KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview are following up on a case involving stolen credit cards. On April 23 at 4:16 p.m., Longview police received a report of a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 3000 Block of Good Shepherd Way. The victim told police that on April 22, between 2:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon, someone had entered his vehicle and removed several credit cards from his wallet. The victim’s credit cards were used at various locations on that same date.

The suspect is believed to be of Hispanic, Asian, or Middle Eastern decent, black hair, approximately 35-40 years of age, and with an athletic build. The suspect was wearing sunglasses, a long-sleeved button-up shirt, with a white undershirt, and light-colored slacks. Video was obtained at one of stores where the cards were used. When the man left the store, he was seen entering a dark colored, late model four-door Chevrolet Silverado pickup. The driver of the vehicle, who accompanied the man inside the store, is described as a younger male, with a thin build and possibly of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, or Asian descent.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of these individuals is asked to contact Detective Melissa Dobbs at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous, he or she can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867). Longview police again urge people to lock their vehicles and take their valuables with them.

TYLER — Hundreds turned out at Harvey Convention Center Thursday as Tyler held its annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. “One Nation under God” was the theme of the event. It was organized in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer. Mayor Barbara Bass issued a call to the entire community: “We ask that you continue to pray for each other, and more then prayer, we ask that you put your faith into action in helping each other.” The breakfast featured various prayers, music, and a dramatic presentation.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police say they’re investigating the robbery of the Cashmax Store in Jacksonville. According to KETK, just before 11:00 Wednesday morning, a person wearing a jacket came into the Cashmax Store, displayed a handgun, and robbed the store of an undetermined amount of cash. Investigators say they believe the suspect was a woman, but are not sure at this time.

TYLER — Details have been released in a Smith County sexual harassment case. According to a 12-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Tyler, obtained by KETK back in October, Smith County Precinct 5 Constable Dennis Taylor hired Windy Savering in 2005. She was assigned as school resource officer for the Lindale School District. She was even named officer of the year in 2007 and officially recognized by the school district in 2010 for a job well done. But…things weren’t going well behind the scenes as Savering’s attorney told us by phone in October.

In the documents, Savering claims after her divorce was finalized, Constable Taylor asked her out and made inappropriate comments about her in front of others on several occasions. When it was clear she wasn’t interested, Taylor made her work difficult and ultimately fired her.

The documents include that Savering was paid a settlement of $200,000. Smith County makes it clear that the county only paid premiums and the rest was under insurance coverage. Also, the documents on Savering must be changed to reflect ‘honorable discharge.’ And Savering must be reinstated as a non-paid reserve deputy for Precinct 5, retroactive and effective as of October 21, 2010. Constable Taylor was required to write a positive employment letter of reference and signed by the constable himself.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University senior electrical engineering and electrical engineering technology majors won first place in the IEEE Region Five Robotics Competition recently in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team included Jeremy Liggett of Houston, Texas; Mark Ho of Tokyo, Japan; Michael Searcy of Longview, Texas, Amy Lundberg of Snohomish, Wash.; and Gary Brown of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

All of the 36 competing teams brought their compact mobile autonomous robots to harvest energy from simulated renewable energy sources that were placed on a predefined playing field. The robots delivered the energy to an electromechanical device which was used to determine how much energy was harvested. The competition was won by the robot which finished the challenge in the least time.

“LeTourneau’s robot stood out from the rest with its consistent performance,” said Dr. Seung Kim, engineering professor and IEEE faculty adviser who accompanied the team to competition. “It was one of only two robots that successfully completed the challenge in each of the three rounds, and our students’ robot took a much longer time to complete the challenge. Our students’ success shows our courses in electrical engineering meet the high standards for industry.”

TYLER – A Smith County teen tells officers he was assaulted at the Lake Tyler marina. Nicholas Smiley, 18, of Flint, said he was sitting in his pick-up in the parking lot when he was approached by a known white male who, he said, began to verbally antagonize him. The teen said the suspect attempted to fight with him. The suspect left, but returned a short time later with another man. The suspect is said to have punched Smiley several times while he was seated in his vehicle. The other subject did not take part in the assault.

While he was being assaulted, Smiley tried to drive away. As he pulled forward he struck a 16 year old male who was riding his bicycle. The bicyclist was knocked down. Smiley continued to drive away and stopped about a mile away where he called 911 to report the incident. The bicyclist sustained minor injuries and was expected to be transported by private vehicle to a hospital to be examined.

