KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN — Etech announced it will be hiring 200 new employees at the Lufkin branch of the Nacogdoches-based company. The new jobs will be in contact center positions ranging from part-time to full-time and are expected to be filled in the next 90 days. Employment Coordinator Jeanne Schuell said the company’s boost in business has led to the need of more workers. “Our programs are continuing to grow, resulting in more hours and the need for more employees,” she said. Lufkin is not the only branch to benefit from the increased business. The Nacogdoches and Rusk branches will also be hiring 200 new workers. Etech said in a press release that some of the skills required for the positions include computer and typing skills, good grammar, and an ability to articulate and speak clearly.

To apply for the new openings and to learn more about Etech visit: http://etechtexas.com/careers.html

TYLER — Do not let the colder weather fool you, the grass in East Texas is still too dry to start any fires. But there are other ways hunters can help prevent fires. Do your best not to park on tall grass. The heat from the truck can spark a flame. This may force hunters to walk a further distance, but tired legs are better than a totaled vehicle. Also, when using ATV’s, experts say that riders should invest in spark arrestors that work to lessen the amount of hotter exhaust particles. And of course, do not start a campfire.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of protesters gather in Lafayette Square across from the White House exactly one year out from the presidential election to oppose a plan for a transnational oil pipeline they fear could harm the environment. More than 8,000 people linked hands around the White House to oppose the Keystone XL project, a pipeline that would carry oil derived from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur, Texas. The pipeline takes the project through eastern Smith County. Bill McKibben, one of the protest organizers, described the scene as either “a big O-shaped hug” or “a symbolic house arrest.” Obama missed most of the protest while he played golf at Fort Belvoir in Virginia on Sunday afternoon.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on the westbound lanes of Interstate Highway 20 between U.S. Highway 69 in Lindale and State Highway 110 south of Van. 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.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road) between U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Avenue) north to the Gregg County line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 19 north of Canton between Interstate Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 80, followed upon completion by the same work on State Highway 64 between Farm Road 859 and IH 20. A second crew is scheduled to perform similar operations on Farm Road 1995 between State Highway 110and Farm Road 773. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 84 east of Rusk. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on U.S. Highway 259 between State Highway 315 and the bridges south of U.S. Highway 84. 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 area.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform fog sealing operations in various locations on Ranch Road 2588, Ranch Road 2970, Farm Road 2752 and Farm Road 2709. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing and shoulder operations on Farm Road 320 between West Loop 256 and U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement repairs on State Highway 154 near Farm Road 288 and in various locations on Farm Road 778 between Quitman and Hainesville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police arrested a Diboll man after he collided head-on with another vehicle and then attempted to flee the scene of the accident. According to a report, Roberto Galindo, 32, ran a red light at the Frank Avenue and First Street intersection, swerved to miss another vehicle, crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a green Ford truck driven by Jeff Smith, 46, of Huntington. The accident happened around 10:45 Saturday night. Smith had several small cuts on his face from glass that shattered in his truck, but otherwise was not injured.

Galindo then continued westbound, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the ditch. He was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident when police noticed Galindo was intoxicated. He was not injured, but a breath test revealed his blood alcohol concentration was well over twice the legal limit, the report stated. The passenger, Abel Munoz, 21, of Diboll was also found to be intoxicated and was arrested and charged with public intoxication. Galindo was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, a Class A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, disregarding a traffic control device and disregarding a stop light.

EAST TEXAS — The winter fire season arrived just over a week ago with the first space heater house fire in Longview. No one was injured, but the house on Gum Street was razed. Four mornings later, on Tuesday, the county had its first space heater fire, again without injury. The fire marshals for Longview and Gregg County hope those two house fires are the only ones of the cold-weather months. But history tells them there will be more, too many more.

“Last year, we had a fatality because a space heater was too close to a couch in a travel trailer,” Longview Marshal Johnny Zackary said. Another woman died late last winter in a cooking fire, he added. “This year, we’ve already had a family displaced in the Gum Street fire,” Zackary said. That blaze, blamed on an electric space heater that fell over, one of three left on in the house, occurred while a mother and daughter attended the Lobo football game Oct. 28.

Fire crews across the country go like gangbusters this time of year. The culprit all too often is a resident who created a dangerous situation in response to dropping temperatures, Zackary and Gregg County Fire Marshal David Kidder said. “You’ll encounter multiple heaters plugged in in one room, especially in older construction,” Kidder said. “You’ll have one circuit for that room and sometimes for that house. You’re pulling all these amps through that system. You get fires in the wall.”

