KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to several early Wednesday morning break-ins reported at various Tyler businesses. The first happened just after 2:00 at the Laundry Room, 1811 ESE Loop 323. Officers located a broken window and as the investigation was underway, two subjects were stopped nearby and later arrested. Lucarus Butler, 20 (pictured) and Matthew Taylor, 17, both of Tyler, were charged with possession of criminal instrument and attempted burglary. Then, around 3:30, officers responded to a burglary call at the XLN club, 2109 East 5th and Mama’s Restaurant, 2105 East 5th. Officers found broken windows at both businesses. Officers searched the area but did not locate any suspects in the area.

Almost one hour later, officers responded to a burglary call at Midway Food Mart, 533 South Broadway. Authorities said there were signs that business had been broken into. Damarian Amie, 18, Tyler, was located nearby and arrested for attempted burglary. Later, police discovered another business, Taqueria El Lugar at 2121 East Fifth Street, was burglarized Wednesday morning. Investigators are following up on evidence recovered on Damarian Amie that reportedly links him to this burglary. All three suspects were booked into the Smith County Jail.

MT. PLEASANT — A Louisiana woman and mother of six chained herself to the front gate of a Keystone XL Pipeline yard Wednesday morning in Titus County. The action prevented workers building the southern leg of the TransCanada pipeline from getting in. While chained to the fence, Cherri Foytlin explained what brought her to Texas to join in the protest. Foytlin said, “It all started with the BP oil spill, and I was just awakened to the fact that these companies, in this case a foreign company just like BP, are not being responsible to our earth and to our people.” About an hour later, Foytlin was arrested and taken into custody.

TYLER — A U.S. magistrate judge found a Tyler man mentally competent to stand trial. KETK reports Todd Edward Jacobs, 44, will stand trial for allegedly conspiring to burn down a drug recovery center in Tyler. Jacobs is also accused of attempting to hire someone to kill his co-conspirator so he could not testify against him. Jacobs was indicted in June. He’s charged with solicitation of arson, witness tampering and “murder for hire.” Jacobs is facing up to 30 years in prison.

LUFKIN — A 49-year-old Lufkin man has been sentenced for disposing of hazardous wastes without a permit. David Overdorf pleaded guilty on March 18, 2011 and was fined $50,000. Overdorf was also sentenced to five years probation with six months of home confinement.

Overdorf was the former owner and president of H.O.T. Transport, Inc., a Lufkin-based chemical transportation business which offered commercial transportation of industrial liquids such as caustics, ethanol, methanol, hot wax, cresol, and formaldehyde. During the normal course of business, Overdorf directed HOT employees to wash out the interiors of trailer mounted tanks at HOT’s place of business knowing that the tanks contained hazardous wastes.

On March 10, 2006, Overdorf directed a HOT employee to transport approximately 45,000 tons of tank wash wastewater containing hazardous wastes in a trailer mounted tank from the business to Quala Wash in Houston for disposal and authorized payment of $450 to Clinton Promise for the disposal.

As part of his plea agreement with the government, Overdorf has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine. He must also hire an independent environmental engineering firm within four weeks to determine the full extent of soil contamination at HOT’s former business site. Overdorf must also spend up to $250,000 towards the costs of cleaning up any contamination left at the site. HOT is no longer in business.

TYLER – A man wanted in connection with a recent incident at Tyler’s Varsity Place Apartments has been arrested. Sirbrycelon Shelton, 19, of Kilgore, was arrested Monday after his release from the hospital and charged with burglary.

Tyler Police were called to the scene of a shooting that occurred around 9:30 a.m. Friday at Varsity Place Apartments, at 3400 Varsity Drive. Officers contacted Bradley Jackson, 19, of Dallas, who attends Tyler Junior College and lives in apartment 804. Jackson told officers that he believed he was being robbed by another suspect who was armed with a handgun standing at the doorway of his apartment. That suspect has been named as Shelton.

Police say Jackson produced a handgun and shot Shelton in his doorway. According to authorities, Shelton fled on foot, leaving a blood trail that ended up in building 21 of the complex. Officers searched the apartment and failed to locate anyone inside. Investigators discovered narcotics at the scene of the incident and believe they played a role in the motive of the shooting.

ATHENS – Funeral services will be held this weekend for long-time Henderson County Justice of the Peace Henry Ashford. The 65 year old Ashford died this past Saturday in Waco where he had gone to visit family members. It appears he died of a heart attack.

