Monthly Report for December 2018

Dear Citizens,

The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office crisis negotiations team attended the 2018 Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators Conference in Austin this month. During the course of the conference, we also met crisis negotiators from as far away as Hong Kong and Germany.

We would like to congratulate NCSO telecommunications Corporal Esther Avery on receiving The 9-1-1 Professional Award at the North Central Texas Counsel of Governments Annual Supervisors meeting in Arlington. I am also proud to announce that Sergeant Caleb Loftis has passed the Federal Aviation Administration Airman Knowledge Test in order to be awarded his Remote Pilot Airman Certificate by the FAA. This certification will allow Sgt. Loftis to become the newest Drone Pilot for the NCSO.

I would like to honor all our veterans as we celebrated Veterans Day this month. We may not know them all, but we owe them all the deepest and most sincerest of gratitude.

A veteran, whether active duty, retired, National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve is someone who at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to the 'United States of America' for an amount of up to and including their life. Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.

For your bravery and courage; For your hard work, sacrifice and unselfish dedication to our country, to all veterans I would like to say not just on Veterans Day but every day, Thank You.

Thank you Corsicana Rotary Club for bringing Chili to our dispatch, the Emhouse 4-H Club for stopping by the NCSO and dropping off a gift basket, our local Pizza Hut for the donation of 12 pizzas, as well as to the Navarro Elementary PTO for bringing muffins and danishes to our NCSO personnel this month. We appreciate and thank each of you for the thoughtful and kind gestures.

In our continuing effort to educate our citizens on the numerous scams being perpetrated daily, I would like to share a recent article from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in reference to IRS Impersonation and Email Scam:
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Texans that fraudulent emails are being sent from people impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeting users with fake tax documents. These emails often use the subject line “tax transcripts” in an attempt to bait people into opening links and documents that contain destructive malware specifically designed to steal sensitive financial data. These new attacks come as consumers face IRS impersonation fraud on other platforms as well. The IRS will never call or email citizens to demand repayment for penalties. If consumers receive a fraudulent call or email, but believe they may have penalties, they are advised to call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

“All Texans should be aware of unsolicited phone calls or emails from scammers impersonating the IRS. This is a nefarious attempt to trick taxpayers into downloading malware and divulging sensitive financial information,” Attorney General Paxton said. “My office stands ready to assist hard-working Texas consumers. The consumer protection section of our website contains several resources on how to recognize, prevent and report scams like this. Being informed is the best way to prevent fraud and loss.” The OAG website provides timely resources to consumers who need help – including identity theft victims – and provides information on widespread and common scams. On this website, Texans have the opportunity to receive electronic alerts and other notices that help warn them about emerging scams that can lead to financial harm. Consumers can find more information on scams here:

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection.

The NCSO narcotics unit arrested two suspects after executing a narcotics search warrant in the 600 Block N. 15th Street in Corsicana, which is across from Jester Park and is a drug free zone. Numerous different narcotics were seized including methamphetamine, marijuana and numerous pill bottles of both controlled substances & dangerous drugs, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia items. Two outstanding Hill County arrest warrants were also served during the search warrant execution. One subject was charged with Man/Del CS PG 1 > 1g < 4g DFZ, POCS PG 1 < 1g DFZ, Possession Dangerous Drug, POM < 2 oz and Theft Property > $100 < $750 (Hill Co) and the second subject was charged with POCS PG 1 < 1g DFZ, Possession Dangerous Drug, POM < 2 oz, and Theft Property > $2500 w/ 2+ previous convictions (Hill Co). The NCSO narcotics unit also executed a narcotics search warrant in the 700 block of South 28th street Corsicana. One person was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana over 4 ounces under 5 lbs and $1,512 cash was seized with an asset forfeiture filed.

The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team assisted the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office with a high risk narcotics search warrant in Mexia. This is just another example of agencies working together with a common goal which is to protect our citizens. A job well done by all officers.

I am proud to announce the recent promotions in the N.C.S.O. Detention Division. Corporal Kevin Jernigan has been promoted to Sergeant in Detention, Detention Officer David Herrera was promoted to Detention Corporal and we welcome Taitum Palos who will began her new career as a Detention Officer. Congratulations and best of luck to all in their new positions.

The Sheriff's Office had approximately 2,651 calls for service in November and our Dispatch received 1,623 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 237 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 246 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested ten suspects, filed eleven criminal cases and served fourteen outstanding arrest warrants. Eleven inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and six other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP Units to serve their sentences. We estrayed one horse, one bull and one cow and transported them to our county farm at Angus and Petty’s Chapel as well as sold two horse and four donkeys at Elkhart Horse Sale for $742.50.

We are currently accepting applications for vacancies in the detention division and as in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.

As we enter the holidays, I feel it is important to remember that not everyone is looking forward to the festivities and celebrations of the season. Some people are not surrounded by large families and friends and especially during this time of year, some are overcome with great sadness when they are reminded each day of the loved ones who are no longer here. Sadly, many in our community have passed on and it will be a first Christmas without a particular loved one for many. I would like to ask that you reach out to your neighbors, those in your community that you know and are aware of their struggles, job issues and health concerns. Let them know that someone cares. No one person is immune to difficulties or heartache and we all need compassion, support, understanding and to know we are thought of not just during the holidays but everyday.

From my family to yours, may God’s blessing shine down upon you this holiday season. I hope you will take this time to take a step back from your busy lives to enjoy and appreciate time with your loved ones and remember, if you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table and a roof over your head, you are richer than you think.

As always, God bless and be safe,

Sheriff Elmer Tanner