Gas space heaters have their own, peculiar threat — actual flames, which like to leap to draperies and other handy combustibles, including clothes often intentionally laid nearby to dry.

Colder weather also brings the holidays, which bring opportunities for miscues with Christmas lighting. That includes electric lights and holiday candles, Zackary said. Both fire marshals recommended using so-called sensory candles, electric decorations with tiny bulbs and scents, as an alternative to flame candles.

JACKSONVILLE -— Jacksonville City council members will discuss authorizing the creation of a citizen-led smoking ban committee during its Tuesday meeting at 6:00. “You’re going have people on both sides holding their ground,” City Manager Mo Raissi said. Raissi said the city is looking into putting together the committee after receiving calls from citizens. “At this time, we don’t know who’s going to be affected, what’s going to be affected or even who will be on the committee,” he said. If approved, the committee will be comprised of one citizen appointed by each council member and the mayor to tap local residents’ opinion on the issue.

TYLER — Tyler Police continue their investigation of a fatal motorcycle accident. It happened just before 11:30 Saturday morning in the 3700 Block of Frankston. Wilson Ray Harrelson, 40, Tyler was pronounced dead at the scene. According to investigators, Harrelson was leaving a parking lot just south of a private business when the operator of a Ford Explorer was leaving a business parking lot just north of the motorcyclist when they collided. Officers say the biker was not wear5ing a helmet. The man driving the SUV was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

An autopsy has been ordered. Tyler Police Department Accident investigators are collecting and reviewing evidence, witness statements and other data in their investigation. If anyone has information about this incident please call the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

ORE CITY — An Ore City High School student was in police custody Friday after officials said he stole a district vehicle Thursday morning and led police on a chase around the Upshur County town. Superintendent Lynn Heflin said Friday that a maintenance vehicle went missing about 9:45 Thursday morning after an employee left keys in the vehicle. The district was unsure at the time whether a student was involved. The district notified police, who put out an alert for the vehicle.The vehicle and the student were spotted back in town. The 17-year-old student ended up losing control of the vehicle and hit a tree, Heflin said. The student was physically alright. Police arrested him and returned the vehicle to the district’s ownership. The vehicle was taken to a wrecking yard and is likely totaled, Heflin said. It was not immediately known late Friday what criminal charges the student will face.

TYLER — Starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, the City of Tyler Street Department will be removing a large oak tree on Rice Road. Westbound traffic on Rice Road coming from Old Bullard will be detoured northbound up Richmond Road. Eastbound traffic on Rice Road will be narrowed down to one lane starting at Briar Cove. The work should be completed no later than 2 p.m. Drivers are urged to use caution in the area and seek alternate routes if possible.

KILGORE — Kilgore police are still looking for a man who they say was involved in an aggravated robbery two months ago. They say the man took a 69-year-old woman’s purse while she was leaving a local CVS on Sunday, September 4, at 4:18 p.m. According to KETK, the woman was thrown to the ground during a scuffle. If you have any information you’re asked to call Detective David Falco at 903-983-1559 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

VAN — An East Texas native is found dead in a burning car early Friday morning in Dallas. According to KETK, she is 22-year-old Elizabeth Lightfoot of Van. Investigators say her body was found in the driver’s seat of her car, next to a shopping center. Lightfoot worked as a hair stylist in North Dallas, less than two miles from the crime scene. No word on her cause of death.

“Elizabeth was a kind, considerate and beautiful young woman who needs everyone’s help now,” said her mother, Barbara Lightfoot. She is urging anyone with information to call police. Investigators said they are talking with several people who knew her.

JACKSONVILLE — On Thursday, Cherokee County CID was notified by Jacksonville PD Investigators that there was a possible threat of a student coming to one of the schools and “shooting everyone in sight.” According to KETK and the county sheriff’s department, the initial information was somewhat vague because the original call was from a mother in North Carolina whose stepson had seen the threat posted on Facebook. She looked at the student’s Facebook page, which indicated he lived in “Mt. Heaven, Texas,” and Google showed that to be the “Mt. Haven” community off FM 747 North just outside Jacksonville.

Jacksonville PD disseminated the initial information to Jacksonville ISD Police and to Cherokee County Investigators. As Jacksonville PD and Jacksonville ISD PD attempted to identify the student (which was complicated by the name shown and the profile name – which were different), Cherokee County sent two Investigators to FM 747 in an attempt locate the individual or possible family members.