Ashford was first elected the Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace in 2002. It will now be up to Henderson County commissioners to appoint Ashford’s successor. That person would serve out the remainder of Ashford’s term, which ends December 31, 2013.

Funeral services for Ashford will be held on Saturday at 11:00am at First Baptist Church in Athens.

ANGELINA COUNTY — In a strange occurrence, a Diboll man has died after being struck with an arrow Tuesday morning. Angelina County deputies were dispatched to the scene located in the 100 block of Tidwell around 8:30. According to KETK, Sheriff’s officials are currently investigating the death, but could not give a detailed account of what happened at this time. The Lufkin Daily News – http://lufkindailynews.com – reports the man apparently shot himself in the chest with a crossbow. The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification next of kin.

TYLER — Starting Wednesday, the City of Tyler will be replacing the water main on North Hill Avenue from Harmony Street to the dead end north of West Nutbush Street. The work is expected to last three weeks. The street will not be closed completely to traffic, but it is advised that drivers plan alternative routes during the day.

CAMP COUNTY — A Mount Pleasant woman has been killed when the van she was driving ran into the back of a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 271 south of Pittsburg. According to the Longview News-Journal, Donna Couch, 61, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, which occurred about 4:30 yesterday morning in Camp County. Dark said the van burst into flames when it slammed into the rear of the southbound tractor-trailer, which had slowed to make a left turn. Dark said the investigation of the crash is ongoing and could not release further details about the incident.

TYLER – The jury that convicted a man in a cold case Smith County murder has also given him life in prison. He was also fined $10,000. Monday afternoon, Shams Emil Masters, 34, was convicted of the 1999 murder of William Thomas Young, 19. He died at the Woodland estates subdivision, off Noonday Road, from a single gunshot wound. He was sentenced Tuesday morning to life.

At the time of the shooting, authorities suspected Masters of murdering Young, but did not have enough evidence to charge him with murder. Masters was taken into custody at the time of Young’s death for possession of methamphetamine, which law enforcement found on him. He received a 6-year prison term.

To go to trial, Masters had to be extradited from a prison in Colorado, where he was already serving time for seven bank robberies.

LUFKIN — Crime Stoppers of Lufkin is asking for the public’s help in locating Andrew Esqueda. According to KETK, as of October 22, Angelina County Community Supervision and Corrections Department and Lufkin Municipal Court hold active warrants for the arrest of Esqueda. He’s wanted for a revocation of probation warrant from an original charge of burglary of a habitation. The court`s warrants are for a misdemeanor traffic offense, public intoxication, theft and failure to appear. The 27-year-old, white male is said to have black hair and brown eyes, approximately 5’11″ and weighs 135 pounds. His last verified address was on Paul Avenue in Lufkin but he is believed to be living in or around Nacogdoches. If you know the location of Andrew Esqueda, call Crime Stoppers of Lufkin at 936-639-TIPS or click here to submit an anonymous tip.

LONGVIEW (AP) – A small East Texas county is awaiting word from the secretary of state on what to do with more than 250 ballots already cast after an error was discovered on the first day of early voting. Camp County clerk Elaine Young says officials made “emergency ballots” Monday while they waited for new ballots to be printed. The Longview News-Journal reports that Libertarian candidate Sherri Little was listed as a Democrat in a State Board of Education race. Young says Little pointed out the error about 2:00 Monday afternoon. Young said it was the second time ballots had to be reprinted for the November 6 election. Longtime Republican U.S. Representative Ralph Hall was left off the first ballot.

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County man was arrested early Monday morning after holding officers at bay most of the night. Taken into custody was Jesus Salaiz, 21, of North Hidden Forest. Salaiz was said to have barricaded himself inside the residence and would step outside to speak with officers. Officers circled the house and finally were able to talk Salaiz into surrendering. They are said to have found a couple of semi-automatic weapons near the front door.

During the standoff, an officer fired one round when it appeared that Salaiz was taking aim at a Gregg County deputy. The suspect was not hit.

