LIVINGSTON 9/26/2023

JUSTICE 'JUST US' ADVOCATE HAMMERS DOWN

Mrs Rosemary Covalt, armed with information from some 'DPS Sensitive' reports outlining an investigationby Ron Duff naming ADA Lee Hon in it helped force Sheriff Lyons to relinquish a woman's gun he had illegally held for over a year.  .  That report proves that under Hammack, the ADA Hon knew that guns stolen from evidence at the Polk Co. Sheriff's dept were being pawned then sold through a local pawn shop.  That report names Onalaska PD officer Tammy Heeth as owner of the pawn shop who was found to be holding several guns that were reported stolen and recovered or otherwise placed into or supposed to be placed into Polk Co. S.O.  evidence.  Nothing was done to a singleperson.

   According to a witness, Ms. Covalt let Sheriff Lyons know she was not going to see these trans gressions continue.  There was never an arrest, no charges and the S.O. did not even remove the punk that had choked the woman  down to the point of passing out from the scene.  They just "secured" the expensive 1911 style 45 and took it with them.  No warrant.  

    Advocate Covalt also knew the woman had a dozen recorded phone calls with the sheriff or staff regarding the gun.  When Sheriff Lyons denied remembering speaking with the woman, the ladies offered to replay the conversations for him then and there.  

   "He was huffing and puffing" one present said of the sheriff, "but he got the gun and returned it to her".  

POLK CO 9/27/2023

CHIEF DEPUTY RETIRES IN THREE DAYS

Polk Co Chief Deputy Chlders has announced his retirement effective Sept 30th  via an email to The Sentinel received a few weeks ago.  We have sought a statement or news release but none has been forthcoming.  Not even a return phone call.  Ken Hammock was like that.  Me, I always figured 'ignore' was the root of ignorance.  

     One Polk County source we shared the retirement info with has already wondered outloud if Childers was going to run in the upcoming sheriff race making at least three?  "That would be alright with me" one other stated, "he has always been honest with ne."  Another political observer claims Childers is retiring because he is going to help Byron Lyons and Lee Hon in their campaigns.  If Chief Childers returns my call, I will ask him.   Till then just sure ofa couple things.  Lee Hon will run against Judge Wells and the advocate, Rosemary Covalt still has her hammer.  More on that story in a seperate article coming soon.  

"

Judge Kitchens: "If they arrest somebody they can't keep that phone without a search warrant"

ADA Ferguson: "They arrest people all the time without a warrant"

Judge Kitchens: "They get their phone back when they make bond. They don't get to keep the phone as evidence unless they seize it, they have to have a search warrant to seize it. The fourth amendment and Article 1 Section 9 of the Texas Constitution are clear on this"

LIVINGSTON 9/26/2023

ADA WINGTIP TOES HAVE CAN KICKIN HOLES

POLK CO ADA, Ferguson showed up for court again with absolutely nothing.  Not even an argument in the case against Brandon White.  White is a local constitutional activist who has consistantly poked a finger in the eye of the corrupt among us.  All ADA Ferguson wanted to do was kick the can down the road again with ANOTHER reset.

    As predicted in a prior Sentinel Article, ADA Ferguson does NOT have a bullet proof vest in evidence, any video of a bullet proof vest and it doesn't appear that the officer who swore in the affidavit that he saw one of the accused put on a bullet proof vest is going to stick to his story.  According to Sentinel sources, that officer is back tracking to, "I thought I saw him put on a bullet proof vest".   No evidence has been offered in the case and what is especially troubling on this particular indictment is the language.  The Polk Co Grand Jury indicted White for allegedly organizing the crime of obstruction by 'creating the appearance of an imminent attack on a police officer'.  

    In the hearing, an observer quoted the judge as inquiring, "How are you keeping this man's phones without a warrant?  The ADA's stuttering reply was met with what that  court room observer described as, "an impatient directive" from The 258th District Court Judge, The Honorable Travis Kitchens.  He stated that Ferguson had until the 14th to submit his argument in writing.  Judge Kitchens went on to only give Attorney Seth Evans a week beyond that to respond wih his written argument by the 21st.  Hearing set for the 28th.    

CORRIGAN 9/20/2023

TRUTH WINS AGAIN

Phillip Turner (Battousai) and Stephen White (Damaged Beyond Repair) had a major victory in federal court for them selves and our civil rights.  The City of Corrigan lost their bid to violate Turner and White's rights with no accountability.  

   Phillip Turner had already won the Supreme Court Case, Turner Vs Driver establishing that photography in public was legal yet Corrigan PD insisted on doing it their way.  

   Our own Brandon White (no relation to Stephen White) was wrongfully arrested and his phones confiscated several times by Corrigan PD for filming in public.  

  Turner and White came down to confront the Corrigan PD and were also arrested and charged.  

    Turner and White immediatly took the matter to court and were victorious.  Look for links to the story on their channels soon  UPDATES ARE POSTED

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT mentions the Livingston case against several cop watchers.  This is a fairly in depth discussion of the movement and its effect on our society.  Transgressive Journalism is what it is.  

