Alleged Victim Testifies in Child Sex Ring Case

Mineola Swinger CaseTYLER (AP) – An 11-year-old boy has testified that he performed videotaped sexually explicit skits for paying adults as part of an alleged child sex ring. The testimony Wednesday in Tyler came on the second day of the criminal trial for a Mineola man charged with forcing three siblings to dance and engage in sexual acts. 47-year-old Dennis Boyd Pittman is one of six defendants facing charges of forcing three siblings as young as 5 to dance and engage in sexual acts for a paying audience in 2005. An alleged victim testified Tuesday that God told her the sexual acts she previously said happened didn’t really occur. After further questioning, the 11-year-old girl said she was given “silly pills” and danced for boys wearing a “sexy outfit.”

Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking


TYLER – A Whitehouse man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Jose Zavala, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to information presented in court, from an unknown date to January 13, 2010, Zavala conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Zavala was arrested on January 20, 2010 and charged with federal drug trafficking crimes. Zavala faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

Club Shooting Investigated

Police CarWHITEHOUSE — Smith County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an apparent shooting at Outlaws, a club on State Highway 110 just north of Whitehouse. Details are sketchy, but KETK-TV reports it appears to have stemmed from “a gun deal gone bad.” Authorities are looking for a person who fire shots at a person or vehicle during Tuesday night’s incident.

Fatal Cherokee County Crash

DPS Patch
JACKSONVILLE — A one vehicle accident in Cherokee County has left one person dead and one injured. Both were not wearing their seat belts. Killed was Amber Bird, 24, of Jacksonville. The driver, James Dillard III, 25, Jacksonville, is being treated at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The Department of Public Safety reports Dillard’s pickup was southbound when it left the road, hit a dirt embankment, and overturned. The accident happened just before 6:45 Sunday afternoon on Farm Road 2138 South of Jacksonville.

United Way Kickoff


TYLER — The United Way of Tyler/Smith County kicks off its 70th anniversary campaign with a public celebration on the Square in downtown Tyler today from 11:30-1:00. Guest speaker is Mayor Barbara Bass. There will also be check presentations by companies that have “set the pace” for this year’s campaign. A free hot dog lunch is being provided by Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods, as long as supplies last. Frito Lay is providing chips; drinks are being provided by Coca-Cola, Community Coffee, Tyler Beverages, and Pepsi. The 2010 campaign will continue to remind everyone to “Live United.” You can go to http://www.unitedwaytyler.org to learn more.

White Oak Marine Injured

MarinesWHITE OAK — A marine from White Oak is injured in an explosion in Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Eric Richardson and several marines were injured after a roadside bomb exploded Saturday. Richardson’s recovering from a leg injury at a hospital in Maryland. According to KETK, he’s undergone three surgeries and will undergo another one soon. He will be awarded a purple heart.

East Texas Man Dies Trying to Save Girl

FORT WORTH (AP) — A passing bicyclist saved a woman and a 7-year-old girl from the Trinity River but was unable to rescue a man, whose body was later recovered from the water. Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Tim Hardeman says the family apparently had been on a rocky crossing when the girl fell into the water, and the husband and wife tried to save her. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man who died Monday afternoon as 47-year-old Richard Walker of Winnsboro. Jeff Harrison says he was cycling through Trinity Park when he saw three people in the river and jumped in the water. Harrison says the girl seemed fine, but he had to do CPR to revive the woman. Hardeman says the woman and the girl are expected to recover.

Brief Filed in Teacher Stabbing Case

Todd HenryTYLER — A local attorney claims two East Texas courts ignored the law in the case involving teen murder suspect Byron Truvia. Truvia allegedly stabbed teacher Todd Henry (pictured) to death last September at John Tyler High School. Truvia’s defense attorney Jim Huggler filed the brief last week. According to KETK, Huggler says the lower courts ignored a required mental evaluation before trying Truvia as an adult. The brief was filed at the request of the Supreme Court.

Investigation Continues in Possible Murder

TYLER — A suspected homicide at Winters Park in Tyler is still under investigation. Officers say they found the body of Ronnie Kemp, 48, Tyler, Monday night in the park on Peach Street. According to KETK, family members say Kemp called them and told them he was in trouble. Neighbors to the park say they are concerned for their safety. Police say they believe Kemp knew his attacker and that he had a criminal history in Smith County.

Toddler Drank Paint Thinner

Tyler Police
TYLER — Investigators say a toddler who died Monday afternoon accidently drank paint thinner. According to authorities, 18-month old Nathaly Velazquez was riding in a vehicle containing paint supplies. The paint thinner was in a water bottle and investigators believe the youngster drank it, thinking it was water. The youngster’s father drove her to the Mother Frances Hospital emergency room where she died. The Tyler Police Department and Smith County Child Protective Services continue to investigate the death.

Tyler Burglary Suspect Arrested

Terry Desmond Vaughn
TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve apprehended a burglar. Just after 1:00 Monday afternoon, officers responded to a report of a house being burglarized in the 800 block of West Dobbs. According to a police report, officers arrived on the scene and caught a suspect, identified as Terry Desmond Vaughn, 34, of Tyler, inside the house. Police say Vaughn surrendered to officers without incident. Vaughn was booked into the Smith County Jail for burglary.