He has been charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and disorderly conduct (vulgar language). He was also charged with resisting arrest after struggling with officers booking him into the Gregg County Jail.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches traffic stop turned up a dozen alleged illegal aliens. It happened shortly before 2:45 Monday afternoon when an officer stopped an SUV when the driver failed to signal a lane change. There were 12 people in the van. When their travel information didn’t make sense, he called a translator to the scene. The translator was able to determine that the group had paid money to travel into the U.S. illegally. None of the people in the SUV had identification papers. The group ranged in age from 19 to 30.

CENTERVILLE – An Angelina County man was one of two persons killed in a Leon County wreck. It occurred early Monday morning on State Highway 7, about 16 miles east of Centerville. Dead at the scene was Marcus Jabbar Nichols, 30, of Lufkin, and James Dewayne Johnson, 30, of Jasper. The Department of Public Safety reports a tractor trailer rig had slowed to make a right turn when the victims’ car rear ended the trailer.

LONGVIEW — An East Texas woman will serve ten years for her role in stealing Christmas gifts meant for foster children. KETK reports Sara Adams was sentenced on several charges, including burglary of a habitation and theft from a nonprofit. The gifts were valued at $20,000. They were swiped last December from a Longview storage facility that belonged to the Gregg County Child Welfare Board. Another woman, Racheal Bradley, was also arrested; her trial is set for next month.

TYLER — Early voting in the November elections in Texas began Monday, and big crowds were reported in Tyler. KETK reports it was packed at the Courthouse Annex, with hundreds turning out. Along with the presidential election and others, one high-profile ballot measure involves loosening of alcohol regulations in parts of Smith County. Residents of the city of Tyler and Justice Precinct 2 will each decide on sales of mixed drinks in restaurants where it’s not already permitted, along with sales of beer and wine in local stores.

In Smith County, early voting will run from 8:00am until 5:00pm daily from October 22nd through October 26th. It will be from 7:00am until 7:00pm on Saturday, October 27, from 1:00pm till 6:00pm on Sunday, October 28th, and from October 29th through November 2, it will be from 7:00am until 7:00pm.

There are five locations around Smith County for early voting:
The Smith County Annex, 200 East Ferguson, Suite 500,
Noonday Community Center, 16662 County Road 196,
Whitehouse Municipal Court, 311 East Main,
Lindale Masonic Lodge, 200 Margaret Street, and,
Heritage Building, 1900 Bellwood Road, in Tyler

FRANKSTON — Frankston Police are on the lookout for some roadside scammers. According to KETK, a couple of men stopped on the side of the road, put the hood of their car up and ask those who stop to help for money for a tow truck. Police describe the pair as white males, between 45-50 years old, driving a silver Ford Focus.

LONGVIEW — A Longview hair dresser has been arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a 7-year-old boy. Dechedrick Darnel Johnson, 27, Longview, has been accused of violating the boy with a broomstick straw after he came to the child’s home to cut the child’s babysitter’s hair on August 18. The child told his family about the assault September 30 and they notified the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. According to KETK, Johnson was arrested Thursday night and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. He is currently in the Gregg County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER – Texas Department of Transportation contractor R.K. Hall is beginning approximately two months of pavement repair and resurfacing operations on State Highway 110 south of Tyler between Shiloh Road and Toll 49.

Also this week in Smith County, TxDOT is scheduled to close the westbound Interstate Highway 20 exit at Farm Road 849 (Hide-A-Way Lake) in conjunction with North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) contractor CH2M-Hill and its project to build frontage roads for segment 3B of Toll 49. Officials announced closure of the exit between 7:00am and 6:00pm Monday and Tuesday to allow the new Toll 49 frontage road to be tied into FM 849. Once the work at FM 849 is complete, crews are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on IH 20 near the Willow Branch Road exit.

Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays during the work. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin resurfacing operations on State Highway 243 between State Highway 198 in Canton and the Kaufman County Line. A second crew scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 80 in various locations in and around Fruitvale. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on State Highway 43 between the Henderson Star and Farm Road 1251 in New Prospect. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1799 between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 779 in Golden, and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Spur 502 (Judson Road) between Loop 281and U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Avenue). A second crew is scheduled to complete shoulder work on Interstate Highway 20 between the Smith County line and State Highway 135 in Kilgore. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 837 north of Palestine between State Highway 19 in Bradford and Farm Road 315 in Brushy Creek. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also of note for motorists using State Highway 294 between Elkhart and Alto: TxDOT will resume closing SH 294 to thru-traffic during daylight hours this week between Farm Road 23 and State Highway 21 in Cherokee County for tree trimming and removal operations. The closure will be in effect between 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday-Friday through October.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation this week are scheduled to perform ditch work in various locations on Farm Road 1615 south of Athens. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews have resumed closing State Highway 294 to thru-traffic during daylight hours this week between State Highway 21 in Alto and Farm Road 23 near the Anderson County Line for tree trimming and removal. The closure will be in effect weekdays between 8:00am to 3:00pm. State Highway 294 will be open to all traffic each day after 3:00pm and until work begins the following weekday at 8:00am.

