Precinct 3 Deputies Arrested

TYLER — TYLER — DPS Regulatory Agents and Texas Rangers have arrested three Smith County Precinct 3 Deputy Constables for violations of the Texas Private Security Act. According to KETK, in an investigation that began in 2011, DPS received information that the constables had been providing security for three locations in Smith County without having obtained proper licensure. Four deputy constables, Monty Ward, Thomas Burns, Mark Pierce, and Justin Stockwell, will be charged with operating a private security company without a license, a class A misdemeanor. DPS officials say Thomas Burns has yet to be arrested, but does have an outstanding warrant.

Earlier, Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust said deputies in his department are accused of stealing fuel for use in their off-duty jobs. According to a release from Smith County, the commissioners court did some followup as part of its budgetary responsibility after Rust began inquiring about obtaining additional fuel money for his office in the spring of 2011. The release says in part, “Of particular concern to commissioners is the possibility of unauthorized and potentially improper use of county resources. After referring the matter to law enforcement, the commissioners court has had no further involvement and will make no further comment regarding any pending criminal investigation of the Pct. 3 Constable’s Office.”