Dear Citizens,
This month I am proud and honored to say that I, along with Chief Deputy Morris Steward, have served 30 years here at the NCSO. I feel that I can also speak for Chief Steward when I convey that not only have we always taken pride in every position we have held within the sheriff’s office, but have always demonstrated that pride. We stay committed as always to doing our very best for our fellow officers, coworkers, other county employees, officials and the citizens we serve daily.
In our continuing effort to help inform our citizens, we have installed a new monitor just inside the front doors of the Justice Center. This will continually provide useful and updated information to all those who come to our facility whether conducting business or as a visitor. I hope this new piece of technology will be useful in assisting our citizens in answering some, if not all, inquiries.
As evolution continues at the NCSO, we have completed another necessary upgrade to the 31-year-old facility. The carpet in the master control room and adjoining Jail Sergeants Office was completely worn out and had numerous rips and tears. We have replaced it with a more durable and easy to clean hardwood flooring.
We were proud to be a part of the Annual Career Fair at Mildred Elementary School this month. Grades K through 2nd with approximately 165 students, went to various booths to learn about potential future careers. Thank you to NCSO Sergeant Kris Matthews, Captain Melanie Cagle, and Communications Officer Tammy Sloan for representing the NCSO in this year’s event. We are always thankful for the opportunity to speak and interact with the youth of today who are our future leaders of tomorrow.
I would like to thank the Kerens Volunteer Fire Department personnel for asking me to come and teach Methamphetamine Lab Recognition. This training is designed for first responder recognition of the dangers associated with a clandestine methamphetamine lab. I am appreciative to you all for volunteering your time and being dedicated to the betterment of our county. My appreciation as well to Captain Melanie Cagle for her assistance with the program.
This month our NCSO Facebook page reached over 13,000 likes. I would like to thank you, the citizens, for your continued support. It is important to me and to the NCSO to keep the community informed and up to date as much as possible on what is taking place in our county. By liking our page and sharing informative posts such as asking for information on identifying suspects in thefts, burglaries or other crimes, YOU are supporting and assisting us in making a difference and taking steps in improving the safety in the place in which you live, where you work, play and raise your families. Communication through social media is a powerful tool when utilized properly and you the citizens are an intricate part of that. Again, thank you for your continued support, kind words, encouragement and helping our agency help the community in which we all call home.
On Monday March 11, 2019, at approximately 1:20 pm the NCSO received a 9-1-1 call in reference to a possible act of arson in the 8000 Block of NW 1300 near Cryer Creek. The caller believed that the pasture fire had just been intentionally set and gave a description of the possible suspect vehicle. Corporal Shane Richards, along with Deputies Ryan Gantt and Alberto Espinosa, saturated the area in an attempt to locate the suspect vehicle. Corporal Richards was in the area within approximately ten minutes of the call being dispatched and later located the suspect vehicle shortly thereafter parked outside the gate of a residence on NW 1390 in the Cryer Creek community. Corporal Richards spoke with the driver of the vehicle and after conducting an initial investigation, he obtained probable cause to detain the suspect and transport him to the NCSO where a Felony arrest warrant for Arson was obtained. The fire burned approximately 1/4 acre before being extinguished by Emhouse Volunteer Fire Department personnel. This is a perfect example of citizens helping by being observant and reporting suspicious activity.
Navarro County Sheriff’s deputies made an alarming discovery in Rice, seizing a quarter-million dollars of deadly China White Heroin and a cache of weapons. The seizure occurred after a traffic stop of a vehicle at the 243 northbound mile marker of I-45 for an observed traffic violation. During the traffic investigation, narcotics and a loaded pistol were located inside the vehicle. The NCSO Narcotics Unit was contacted, and they conducted a follow up investigation at the suspects residence off of FM 1126 near Rice. During the course of the days investigation, 2 kilos (approximately 5.6 pounds) of China white heroin, additional weapons, ammunition, body armor and a fuel tank with a false compartment was seized. One suspect was arrested and transported to the Justice Center where he was charged with manufacture/delivery of controlled substance over 400 grams and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect in an early morning carjacking that occurred in Ft. Worth leaving one person shot. Local law enforcement was alerted to the Aggravated Robbery in Ft. Worth along with the stolen vehicle description. NCSO Lt. Joey Jock located the stolen vehicle and suspect later that morning at approximately 7:45 am parked on the side of South Highway 287 near Eureka. Lt. Jock detained the suspect for investigation and located a loaded pistol along with marijuana on the suspect. The suspect was placed into custody without incident. We would like to thank the Corsicana Police Department and DPS for responding to the area to provide assistance after learning the suspect vehicle had been located. Good job by all in getting this violent offender off the street.
Navarro County Deputy Keith Lewis and Ismael Esparaza arrested a couple after a physical disturbance early Monday morning near Farm to Market Road 1126 and 1839 in Emhouse. The Deputies observed the suspect literally run over the victim with a car. The follow up investigation resulted in both parties being arrested.
The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the investigation of several reported missing/stolen horses in the Kerens area. Two of the stolen horses were located outside the county and were later reunited with their owner. The NCSO developed a suspect in the case and later our detectives obtained enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant. The suspect was arrested at his residence near Kerens on a felony warrant for theft of livestock. I want to applaud the efforts of our Patrol Division and Detectives who worked to solve this case as well as our community who have been active on social media both reporting and sharing information on these thefts. Thanks to the power of social media, news stories as well as our citizens working together with our detectives, I am proud to report that 4 of the stolen horses have been located. This investigation is still on going.
On Friday, March 29, 2018, the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office responded to complaints of illegal gambling and the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to fire code complaints at Arizona Charlie’s Bingo in Rice. The officers located a room inside the building that contained approximately 76 machines that were believed to be utilized in an illegal gambling operation. The NCSO immediately secured the building pursuant to a search warrant. An evidentiary search warrant was obtained signed by District Judge James Lagomarsino. The NCSO Detectives remained at the location for several hours during the investigation photographing, recovering, seizing evidence and taking statements. This case remains under investigation and as a result, arrest warrants are pending.
Thank you Shae Hillock of Premier Realty for catering lunch for the NCSO employees this month and the Navarro College Computer Science Club for bringing us a BBQ brisket as well. We always appreciate these kind gestures and support of law enforcement in Navarro County.
The Sheriff's Office had approximately 3,112 calls for service in March and our Dispatch received approximately 1,510 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 301 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 266 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested 9 suspects, filed 12 criminal cases and served five outstanding arrest warrants. Fourteen inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and four other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP Units to serve their sentences.
This month we estrayed five cows, five calves, five horses and one donkey and transported them to our county farms at Angus and Petty’s Chapel. We sold one estray calf at Corsicana Livestock Auction for $170.09 and we also collected $760 in estray fees. We had two resignations this month and we are currently accepting applications for vacancies in the detention divisions. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. -Winston Churchill
As always, God bless and be safe,
Sheriff Elmer Tanner