JACKSONVILLE — A suspect is now in custody after a fatal shooting early Saturday. According to KETK, “Coach” Stacy Dewayne Hunter, the owner of a local club, was shot and killed. Jimmy Deshawn Mosley, 24, turned himself into authorities around 6:30 Saturday morning. Mosley is believed to have shot and killed the 43-year-old outside of Stacey’s Club just after 4:00. Mosley has been charged with capital murder. His bond was set at $250,000. Police say it is still unclear as to what lead to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.

Stacy Dewayne Hunter was a well-known and well-liked Pop Warner coach in Jacksonville. His personal facebook page says he has also worked for the city. Hunter owned the club on Highway 69, ‘Stacy’s.’

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a reported assault around 8:45 on the 2000 block of North Carlyle. As officers arrived on scene, the suspects in the assault had returned and were assaulting the victim again. The suspects in the case had a machete and a baseball bat with them. Upon further investigation it was determined that the three suspects had actually assaulted and stolen property from Adalberto Garcia. The suspects then came back and assaulted Garcia again. Officers were advised that the incident stems from a possible confrontation that occurred the day before. Manuel Verde,18, Adan Gonzalez, 17, and Martin Ruiz, 24, (pictured) were arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and robbery. They were booked into Smith County Jail. The victim in the case sustained minor injuries.

TYLER — A short high speed and foot chase has lead to the arrest of a man troopers say is the suspect in the Tyler bank robbery. Trooper Jean Dark tells KETK, during a route traffic stop on I-20 just before 11 Friday night, troopers had pulled over Kevin Don Sinquefield, 37, Tyler. Police discovered two warrants had already be issued for his arrest. Sinquefield then took off. The high speed chase ending in Gregg County after troopers shot Sinquefield’s tires out. Sinquefield then ran from police and arrested shortly after. Tyler police have confirmed Sinquefield is the suspect in the robbery of the Tyler Austin Bank at 5515 Old Bullard Road Friday afternoon. Officials said the suspect approached a teller and passed her a note demanding money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect exited the bank and left the area on foot. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail, charged with evading arrest and resisting arrest. A warrant was issued out of Tyler. His bond was set at $777,500.

LAKE PALESTINE — A search has been underway all week on Lake Palestine just off off Highway 155 under the bridge in the Coffee City area. A Texas Ranger on the scene told KETK that DPS and the Smith County Sheriff’s office, along with a dive recovery team are searching for a weapon they believe was used in a murder that happened last month in Smith County. He said the body was found in Anderson County. Detectives with the Sheriff’s office later confirmed that information. Detective Pamela Dunklin tells KETK they cannot give out any more details at this time to protect those involved. Officials will continue their search next week.

TYLER — University of Texas at Tyler Police are investigating a possible sexual assault, according to KETK. Earlier Friday, the university issued the following statement to students:

On Friday, October 19, the University of Texas at Tyler Police Department was made aware of a possible sexual assault that had occurred within the past two weeks at the University Pines Apartments, 3333 Varsity Drive. Additional information from the complainant led police to a potential second victim, who stated the same suspect had attempted to sexually assault her, on or about October 6, also at University Pines Apartments. At this time, both of these cases are under preliminary investigation and there has been no warrant issued for the suspect. However, information received thus far appears credible and the investigation is ongoing. The University Police believe that the suspect represents an ongoing danger to the campus community. Information is that the alleged perpetrator has been seen at various locations around campus including the University Center, Patriot Zone, PHE building and near the lakes on campus. The suspect is described as a 5’6, 130 pounds, slender, light skinned black male.

TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve made an arrest in a home invasion. On Friday around 2:00 a.m., police responded to Quail Creek Apartments, 4901 Kinsey, on a 911 call of an auto burglary that had just occurred. A female victim reported that she observed a suspect in her vehicle while she was moving items to her vehicle from her apartment. The victim yelled at the suspect to get out of her vehicle, and he fled on foot. The victim called 911 reporting that her laptop computer had just been stolen.

While officers on the scene were searching for the suspect involved in the auto burglary, a man exited an upstairs apartment, number 2021. Police say he was in the process of stealing items from the apartment while it was occupied by a couple sleeping. According to police, the suspect left the stolen goods that he had piled up in the living-room and got out the front door. Police say he then walked by an officer who was not aware he had just allegedly broken into the apartment.

Officers say they located him moments later in the complex after the 911 call was received about the burglary. The suspect was identified as Jermaine Jerrand Jackson, 20, of Tyler. Jackson fled from police on foot and resisted arrest when officers caught him, according to police. Police also say Jackson is a felon and was in possession of a firearm that was previously stolen during the commission of another burglary in Smith County. Jackson was charged with burglary of habitation, unlawful possession of firearm by a felon, theft of firearm, evading arrest, and resisting arrest.

TYLER — Tyler investigators have been advised the person they were searching for in a Friday morning shooting incident was located later Friday at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview. The man is identified as Sirbrycelon Shelton, age 19, of Kilgore. Shelton suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand and has been sent to Dallas for surgery. Investigators are working on an arrest warrant for Shelton for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Tyler Police were called to the scene of a shooting that occurred around 9:30 a.m. Friday at Varsity Place Apartments, at 3400 Varsity Drive. Officers contacted Bradley Jackson, 19, of Dallas, who attends Tyler Junior College and lives in apartment 804. Jackson told officers that he believed he was being robbed by another suspect who was armed with a handgun standing at the doorway of his apartment. That suspect has now been named as Shelton.

Police say Jackson produced a handgun and shot Shelton in his doorway. According to authorities, Shelton fled on foot, leaving a blood trail that ended up in building 21 of the complex. Officers searched the apartment and failed to locate anyone inside. Investigators discovered narcotics at the scene of the incident and believe they played a role in the motive of the shooting. Investigators are sorting out the details of the incident. It was the latest in a series of disturbances near the UT Tyler campus, including a robbery and beating Tuesday morning at Varsity Place.

TYLER – A man accused of killing his girlfriend’s one year old son has the death penalty hanging over him. State District Judge Kerry Russell Thursday denied a motion by lawyers for Simon Lopez that sought to avoid the death penalty. The next hearing for the 28 year old Lopez is November 16th.

Lopez is charged with capital murder in the 2010 death of one year old Jeremy Silva. An autopsy determined Jeremy Silva died from blunt force trauma. Investigators say Lopez was watching the child in Tyler, while the mother was at work, when he called one of her relatives to say the boy wasn’t breathing. Police say Lopez left the youngster with the relative and fled. He was caught in July, 2011, in Queretaro, Mexico.

The infants’ mother, Emma Torres, 21, had also been charged with capital murder in the case. Earlier this month Judge Russell sentenced Emma Torres, 21, to two years in a state jail facility for child abandonment/endangering a child after she pleaded guilty. The capital murder charge was dropped October 8 after the District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss it on August 20.

HOOKS — An East Texas police officer who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly stabbing his wife with syringes has had new charges filed against him. Investigators say it was first thought Hooks Police officer David Horn had stabbed his wife with syringes filled with animal tranquilizer. Now investigators say the syringes actually contained drugs used to euthanize animals.

The original charge against Horn was dropped and he is now charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon to a family member. That is a first degree felony. His bond has been setat $1 million.

His wife, Misty Gail Horn, who he is accused of attacking, is hospitalized in intensive care. And now, a second woman has come forward to say she also had been attacked by Horn.

NECHES – The Department of Public Safety has identified the victim of a three vehicle accident in Anderson County. It was reported around 1:15 Tuesday afternoon On U.S Highway 79 near Neches. Dead at the scene was Bonnie W. Poston, 81, of Palestine.

The DPS report says Poston was west bound on U.S. 79 when her car drifted into the east lane of traffic and hit the rear axles of a truck’s trailer driven by Kevin Owen, 46, of Murphy. It was then hit by a second vehicle driven by Danny Seymour, 63, of Louisville, Kentucky. Authorities are still trying to figure out why Poston’s car drifted out of her lane.