Cherokee County Investigators immediately contacted Facebook with an “Exigent Circumstances” information request on the IP (Internet Protocol) address and profile information. The IP address information can give investigators a better understanding of where the posts to Facebook were originating.

Facebook responded in 8 minutes from the time the request was made to the time Investigators were tracing the IP address back to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) out of Auckland, New Zealand. Although that information had been received, Investigators continued following up on information for FM 747 and the administration at Jacksonville College while Jacksonville PD Investigators continued with Jacksonville ISD officials and Lon Morris College.

Cherokee County Investigators were also actively searching for other profiles based on the name given to them by Facebook, which did contain a third (and true) name of the student. Another profile of the student was located, and that profile also indicated that he was from New Zealand. A school was identified based on that profile and emails were sent to the administration of Rangiora High School in North Canterbury, New Zealand and the local police department that covers that area.

Because of the time difference, there was a delay of several hours before a response from New Zealand was received; However, by 10:00am Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville PD were satisfied with the information they had gathered, the leads followed, and were confident that no threat actually existed in this community.

At approximately 4:30pm Cherokee County Investigator Dusty Lee received an email from the principal of Rangiora High School thanking the Department for the information on the student. Officials with the local police department stated they located the student who confessed to making the threats. In part the email reads, “The student has now been located and interviewed with the police and his father present. He has admitted to writing the comments and was extremely distressed. He is already known to us as the victim of severe bullying and has been receiving counselling as a result.

“We have assessed him as ‘no threat to our students’ safety at this time and he is being monitored and supported to resolve the issues he currently faces. I cannot thank you enough for your proactive approach. As a school and as a community we owe you a debt of gratitude for your proactive assistance.”

TYLER — The city of Tyler is encouraging residents to report street light outages. With approximately 400,000 streetlights across the Oncor system, officials say it is important for citizens to help identify lights that are malfunctioning or in need of repair so they can be repaired as soon as possible. Pedestrians are asked to use proper safety precautions when street lights aren’t working. To report streetlight outages online go to https://www.oncorstreetlight.com or email [email protected], or call 1-888-313-4747.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department would like to remind the public that opening day for deer hunting with a rifle begins Saturday. Longview Police want to remind hunters to be safe in their hunting practices and use extreme caution when deciding where to fire their weapon. Hunters need to also use safety vests, safety harnesses in tree stands, and use good judgment when deciding whether or not to harvest an animal.

Motorists are also reporting more deer on or alongside the roadways. Drivers need to use caution when they encounter wildlife on the roadside and slow down in areas where wildlife may be more prevalent. If you find yourself involved in an accident involving a deer or other wildlife, contact your local law enforcement agency or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to report it.

HENDERSON — Rusk County residents once again can burn trash and brush outdoors, but county officials are pleading with them to be careful and use common sense. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the Rusk County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Thursday morning to change the unconditional burn ban the county had been under since September to a provisional burn ban. “People can now have outdoor fires as long as the fires are in an enclosed burn barrel or receptacle, there is water available nearby and the fire is attended,” said County Judge Joel Hale. “We’re just asking that they take into account the weather conditions.”

Pct. 3 Commissioner Freddy Swann said he thought it was important to allow county residents a window of opportunity in which they could burn before winter frosts set in and dry out vegetation even further. Pct. 4 Commissioner Harold Howell said it’s never been clear how many of the fires that occurred in the county during September and October were the result of people starting fires that got out of control. “Most of the fires we had seemed to be due to downed power lines or lightning strikes,” Howell said. “I think we can trust county residents to make sensible decisions regarding whether or not to burn outdoors.”

The burn ban will remain on the agenda for every meeting for the foreseeable future and will probably be reinstated within the next couple of months if the county doesn’t get significant rainfall, Hale said. The county is 21.5 inches below its normal rainfall for this point in the year.

