Former Eustace Police Chief Indicted on Three Charges

ATHENS — Former Eustace Police Chief Kenneth Gene Holder was indicted late Thursday by a Henderson County Grand Jury for theft of a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and tampering with a governmental document. KETK reports all three charges are felonies and carry a maximum prison time of 10 years. According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, Holder turned himself in to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office early Friday afternoon after making $30,000 in surety bonds. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the department and its former chief by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers.

District Attorney Scott McKee requested the Rangers conduct an inventory of the department’s evidence room after allegations surfaced about Holder’s use of city funds, property, and equipment. According to McKee, the investigation is still ongoing and more charges may be filed at the State and possibly the federal level. “The citizens of Eustace and the thousands of citizens that travel through Eustace on Hwy. 175 every year deserve a police department they can trust,” Said McKee. McKee has also asked for a complete investigation into the department’s participation in the 1033 surplus military equipment program as well as a complete financial audit of the police department’s accounts.

Holder took over as police chief of Eustace a little over a year and a half ago after the city terminated Troy Tucker. Holder is currently serving a 10-year probated suspension of his peace officer’s license after he was convicted of forgery in 2005 in Dallas County while working as a DART officer. Holder’s forgery conviction stemmed from forged work excuses from Holder’s physical therapist while Holder worked as a police officer for DART. Although Holder adamantly denied the charges, he was convicted after a trial.