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TYLER – A Longview tax preparer has pleaded guilty to a federal violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. 57-year-old Marneitha Reese Scott, of Gilmer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid, assist, counsel, or advise in tax fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell on February 18, 2026.

According to information presented in court, Scott owned a tax return preparer business operated under the name of F.A.S.T. Financial Firm (“FAST”), with two locations in Longview.  Scott and others recruited tax preparers to work at the businesses to prepare and file income tax returns for clients.

With others, Scott created a scheme to defraud the United States by instructing the tax preparers to create fraudulent entries on client tax returns, including, for example, claims for business losses when the client had no business. Continue reading Guilty plea in tax fraud scheme

TYLER – Robert Harrison Johnson IV has been found not guilty by reason of insanity after a house fire in 2022 killed his half-brother with special needs. Johnson had been in a state hospital, and a report from January stated that he was insane at the time of the offense.

On May 18, 2022, Johnson’s half-brother Jack McKenzie Ross, 35, died in the house fire in the 11300 block of County Road 1113. He was arrested by police in DeSoto weeks later.

Records revealed that Johnson was smoking a cigarette in his room when embers landed on a nearby towel. Johnson, in a conversation with investigators, claimed that a “ghost” stopped him from leaving the house. He was also asked why he didn’t help Ross who was in the next room. His response was a claim that spirits forced him out. Continue reading Not guilty by insanity

TYLER — New details have been released in the fatal road rage shooting that killed a 29-year-old Whitehouse Marine veteran in Tyler on Friday evening, where a preliminary investigation revealed there was no need for self-defense.

The Tyler Police Department received multiple 911 calls around 5:06 p.m. on Feb. 13 reporting that a man had been shot multiple times.

According to an arrest affidavit from Smith County, officers were dispatched to the intersection of E. Grande Boulevard and Paluxy Drive in Tyler, where they found a man lying unresponsive on the roadway while another man performed CPR.

According to our news partner KETK, the affidavit states that Dayton Alexander Morgan, 23, was driving a white 2008 Dodge Ram pickup eastbound with a front-seat passenger. A white Tesla was also traveling eastbound in front of Morgan’s vehicle. The Tesla was driven by a woman with Trevor Julian in the passenger seat and three children in the back. Continue reading No self-defense in road rage shooting

TYLER — Early voting began Tuesday, several counties have already reported their first-day totals. Our news partner KETK has compiled early voting turnout numbers for East Texas counties following the first day of voting. You can view that list here.

HARRISON COUNTY – An inmate at the Harrison County Jail died on Wednesday morning following a medical emergency, that according to our news partner KETK and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said that around 1 a.m., staff members at the jail became aware that 63-year-old inmate Lawrence Siford was having a medical emergency. Prior to the emergency, Siford had suffered from chronic medical conditions and was under a medical watch according to the sheriff’s office. Siford was taken to a local hospital following the medical episode and was pronounced dead at around 4 a.m. The Texas Rangers are currently investigating Siford’s death and at this time, no foul play is suspected.

GREGG COUNTY — No foul play is suspected after an inmate died on Tuesday following a medical emergency at the Gregg County jail. According to our news partner KETK, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said that staff were notified of an inmate having a medical emergency at a dorm in the county’s north jail facility at around 2:25 p.m. When detention officers and medical staff arrived, they found a 68-year-old inmate having a severe medical episode.

Longview Fire and EMS were called to the scene, who then transported the inmate to a local hospital, where he later died. The Texas Rangers were notified and will investigate in accordance with the sheriff’s office policy and Texas Commission on Jail Standards. More information is expected to be released.

TYLER — Broadway Avenue has long been known as one of the most congested roads in Tyler. Five years ago, it ranked among the 50 most congested roads in the state, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). By 2023, its ranking improved significantly, dropping 40 spots to 87th place. In 2024, Broadway Avenue exited the top 100, landing in 102nd place. The following year, in 2025, it dropped another 18 spots to 120th place.

According to a City of Tyler news release, the continued drop is the result of multiple years of planning and annual traffic signal re-timing, initiated in 2019 as part of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Master Plan Study. This study set out a 10-year signal re-timing effort to reduce congestion and improve safety each year. Continue reading Traffic congestion continues to drop

UPDATE: The Daingerfield Police Department has confirmed the suspect’s identity as 65-year-old John Dupriest Jr.

EAST TEXAS — The Palestine Police Department is investigating a fatal crash that left one pedestrian dead on Tuesday evening after being struck by a UPS truck. According to the department and our news partner KETK, the wreck was reported around 8 p.m. Officers and firefighters arrived at the intersection of South Loop 256 and F.M. 322 and transported the pedestrian to a local hospital. The pedestrian was pronounced dead later that evening.

Based on witness statements and evidence at the scene, authorities believe the UPS driver was traveling west on South Loop 256 when the pedestrian attempted to cross the loop traveling north near the intersection. While the pedestrian was attempting to cross, the driver had a green light and entered the intersection, striking her with the truck.

According to officials, the driver remained at the scene following the crash and cooperated with authorities throughout the incident. The department said at this time no charges are being filed.

The investigation is ongoing. The pedestrian’s identity has not been released. The department stated she is not a resident of Palestine.

GILMER — A boil-water notice has been issued for parts of the City of Gilmer due to maintenance workers repairing the water system. Areas impacted include: East Scott Strett, 405 North Cypress Street (East side of the roadway).

Gilmer residents who are affected are asked to boil their water before consumption, such as brushing their teeth or washing their hands. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil, then continued to boil for two minutes.

Customers can purchase bottled water as an alternative to boiling water. Once the notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will alert all customers currently impacted.

Residents with any questions regarding the notice may contact Public Works Director Jonathan Nix at 903-843-8206 or Mayor Tim Marshall at 903-843-2552.

WOOD COUNTY — A suspect wanted on multiple felony warrants was killed Saturday night after a lengthy standoff with law enforcement in Wood County that left two officers wounded. On Tuesday, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 45-year-old Cody Joe Henderson.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers attempted to serve six felony warrants around the intersection of FM 515 and FM 2966 on Saturday. During the attempt, the suspect allegedly opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon, striking a Wood County deputy multiple times and wounding a DPS trooper. Both officers were transported to a hospital in Tyler, where the Texas Department of Public Safety said they’re expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect barricaded himself inside a residence on FM 2966, prompting a large law enforcement response. The Wood County Special Response Team and Texas Rangers assisted at the scene.

Authorities said negotiations continued for several hours as the suspect repeatedly fired at law enforcement. Multiple methods were used in attempts to get the suspect to surrender, including tear gas. Continue reading Suspect killed in standoff

HENDERSON COUNTY – An East Texas man was sentenced to life in prison on Friday by a Henderson County jury after he assaulted and threatened to kill a family member in 2025. According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and our news partner KETK, 60-year-old Lawrence William Miller was arrested on Feb. 27, 2025, after officers from the Gun Barrel City Police Department responded to a call from a woman requesting an ambulance to her home on East Acres.

Once officers arrived at the home, they found the victim struggling to stand and was reportedly in visible pain with bruises covering her body. The victim initially told officers that she had fallen; however, once she was alone with EMS personel she allegedly said that Miller had kicked her in the face and body and threatened to kill her

During Miller’s trial, officers testified that they had been dispatched to the home several times over the past year. Additionally, Amanda Cooper with Breaking Chains, a coalition against family violence in Henderson County, testified as an expert witness on the trial, providing reasons why many domestic violence victims feel unable to leave and may be uncooperative with law enforcement or prosecution. Continue reading Life sentence for domestic violence