AUSTIN – Texans from Cass, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Rusk, Smith and Upshur counties who are rebuilding after the wildfires can receive a free consultation with hazard mitigation advisors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The consultations will be available on a walk-in basis at home improvement stores in Longview starting Monday. The advisors can answer survivors’ questions about protecting homes from future disaster-related damage, as well as offer tips and techniques to build hazard-resistant homes. Most of the information and the free publications provided at the in-store FEMA information stations are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

The FEMA information centers will be at the following stores from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

Lowe’s
3313 North Fourth Street
Longview, TX 75605
Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 7-8
Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 10-13

Home Depot
411 East Loop 281
Longview, TX 75605
Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 14-15
Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 17-20

“FEMA puts mitigation experts in home improvement stores because we know their rebuilding suggestions and techniques make homes stronger,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “Survivors who take advantage of the consultations will walk away with some excellent project ideas.”

Fire safety topics will include creating a “defensible space” between a home and the surrounding plant growth, ideal materials for fire-resistant homes and other measures to make homes stronger and safer. Flood mitigation methods will also be discussed because flooding risks can jump after a wildfire, even in areas far from the fire that were not previously considered as having moderate or high flood hazards.

Flooding may be the last disaster wildfire survivors think they should guard against. When fire burns away vegetation, however, there is nothing to soak up the water from the heavy rainstorms that can occur in Texas. Storm runoff can cause severe erosion, mudslides and flooding. While the highest risk of flooding is for properties directly impacted by fire, it also rises for homes downstream or below scorched areas. At the consultation, the FEMA advisors will discuss measures to deflect water around buildings, erosion controls, ground plantings to stabilize soil and other techniques that can limit post-fire flooding hazards.

Texas homeowners, renters and business owners can register with FEMA or check on the status of existing registrations any of three ways: click http://www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov on a web-enabled phone, or call toll free to 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Assistants are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. The deadline to register with FEMA is Dec. 8.

TYLER — Whether it’s a tree that’s down, a road that’s flooded, or suspicious activity within your neighborhood, officials say Smith County is now offering its residents one more tool to increase the convenience of reporting non-emergency incidents within the county. Just log onto http://www.smith-county.com and click on the “Community Incident Reporting” link.

Choose from any of the following report categories:
· Environmental Crime
· Fire, Flood or Natural Hazards
· Law Enforcement and Public Safety Incidents
· Road Issues
· Other

Residents can type in a brief description of the incident and their basic information if they wish to be contacted by the County. The Smith County online incident reporting tool is meant for incidents that do not require an emergency response. Reports can be submitted anonymously and at any time of day. The Smith County online incident reporting tool is not meant to take the place of calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. Officials say it is a tool to provide for added convenience as an alternative to utilizing the non-emergency Sheriff’s office number at 903-566-6600.

TYLER – Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) presents the annual Smith County Pro Bono Award to the Smith County Bar Foundation. LSLA officials say the award is given to a person, firm, or organization that exemplifies a strong commitment to ensuring equal justice for all Smith County residents.

“The Smith County Bar Foundation deserves this recognition,” said Dana Bias, LSLA’s coordinator for private attorney involvement in Smith County, “in large part because the Volunteer Attorney Program has given many attorneys in Smith County an opportunity to give back to their community in the best way that an attorney can: representing a vulnerable individual with real legal needs that require an attorney’s knowledge and expertise.” According to a news release from LSLA, the Smith County Bar Foundation was founded in 2002 to further justice and the rule of law in Smith County by educating and serving its citizens.

GREGG COUNTY — After nearly six hours of deliberations, a 10 woman, 2 man jury in Gregg County found Carlos Pierre Stiff, 22, guilty of capital murder in the 2006 stabbing and beating death of Alton Hicks, 75. Stiff was handed an immediate life sentence. Prosecutors elected not to seek the death penalty.

The bllind, diabetic man was found in his apartment Aug. 17, 2006, bludgeoned to death. He had been stabbed 56 times by at least three different blades, with wounds to his eyes, genitals, face, back, head and chest, Gregg County Assistant District Attorney Jenny Huckle said, describing it as “a very brutal crime.”

His mother, Lasinda Crockett, accepted a 20-year prison sentence under a plea agreement with prosecutors in May. Crockett had been Hicks’ home health provider for a few weeks prior to his death, Huckle said. Crockett and a friend, Patricia Jacobs, began stealing money from Hicks – he kept his cash, weapons and prescription drugs in a locked hallway closet – and taking the money to Shreveport casinos. After Hicks confronted Crockett and Jacobs, they got a man to pretend to be a police officer and take a report from Hicks, Huckle said. Once Hicks realized the fraud, he made an actual report with Longview police a few days before his death.

Huckle added that Stiff took $2,000 from Hicks’ wallet and used the money to buy shoes, clothes and a new grill for his teeth.

