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Rhoades
Rhoades
James Timothy Rhoades, a 38-yearold resident of Beaumont and Texas Department of Criminal Justice employee, found himself facing a third-degree felony charge of stalking on Jan. 24 following an indictment by a Jefferson County Grand Jury. The charge stemmed from his acknowledgment of placing a tracking device on his ex-wife’s vehicle.
The arrest unfolded after a complaint filed by Rhoades’ ex-wife reached the Beaumont Police Department. Detective Sgt. Yvette Borrerro, handling the case, detailed in the probable cause affidavit that Rhoades’ ex-wife reported harassment that came to light when she discovered a tracking device her exhusband confessed to installing on her car; Rhoades explicitly directed the victim to its location.
Borrero disclosed, “He had also sent her multiple unwanted text messages and emails trying to speak with her.”
Although the couple’s divorce had been finalized Nov. 27, 2023, accompanying evidence for the pending stalking claim included footage from a Ring camera capturing Rhoades showing up uninvited at a friend of his ex-wife’s home, displaying an eagerness to make contact.
Within one of his messages detailed in the affidavit for his arrest, Rhoades openly admitted to engaging in “stalkerish behavior” and expressed regret over his actions. He likewise admitted awareness of his ex-wife filing the police report as the tracking device revealed her presence at the police department. Despite this, Rhoades implored her not to involve law enforcement, citing a desire to keep the police out of their lives.
Fearing for her life due to the consistent and alarming pattern of behavior exhibited by Rhoades, the ex-wife conveyed to officers a belief that he posed a credible threat to her and her children. She pointed out that Rhoades possessed prior military and law enforcement training, coupled with access to various weapons.
In response to the ongoing threat, the ex-wife’s place of employment, a federal prison, opted to transfer her to another state. Rhoades and his ex-wife worked at the same federal prison, prompting measures to ensure they were scheduled on opposite shifts until the completion of the relocation process.
Law enforcement officials revealed the existence of an audio recording in which Rhoades confessed to placing the tracking device on her car. Notably, he attempted to downplay his actions, asserting that it was done for insurance purposes.