While the teen was stopped and waiting for officers, the brother of the bicyclist arrived. The brother, not knowing Smiley had been assaulted earlier, punched the pick-up’s window and shattered it. Police arrived a short time later. The investigation is continuing.

LUFKIN (AP) — An East Texas man whose infant son died while sleeping with his parents in 2009 has been acquitted in the case of another child who likewise died while sleeping with his parents. KTRE-TV of Lufkin reports an Angelina County jury deliberated about six hours before finding Mark Clark not guilty of child endangerment in the 2010 death of his and wife Vanessa’s 2-month-old son, Tristan.

Clark had asserted he was asleep when his wife placed Tristan in their bed, despite his pleas that she not. Tristan was suffocated, just as 1-month-old Christian Clark was when Vanessa Clark placed him in bed with her and her husband in 2009. Vanessa Clark was convicted of child endangerment last month and awaits sentencing of up to 10 years in prison.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – Attorneys fighting to have a man declared innocent of the 1977 rape and stabbing of a Tyler woman want to determine what evidence can still be tested. Kerry Max Cook was twice sentenced to death for the killing of Linda Jo Edwards, 21. Courts overturned both convictions, and Cook would plead no contest in 1999 in exchange for a sentence of time served. Cook now wants new DNA testing that could definitively prove his innocence. Smith County authorities say they destroyed Edwards’ underwear and other evidence after his no-contest plea, but other evidence remains. But Cook’s attorneys on Tuesday asked for a hearing to determine why some was destroyed and whether other evidence is missing. Local prosecutors say they are reviewing the request and preparing a response.

MARSHALL — A Marshall pastor is behind bars for allegedly having an explicit Internet chat with someone he believed to be a 14 year old girl. According to KETK, police arrested Raymond Earl Cooper, 42, on Wednesday morning in Harrison County. He’s currently the pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Marshall. Police say he tried to sexually solicit an undercover deputy posing as a teenage girl. He’s charged with online solicitation of a minor and could face up to 10 years in prison.

TYLER — A 46-year-old Harleton, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in East Texas. In an appearance in Tyler yesterday, Robert Dale Webb pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Webb faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, on February 9, 2009, Webb purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Wal-Mart store in Longview, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Webb also admitted that the total quantity of pseudoephedrine that he possessed was over 40 grams.

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful and the Tyler Solid Waste Department are working together to increase the number of City of Tyler residents who take advantage of the City’s Curbside Recycling Service. Residents recently received a brochure in their water bills explaining the service and encouraging subscription for recycling as part of Keep Tyler Beautiful’s subscription drive. Currently, about 12 percent of the City’s 28,500 residential trash customers recycle.

The Solid Waste Department started curbside pickup of recyclable materials in 1999. The subscription fee at that time was $3.25 per month. With the addition of semi-automated trucks and the City-supplied orange top containers, the cost for this optional service dropped to only $2.50 per month, which is added to the resident’s water bill. “This is an easy way for Tyler residents to participate in recycling,” said Keep Tyler Beautiful Board Chair Phyllis Carlyle. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to learn more.

QUITMAN — A Hawkins man has been sentenced to life behind bars for sexual indecency with a child. That’s according to KETK. Following a jury trial in the 402nd Judicial District Court of Wood County, the jury convicted Perry Wayne Jerden, 44. Authorities say Jerden is a habitual offender, having been confined in the state penitentiary on three prior occasions for different felony charges.

TYLER — A Smith County jailer has been arrested on DWI charges. Michael Chambers, 66, was arrested around 9:00 Tuesday evening by DPS trooper Sean Waterman after his truck went off County Road 165 in Tyler and hit a tree. According to KETK, he was not injured in the accident. After Trooper Waterman arrived on the scene, Chambers was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Smith County judicial records indicate Chambers’ blood alcohol level was above .15 when he was booked into jail on a $700 bond.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas man who last month led an anti-violence rally has been accused of beating his 4-year-old son for urinating on some furniture. Angelina County Jail records show Kahil Gibran Smith, 26, of Lufkin was arrested Monday on a charge of injury to a child. He’s free on $2,500 bond. Online jail records did not an attorney for Smith, who led a “Silence the Violence” rally Saturday. Smith, who says he’s been sober for a year, works as a chaplain to offer anti-drug abuse and no-violence messages. Smith’s wife says he allegedly hurt the boy March 28 during a discipline session with a belt. A police report says Smith told an officer he was “whooping” his son for urinating on a couch and accidentally hit the boy’s ear.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — The Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 has arrested a Nacogdoches man for credit card abuse. KETK reports, a spokesperson for the constable’s office said they have been working an ongoing investigation into several credit card purchases that totaled over $650.00 dollars that Larry Patterson, 29, allegedly made back in March throughout Nacogdoches County.