ALTO — The search begins for new police officers to protect the street of Alto. Through an unanimous vote, Alto City Council members approved the reactivation of the Alto Police Department in a special meeting last week. The application process will go on until Nov. 14 and anyone interested in applying for a position can pick up an application at City Hall. Mayor Monty Collins said they had to bring back the police department before Dec. 15 or it would accreditation, that would delay the reestablishment of the police department. After the police force was furloughed in June, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and constable handle 911 calls made.

WHITE OAK — A White Oak man was rescued from his home Wednesday evening by an off-duty trooper, just before the fire consumed his residence. White Oak firefighters and emergency medical services personnel were called to the 800 block of North Doma Street about 7:30 for a blaze that authorities say took about three hours to extinguish.

A nearby neighbor, Tom Eynon, said off-duty Department of Public Safety Trooper Jon Anderson, who also lives nearby, pulled the victim from his home. He also attempted to save his two dogs but one died in the fire. White Oak Fire Department Chief, Jim Nall, said 17 firefighters from White Oak and Warren City were called to the house, which was declared a total loss. The fire is under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a hit and run accident in North Tyler that left a motorcyclist injured. Officials say a black or navy suburban was heading down Englewood Thursday morning and ran into the motorcyclist after crossing over Gentry Parkway. The driver of the motorcycle, Carl Lee, 63, suffered possible broken bones but is expected to recover. The driver of the suburban left the scene. Officials are looking for that vehicle with front end damage. If you have any information, contact Tyler PD.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Foundation sets a goal of $250,000 for this year’s campaign — with over $109,000 raised pre-campaign. Officials say that’s the most raised prior to the campaign in the foundation’s 20-year history. The current fundraising effort officially kicked off Thursday with a luncheon at Willow Brook Country Club. Officials say another $20,000 was collected during the event, putting the total at $129,000 — more than half the goal. The foundation supports school district activities and programs that are not typically funded with taxpayer dollars.

LAKE PALESTINE (AP) – A fishing boat accident in East Texas has left one man dead and another saved by looping his belt around a stump in the middle of the lake. Officials say 61-year-old Mike Ammons of New London was in good condition Friday at a Tyler hospital. Ammons and 64-year-old Tommy Cook of Overton went fishing early Wednesday at Lake Palestine. Relatives reported the pair missing Wednesday night.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark says searchers in a DPS helicopter spotted Cook’s body Thursday afternoon, then located Ammons about a quarter-mile away. Dark says Ammons looped his belt around a stump and partly pull himself from the water. DPS says the boat sank during choppy, windy conditions and that both men wore life jackets.

TYLER – The Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas cautions consumers to be aware of a scam connected with the 876 area code. Posing as an employee from one of various legitimate agencies or companies, the caller offers free money from government grants, awards, lotteries, scholarships, sweepstakes, stimulus programs, undelivered cashiers’ checks and occasionally work-at-home opportunities. These amounts range from $98,000 to upwards of $5,000,000.

The scammer uses various tactics to convince victims the money belongs to them. Some are told they have received a grant as a reward for paying their bills on time. Others are told they have won an award, a contest by making a purchase at a U.S. nationwide chain discount store, a lottery or sweepstakes put on by a U.S. nationwide chain discount store, a state lottery or sweepstakes, a grant, or a scholarship — or that a bank is holding an undeliverable certified check for them.

These operators use high pressure tactics and multiple calls per day which consumers describe as harassing. The victims are told they must rush to send $1,400 (or more) by a Western Union wire, Money Gram or Money Pack to Jamaica. Each time, more money has to be sent for another legitimate sounding reason. BBB officials say, “These offers are simply a ploy to separate you from your money. None of them is legitimate. Keep in mind, once the funds exit the U.S., there is no way to get your money back.”

Various reasons are used to explain why money must quickly be wired:
• To have the money clear customs
• To pay tax and luxury tax
• For shipping and handling fees
• To release a “hold” placed on the money
• To pay US Customs fees
• For the registration fee
• For the claim fee
• For a package fee
• For insurance and delivery

BBB provides the following advice to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of this scam:
• Never wire money to anyone with whom you are not familiar.
• Resist high pressure sales tactics. A legitimate organization will respect the fact that you’re not interested.
• Take your time. Ask for the information in writing.
• Do not send money, cash, or money order – by courier or overnight directory or wire money to anyone who insists on immediate payment.
• Never to provide anyone with personal information (account numbers/pin numbers/social security numbers) unless you’ve initiated the call.
• Check any unfamiliar area codes before returning calls.

