Black History Month. Throughout February, campuses will host various events to honor the legacy, achievements, and cultural contributions of Black Americans. This year’s celebrations promise to be an enriching experience filled with education, reflection, and unity. These campus celebrations will feature student performances, interactive exhibits, guest speakers, and historical showcases that highlight the invaluable contributions of Black Americans. Through these activities, students and staff embrace the opportunity to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black culture. Continue reading Tyler ISD celebrates Black History Month

MYRTLE SPRINGS – The Wills Point Fire Department has confirmed that three people were injured in a three vehicle crash on Interstate 20 this morning.

According to our news partner KETK, two vehicles and an ambulance reportedly crashed at around 4 a.m. on Sunday in the west bound lane of Interstate 20 near the 518 mile marker at the Turner-Hayden Road exit, west of Myrtle Springs. The Texas Department of Public Safety, EMS and the Wills Point Fire Department all responded to the scene and three people were taken by EMS to be treated at a local hospital, according to the fire department.

Officials confirmed the three people are in stable but good condition as of 2:39 p.m. on Sunday. Interstate 20 was closed following the crash but was later cleared and reopened at around 6 a.m. this morning.

UPDATE: Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Wood County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Timothy Nall on child sexual assault charges.

In 2023, KETK reported that Nall was arrested for charges of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Earlier this month, KETK’s Ashlyn Anderson spoke with that victim’s family about the seeming lack of progress in the case against Nall following his last arrest. Continue reading UPDATE: Former Mineola pastor arrested in child sexual assault case

HAWKINS — In the wake of an eventful month for Hawkins, including the resignation of the city’s third police chief and increasing calls to disband the police department, Mayor Deborah Rushing now faces growing pressure to step down. Rushing, who took office as mayor in April 2024 for the small town of Hawkins (population 1,401), is now named in a lawsuit filed by Shahaub Tafreshinejad, son of Alderwoman Eleta Taylor, seeking her removal from office.

According to our news partner KETK, the 26-page lawsuit alleges that Rushing displayed “early signs of incompetence and misconduct” due to issues such as illegal dual-office holding. Specifically, the lawsuit claims Rushing simultaneously served as both the mayor and municipal judge, a position forbidden by law.

The document also accuses Rushing of repeatedly using her mayoral position to place herself on the city council’s agenda, despite lacking the necessary support. The lawsuit details how, after multiple failed attempts to get on the agenda, Rushing’s persistence led to an “unwilling” council decision to appoint her, described as occurring “under duress” following what was characterized as “borderline harassment” from Rushing. Continue reading Hawkins mayor faces lawsuit, calls to resign

RUSK – According to our news partner KETK, Cherokee County officials have seized 19 illegal gambling machines from three businesses operating in Rusk. Members of the Special Investigative Unit from the sheriff’s office and Jacksonville Police Department started a month-long undercover investigation of the three businesses after receiving numerous complaints about illegal gambling from the community.

The 19 machines were seized from: Big Easy Market and Game on 591 N. Main Street, Rusk Eagle Mart at 555 South Dickinson Drive, DK’s/Skeeter’s Gas Station at 467 North Dickinson Drive. $66,000 was seized along with the 19 machines and that the stores will remain open for business without the illegal gambling machines. Investigations into other illegal gambling operations across the county including in Jacksonville, Mount Selman and Alto are in progress. Continue reading 19 illegal gambling machines seized in Rusk

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas – Two people were arrested on Friday after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reportedly found methamphetamines, heroin and pills in an RV. Our news partners at KETK report that narcotics investigators, K9 units and other deputies executed a search warrant for a recreational vehicle hidden in a wooden area near Moore Station.
Continue reading Two arrested in Henderson County RV drug bust

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas woman was found guilty on Thursday of murdering her 19-month-old son. According to our news partner KETK, Hanna Ruth Moses was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

A release from the Nacogdoches Assistant District Attorney’s Office said the toddler, Thomas Blake Rogers, was born prematurely and was developmentally delayed. He was removed from the care of Moses in June 2021 for medical neglect and was underweight. The boy was returned to Moses in March 2022 and a few weeks later suffered a displaced femur fracture despite being unable to roll, crawl, or walk.

Thomas remained under the care of his mother, and on May 30, 2022, a 911 call was made by Moses who said her son was not breathing and attempted to do CPR for 30 minutes before making the call to 911. When first responders arrived, they found him unresponsive, wet and with his ankles “bound tightly” with a shoestring. Life-saving measures were performed on Thomas until they reached the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital where they reportedly found bruises developing from his head to his toes on both sides of his body. He also had significant bleeding in his brain. Continue reading East Texas mother sentenced to life for killing her son

SMITH COUNTY – Earlier this week, a Smith County jury convicted Claude Eugene Montgomery Jr. of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver (a 1st Degree Felony). The jury ultimately sentenced Montgomery to 60 years in prison. Smith County Prosecutors, Emil Mikkelsen and Kasey Sirianni, presented evidence that Montgomery possessed over 100 multicolored methamphetamine pills in the shape and likeness of various super-hero logos and common prescription pills such as Xanex. Prosecutors proved that Montgomery intended to sell said narcotics on the streets. During the sentencing phase of the trial, the State brought forth Montgomery’s extensive criminal history—including two 2016 drug dealing convictions for which Montgomery had received a 45-year prison sentence. The jury learned that Montgomery had been released on parole after servicing just 6 years of that sentence. Continue reading Early parolee sentenced to 60 years in prison