Officials tell KETK the credit card was stolen from an elderly woman in Nacogdoches County. The constable office was able to track those charges that the suspect made at several different locations. With the help of several stores, they were able to positively identify Patterson through video footage.

Patterson is currently being held in the Nacogdoches County Jail for a separate offense of theft that happened on April 12. A warrant was served at the jail for credit card abuse.

TYLER — Another case of rabies turns up in Smith County. The Texas Department of State Health Services advised the Northeast Texas Public Health District that a bat submitted for analysis tested positive for rabies. The bat was found near the 15000 Block of County Road 26 outside Tyler. This is the second laboratory confirmed case of rabies in Smith County for 2012.

According to health district authorities, “It is critical for people not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons, or other wild animals. It is important for children to tell their parents of any contact with wild animals or any sick animals. Anyone who knows of a person being bitten by an animal must report the bite incident to the Smith County Rabies Control Authority for proper investigation.

“Smith County Rabies Control Authority advises all citizens to confirm that their dogs and cats are currently vaccinated for rabies. City of Tyler Ordinance and Smith County Ordinance require annual rabies vaccinations for all dogs and cats. It is a Class C misdemeanor if you fail to vaccinate your dog or cat by four (4) months of age. Preventive immunization for rabies is the only effective defense against this always fatal disease. Anyone with questions on rabies control may contact City of Tyler Animal Control at 903-535-0045.”

TYLER – Three Mexican Nationals have been sentenced to federal prison for immigration violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Sentencing hearings were held in Tyler before U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis.

Jose Luis Rosales-Betancourt, 26, of Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Dec. 6, 2011, to being a criminal alien unlawfully present in the United States after having been previously deported. He was sentenced April 24 to 30 months in federal prison. According to information presented in court, Rosales-Betancourt admitted to being a Mexican national who had been deported to Mexico after a criminal conviction for aggravated robbery in Smith County on July 17, 2006. After being deported to Mexico, Rosales-Betancourt re-entered the United States without permission and was ultimately found unlawfully present in Smith County on Sep. 19, 2011. Rosales-Betancourt was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with immigration violations on Oct. 5, 2010.

Cesar Mendoza-Hernandez, 50, of Saltillo, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Nov. 8, 2011, to being a criminal alien unlawfully present in the United States after having been previously deported, and was sentenced Tuesday to 96 months in federal prison. According to federal authorities, Mendoza has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for involuntary manslaughter in Harris County in 1986 and a prior illegal re-entry conviction in the Northern District of Texas in 2000. He has been deported to Mexico three times. His last deportation occurred on Mar. 21, 2006. After being deported, Mendoza re-entered the United States without permission and was ultimately found unlawfully present in the Gregg County jail on Apr. 17, 2011. Mendoza was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with immigration violations on Sep. 15, 2011.

Manuel Baeza-Tafolla, 43, of Michoacán, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2012, to being an alien unlawfully present in the United States after having been previously deported, and was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months in federal prison. According to prosecutors, Baeza was previously convicted of alien smuggling in the Del Rio Division of the Western District of Texas in 1999. After this conviction, Baeza was deported to Mexico on Jan. 5, 2000. After being deported, Baeza re-entered the United States and was found unlawfully present in Gregg County, Texas, on Sep. 19, 2011. Baeza was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with immigration violations on Nov. 2, 2011. The defendants will be deported following the completion of their federal prison sentences.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are looking for the owners of property they recovered during recent burglary arrests. Most of the items have been returned; however, police are having difficulty identifying the owner of a set of golf clubs. These clubs have several unique features the owner would recognize. One of the features is a set of Baylor University socks covering the clubs. Police say you’re encouraged to make a report if you’ve been the victim of a crime. If anyone has had a set of gold clubs stolen that could match the description, that person is encouraged to call Sgt. Chris Clark at 903-237-1155.