If you are a victim, you’re urged to gather all of the caller ID numbers, keep anything you have received through the U.S. Mail, and notify your local police, BBB, and ic3.gov if any correspondence was done via the Internet. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

TYLER – A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes late Wednesday in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Patrick Edward Wornick, 53, of Gilmer, Texas, was indicted on charges of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Wornick is alleged to have possessed child pornography on Jan. 11, 2011.

Ellich Williams, 65, of New Boston, Texas, was indicted on charges of theft of government property and Darryl Llewellyn Starks, 46, of Ogden Arkansas, was indicted on charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and aiding and abetting. If convicted, they each face up to 5 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Aug. 6, 2011, Williams and Starks are alleged to have transported stolen Humvee Radiators, valued at more than $5,000, from the Red River Army Depot in Bowie County, Texas, to Ogden, Arkansas.

Olivia Hernandez, 41, of Texarkana, Texas, was indicted on charges of bribery of a public official. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, from Oct. 23, 2009 to Jan. 31, 2011, Hernandez, a former Texarkana FCI correctional officer, is alleged to have received something of value personally in return for being induced to do and act and omit to do an act in violation of her official duty by allowing contraband into the Texarkana FCI.

Rolando Gamez-Silva, 30, a prisoner in the Texarkana FCI, was indicted on charges of possession of contraband in prison. If convicted, he faces up to 5 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Dec. 16, 2010, Gamez-Silva is alleged to have been found in possession of marijuana while a prisoner in the Texarkana FCI.

Jose Eleazar Gamaz, also known as Jose Eliazar Gamez, also known as Jose Gamaz-Gonzalez, 38, of Tyler, Texas, was indicted on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Gamaz was previously convicted of an offense requiring sex offender registration in Colorado and then moved to Athens, Texas, in August 2008, where it is alleged he failed to update his registration.

Manuel Baeza-Tafolla, 43, of Mexico, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Sep. 19, 2011, Baeza-Tafolla was arrested based on his immigration status. Further investigation revealed Baeza-Tafolla is alleged to have reentered the United States following deportation in 1999 and 2000 after a Western District of Texas conviction for alien smuggling.

Cirenio Medrano-Valencia, 34, of Mexico, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Sep. 18, 2011, Medrano-Valencia was arrested based on his immigration status. Further investigation revealed Medrano-Valencia is alleged to have reentered the United States following deportation in 2002 and 2006 after a Texas conviction for delivery of a controlled substance in Smith County, Texas.

Luis Raul Munoz-Padron, 27, of Mexico, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Aug. 9, 2011, Munoz-Padron was arrested for making terroristic threats in Henderson County. Further investigation revealed Munoz-Padron is alleged to have reentered the United States following deportation in 2004 and 2009 after a Texas conviction for burglary of a habitation in Henderson County, Texas.

TYLER – Appearing in Tyler court, a Bowie county man has pleaded guilty to drug violations. Christopher Dale Conley, 41, of Texarkana, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love and pleaded guilty to the manufacture and distribution of
methamphetamine and the manufacture methamphetamine on premises where children are present.

Federal prosecutors say that during 2010, Conley purchased items such as lithium batteries in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. The manufacturing of the methamphetamine took place at a residence where small children were present at the time. Conley was indicted by a federal grand jury back in May. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office are asking residents to help locate Darrell Chadwick Mills, 32, of Hallsville. According to KETK, authorities say Mills has an active warrant for violating his probation on an arson charge. In May, Mills pleaded guilty to arson, a 2nd degree felony, and was placed on probation for a term of 7 years. Authorities say he has since violated the conditions of his probation sentence and is wanted by local authorities. Rusk County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $500 for information leading to his arrest. If you have any information contact Rusk County Crime Stoppers at (903) 655-8477 or Rusk County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 657-3581.

TYLER – A 44-year-old Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Kelly Brian Quinn pleaded guilty on Apr. 6, 2011, to possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. He was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to federal authorities, on April 19, 2010, a search warrant was executed on Quinn’s home in Longview and his personal computer was seized. A forensic examination of the computer was conducted, and the computer was found to contain 14 videos and approximately 1,600 images of child pornography. According to authorities, some of the images depicted prepubescent minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and some of the images are considered sadistic or masochistic.