Man arrested after children found following Amber Alert

RUSK – A man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping after an Amber Alert was activated early Tuesday morning for two children who were later found in Kilgore. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Jesse Schmidt has been booked into the Cherokee County Jail and his bond was set at $500,000. “This case is still active and more charges are pending at this time,” said the sheriff’s office. 11-year-old Desmond Wells and 10-year-old Ashlynn Wells had last been seen in the Rusk area Monday afternoon when the alert was activated. Officials say they have now been released to CPS custody.