KILGORE — Three East Texans are in jail after allegedly burglarizing a Kilgore home. The Kilgore Police Department tells KETK it received calls about two people running with a flat screen TV in the 500 block of Pineburr Street. When officers arrived, they found a house in the area had been burglarized. The burglars fled the scene in a vehicle, according to witnesses. Authorities say they were able to quickly find and stop the getaway car. Inside the vehicle, officers found stolen property. Officials charged Chesya Carmack, 23, of Hallsville, Dominique Scudella, 20, of Kilgore, and James Portley, 23, of Kilgore with burglary of a habitation. The stolen property was returned to its rightful owner.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – Attorneys for a man twice sentenced to death but later freed over the 1977 rape and stabbing of a Tyler woman are accusing a former prosecutor of keeping the knife used to kill the woman for the past decade. Kerry Max Cook pleaded no contest in 1999 to murder for a sentence of time served. Cook was twice convicted of killing Linda Jo Edwards. Courts overturned both convictions. Judge John Ovard has granted Cook’s request to conduct new DNA testing to demonstrate his innocence. But Ovard refused to have a Smith County judge recuse herself. Cook’s attorneys want Ovard to reconsider. In a motion filed Monday, they said former Smith County District Attorney A.D. Clark III had the knife in his possession. Clark, in an interview, denied the allegation.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A former House of Israel member and alleged East Texas cult leader has been found guilty of tampering with government records. According to KETK, Robert Fox has been on trial in Cherokee County. The House of Israel was raided in 2008. Police say since that raid, the group has slowly trickled out of Jacksonville.

ANGELINA COUNTY — More than 30 pounds of marijuana was found during a traffic stop in Angelina County. According to KETK, it happened around 6:30 Sunday evening north of Lufkin on US Highway 59 in the Redland area. Precinct 1 Constable Tom Selman clocked a man driving 83 mph in a 70 mph zone, and pulled him over. Constable Selman tells KETK, when he approached the vehicle, the smell of marijuana was very strong.

Claude Welch, 53, Houston, admitted to having the pot. Constable Selman searched the vehicle and found three garbage bags full of marijuana. Each bag was about 10 pounds. Welch was arrested and booked into the Angelina County Jail on possession of marijuana. His bond is set at $7,500.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Diboll woman will spend the next quarter-century in prison for having sex with a teenager, according to the Lufkin Daily News. Natalie Johnson, 32, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars for aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to an arrest affidavit, Johnson first met the 13-year old boy at his aunt’s house. The two exchanged more than 1,500 text messages and had sex 7 times.

TYLER – The driver of the vehicle that killed 2-year-old Sydney Jane Farris in Saturday’s Highway 69 wreck near Bullard remains jailed. According to KETK, 41-year-old Jorge Cordero-Valera of Bullard was arrested and is in the Smith County Jail on charges of intoxicated manslaughter, along with six other charges of intoxicated assault. His bond has been set at $100,000. Additionally, officials say there is a good chance Cordero-Varela could be living in the U.S. illegally. He’s being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — which means he could very well soon be deported.

According to authorities, Cordera-Varela’s vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lane when it slammed into a 2001 Honda Civic driven by Jansen Farris, 22, of Bullard. Sydney Farris was also in the vehicle. Jansen Farris is in good condition at a Tyler hospital. He is being treated for internal injuries and broken bones. Authorities say Cordera-Varela’s truck went airborne due to its high rate of speed and came down on top of another truck, driven by Crystal Gilbert, 31, of Tyler. A 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, and an 11-year-old, as well as Bartillo Gonzales, were also in the vehicle. They were all treated for their injuries at a Tyler hospital.

MARSHALL — Harrison County Sheriff Jay Webb says a decaying body was found in a wooded area in Marshall. According to KETK, 911 dispatchers received a call at 10:30 Monday morning about the discovery of a dead person on Marks Hill Road and Frierson Road in Marshall. When deputies arrived, they were met by the witness who said she was in the area searching for plum trees when she smelled a strong odor.

Deputies were unable to identify the body due to advanced decomposition. Judge Kent Alford pronounced the body as deceased and ordered an autopsy to determine the identity and cause of death. The body was sent to Forensic Services in Tyler. Sheriff’s investigators and Marshall Police are reviewing all missing person records to aid in identifying this body. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Postal Service is responding to concerns voiced by East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert. According to KETK, Gohmnert says the information used to recommend shutting down the mail processing center in Owentown is faulty. Gohmert says data used in the shutdown decision is from Tyler County and not Tyler, Texas. The processing center is tentatively scheduled for a May 15 closure. In Gohmert’s words, “We got some morons. Maybe they’re just incompetent, who knows?”

