CRIME & PUNISHMENT | From The Examiner

Pair of Cuba citizens arrested for theft

Two Cuban citizens were arrested for theft and taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

March 8, the Beaumont Police Department (BPD) reported a GMC dually truck pulling a gooseneck trailer loaded with a Kubota skid steer, was observed committing multiple traffic violations at about 2 a.m. on Interstate 10.  

Officers stopped the truck and they found identifying information on the truck, trailer and tractor that showed evidence of being tampered with.

Detectives from the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force arrived on the scene to investigate and discovered the truck, trailer and tractor were reported stolen from the Dallas area.

Yolexi Barretos Cools, 46, and Lazoro Amador Gort, 26, were each arrested for theft of property between $30,000 and $150,000. 

No bond amount has been reported and both are being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities.

Woman arrested on federal drug charge

March 7, the Port Arthur Police Department’s (PAPD) Narcotics and Gun Unit, along with DEA agents, arrested a woman on federal drug charges.

PAPD reported Bridgette Allen Ramirez, who was arrested at a local game room, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Officers found two baggies of suspected crystal methamphetamine on Ramirez during a search.

She was turned over to the custody of federal agents and additional drug charges are pending.

Man gets probation in aggravated robbery

A Kountze man was found guilty by a Hardin County jury and sentenced to 10 years probation for his part in a 2016 aggravated robbery on March 9. 

Austin Warner Marshall, 26, was convicted in the 356th District Court with Judge Steve Thomas presiding.

He was one of three people and a 15-year-old juvenile in the April 16, 2016 robbery of three occupants in a trailer. The foursome entered the habitation before dawn, armed with two guns and a machete.

The other two men, Damien McNeil, and Seandre McMahon, received sentences of 45 and 40 years. The juvenile, now an adult, is serving 10 years.

Former deputy sentence  in child sex crimes

A former Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy was sentenced to five years in state prison for child sex crimes, reported KJAS.com.

According to Jasper County District Attorney Anne Pickle, John Dees, 46, appeared before State District Judge Craig Mixson on March 7 and was formally sentenced.

Dees had been on probation and had not served any prison time despite multiple arrests regarding child sex crimes. Pickle noted her office made a motion to revoke probation on Dees based upon his September 2022 indictment and arrest in Tyler County on a charge of Indecency with child-sexual contact.

Dees also worked for the Jasper Police Department and Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. After the first of several child sex cases surfaced, his law enforcement career ended. 

His peace officer certification was soon revoked and he is also a registered sex offender.

Indictments handed down by grand jury

March 8, four people were indicted on drug charges by a Jefferson County grand jury.

Cotye Balsano, 44, of China; James Artell Davis, 41, Beaumont; and Robert Lance Murphy, 54, of Beaumont, were each charged with possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, less than 1 gram.

Christopher Michael Landry, 33, of Beaumont, possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1/1B, less than 1 gram.

Jamal Futrell Hakeem, 28, a transient was charged with second-degree robbery.

A grand jury indictment does not in any way indicate that the defendants named are guilty of any crime. It indicates that the jurors felt that enough evidence existed in each case to merit a trial.

Vidor PD: Man wanted on parole warrant 

The Vidor Police Department (VPD) is trying to locate a 44-year-old man wanted on a Parole Warrant by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

March 7, Winston Ingle was involved in the theft of a vehicle and ran from a VPD officer when approached.

According to VPD, Ingle should be considered armed and dangerous and is believed to be staying in the Mauriceville or Vidor area.

Anyone with information should contact VPD at (409) 769-4561 or Crimestoppers at 409-833-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for the arrest of Ingle or any other wanted fugitive.

Silsbee PD: Four people arrested on drug charges

Four people were arrested on drug charges by the Silsbee Police Department recently.

March 8, Tanya Lynn Repass, 46, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia (Class C  misdemeanor).

March 7, Willey Davis Watkins, 39, was arrested for possession on a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, less than 1 gram (state jail felony) and Hayley Renee Schoonover, 31, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia (Class C).

March 6, Sladen David Sonnier, 34, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia (Class C).

Also, SPD arrested George Adwood Roberts, 44, on assault to cause bodily injury (family violence).

Silsbee men arrested by Tyler County deputies

Two Silsbee residents were arrested recently by the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael C. Gray,  34, was arrested for possession of marijuana, less than two ounces and possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1/1B, less than one gram. Total bond was set at $9,500.

Scottie Peavy, 42, was arrested for burglary of a building and credit or debit card abuse. No bond amount was reported.