East Texas man sentenced to 25 years for narcotics possession

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man received a 25 year prison sentence in Henderson County for possession of controlled substance.

James Russell Shephard II was arrested on April 25, 2023 after a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigator found digital scales, syringes, a backpack with narcotics and three pistols in Shephard’s vehicle, according to a Facebook post from the Henderson County District Attorney. A person called authorities claiming Shephard was high on fentanyl and making threats inside a vehicle.

According to the post, the Department of Public Safety tested the narcotics Shephard possessed and confirmed them as fentanyl, methamphetamine and phenazepam. Shepard also served a previous prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

“Fentanyl is not only incredibly dangerous to those who use it, but also to everyone around them,” Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer said. “We’ve seen how quickly it can turn a situation violent or deadly. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who traffic in these poisons and endanger our community.”