KETK received a statement of response Tuesday from USPS spokesperson McKinney Boyd story that stated: “As the Postal Service loses $25 million a day, a national initiative includes the possible closing of plants and post offices. Presently, a congressional moratorium issued last December prevents USPS from closing any postal facilities. Just last week, the U.S. Senate approved a proposal to discuss a proposed bill – 1789, before the full Senate. Again, the US Postal Service was asked to halt the closing of any facilities, until a decision can be reached by Congress.”

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announces Harold Higgins as the recipient of the 2012 W. T. “Doc” Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health. Higgins is NET Health’s senior deputy director for public health emergency preparedness, a program he developed for the Health District following the 9/11 disaster. In a statement, NET Health CEO George Roberts says Higgins “was instrumental in the sheltering of thousands of special needs evacuees during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.” Roberts adds, “During the recent H1N1 flu crisis, Mr. Higgins and his team provided over 20,000 vaccinations against H1N1 throughout East Texas. The relationships that Mr. Higgins has built and grown through the years have enabled the Northeast Texas Public Health District to grow, sustain, and become recognized as experts in the field of public health.”

TYLER – A 32-year-old Cherokee County man has been sentenced for federal wildlife violations. Blake Powell pleaded guilty on December 12, 2011, to a three count Information charging him with negligent transportation of wildlife. Powell was sentenced Monday in Tyler to two years probation by U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. Powell was also ordered to pay a fine of $243,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Lacey Act Reward Account and $157,000 in community restitution to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Additionally, Powell will be prohibited from participating in the deer breeding business during the term of his probation.

According to information presented in court, Powell owned and operated Rockin’ P White Tails, a high-fence deer breeding facility in Cherokee County. On three separate occasions, Powell transported and possessed illegally imported live whitetail deer valued at over $350. The fair market value of the illegally imported whitetail deer, including relevant conduct, exceeded approximately $208,500. Additionally, through the unlawful importation of whitetail deer, Powell accumulated whitetail deer semen valued at approximately $85,000 and progeny valued at approximately $172,500. Powell was required to forfeit the illegally derived deer semen to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve arrested five suspects in two separate vehicle burglaries. Last Friday afternoon just before 1:15, officers were dispatched to the 400 Block of East Loop 281 for a theft in progress. When officers arrived, they were told two women in a 2008 Silver Chevrolet Impala were attempting to cash a stolen check. Officers located the suspects inside the car in one of the drive-through lanes of the bank. Officers determined that the check was one that had been taken during a recent string of vehicle burglaries in Longview over the past few weeks.

Police identified the two suspects as Lisa Marie Grove, 29, and Haley Nicole Crouch Still, 25, both of Longview. Grove was arrested on two outstanding misdemeanor warrants and stealing/receiving a stolen check. Still was arrested on two counts of forgery of a check. Officers say they also found a falsified driver’s license document and several prescription medication pills that were not prescribed to Still in her purse. She was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with a government document. Both woman were transported to the Gregg County Jail.

On April 29 at 7:53 p.m., police were dispatched to the 400 Block of West Loop 281. Upon arrival, an officer was told that there were several people walking from vehicle to vehicle attempting to open car doors. The officer located several males inside a 1998 maroon Ford F150 pickup. While the officer was attempting to talk to them, one of the suspects reportedly jumped out of the truck and ran into some nearby woods. Police say after the initial officer gave chase to the fleeing suspect, and prior to other officers arriving on scene, the other occupants of the vehicle fled the scene. According to authorities, the other three suspects were located a short time later hiding in the bathroom of a nearby restaurant. Those suspects were taken into custody and charged with evading arrest and detention and burglary of a vehicle.

One suspect was determined to be 16 years old. He was transported to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. The other two suspects arrested were Francisco Javier Avila 19, and Roberto Adonias Obispo-Sosa, 22, both of Longview. During the booking process Avila was also found to have a counterfeit government document and was charged with tampering with a government document. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also placed detainers on the adult suspects. One suspect remains at large. Citizens are asked to call Longview Police at 903-237-1199 if they observe suspicious activity or have other information regarding a crime.

BULLARD – Two-year-old Sydney Jane Farris has been killed and seven people injured, at least two critically, in a three-vehicle accident just north of Bullard. It happened Saturday night around 9:15 on U.S. Highway 69 at County Road 152. Helicopters and ambulances were used to transport the injured to Tyler hospitals. Authorities say a black truck was traveling south in the northbound lane when it hit the two other vehicles head-on. Investigators say they believe alcohol played a part in the crash. According to KETK, the deceased child’s father is listed in critical condition.