SHEPHERD 9/18/2023SHEPHERD PD LAUNCHES, SHERIFF CAPERS SPEAKER

Much planning and groundwork has been completed by The City of Shepherd and Police Chief Clint Headly leading to the official launch of the Shepherd Police Dept.  A community wide gathering proved that even tragedies like the one out of Woodville told below  cannot deter the calling on someone's life to serve.  

   Having been following this developing story for some time,  I've seen a lot of 'i" dotting and 'T' crossing going on.  

    We all know the mayor, city council and the chief of police did a lot to get this off the ground but just let it be said, we all know who keeps the ducks in a row at The City of Shepherd.  Thanks to Ms. Hagler for her service to our community.  

WOODVILLE 9/17/2023

OFFICER COSTELLO FIGHTS FOR LIFE

Call for Service and Shots fired resulted in one Woodville PD officer fighting for his life.  

Statement from Woodville Police Chief Mike McCulley:

"On September 17, 2023, at approximately 7:15 am, a Call for Service was made to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department, requesting an Officer respond to the 200 blk of Shivers Dr. in reference to a suspicious male subject causing a disturbance. Officer Troy Costello responded to the location. The male subject was observed in a white colored pick up truck on Shivers Dr. Officer Costello attempted to make contact with the male subject. The driver ignored the Officer’s verbal commands to stop and continued driving away. Officer Costello pursued the suspect vehicle down Shivers onto MLK Dr for several blocks. Officer Costello radioed for assistance while pursuing the suspect’s vehicle. Officer Costello continued pursuing the vehicle down MLK Dr. onto South Pecan St. Officer Costello attempted to stop the suspect vehicle again by blocking him into a private driveway. The suspect vehicle continued evading the Officer by driving in reverse down South Pecan St., finally stopping near the intersection of Pecan St. and Cardinal Dr. Officer Costello approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and was shot by the suspect. After shooting the Officer, the suspect left the scene in the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was later spotted back near the 200 blk of Shivers Dr. Deputies with Tyler County Sheriff’s Department arrived to assist. Witnesses observed the male suspect flee the scene into a wooded area south of Shivers Dr. Several Deputies along with Woodville PD Officers set up a search perimeter in the area. At approximately 8:24 am, Deputies observed the male suspect exit the wooded area. The suspect was observed with a handgun in his waistband. Deputies gave the suspect numerous commands to stop and laydown with arms extended. Suspect continued to ignore the Deputies repeated commands. The suspect was noncompliant and hostile towards the officers and made an aggressive movement toward the handgun that was in his waistband. The suspect was fired upon by multiple officers. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene and Justice of Peace Precinct 1, Tina Self , ordered an autopsy. The suspect has been identified as Reginal Owens, 41, of Hemphill, TX. The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation of both shootings. Officer Costello was air lifted to a hospital in Houston for treatment and was last reported to be in stable condition undergoing surgery. Officer Costello has been with the Woodville Police Department for almost 5 years and previously worked for the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department. Our Department asks the public to keep Officer Costello and his family in your prayers."

BURN BAN STILL IN EFFECT DESPITE LITTLE BIT OF RAIN

"It will take at least a week of rain to even think about liffting the burn ban" Judge Faulker said and other first responders have been repeating.   That point was brought home this morning when 3 fire trucks go past to the dead end to the same neighbor that was burning last year in high winds and dry conditions.  Thank the Lord for our VFD that day too and a wind changing direction.  

FBI EFFORT FAILS  OR KEN PAXTON TRUMP RUNNING MATE?

Aquitted of all charges, Texas AG Paxton has to be on the short list in my view.  Consider that the same corrupt, look the other way unless charges help your political agenda FBI did Paxton the same as they did Trump and Paxton proved it in ;court,   

COLDSPRING 9/8/2023APPRAISAL DISTRICT RIGHTS WRONG

A long standing injustice to a tax payer was remedied by the new leadership at the SJC CAD recently.  Under Sherri Schell, a common law widow who was recognized as surviving spouse by the fed SSA and state death certificate was being denied her surviving spouse  homestead in a house she built with her husband during their marriage>  She not only  has 22 years posession of the property and has paid the taxes on for 2o plus years, she has receipts from spending her inheritance from her mother's estate to build the house with.  

    Sherri Schells only offer for remedy was for this widow to produce a document that does not exist or get a dead man to sign a new one.

    After considering all of the evidence his staff gathered and presented him, Chief Troy Carlson did make the call that the widow deserved her homestead.  

SHEPHERD 9/10/2023

THREE EJECTED, TWO LIFE FLIGHTED

River Jordan area of Lake Run A Muck was the scene of a tragic event as three children riding a four wheeler illegally on the roads were ejected from a wreck and seriously injured.  According to sources in the area,  a large hispanic family bar b que turned into trajedy as multiple people were ignoring the laws and riding and racing their 4 wheelers on public roadways when the wreck occurred.  The twelve and fourteen year old were lifeflighted.  One with a serious open wound and leg break and the other one left unconscious with serious trauma to the face and head from hitting a tree.  According to sources in the neighborhood, the injured children are  female and there is a growing chorus of calls for criminal charges on the adults who allowed as many as seven four wheelers full of kids to race and run the roads in the neighborhood.   

SJC SHERIFF CAPERS SITS FOR IN DEPTH INTERVIEW

"We have an influence of four cartels in my county"

POINTBLANK 8/24/2023

KEITH BLACK OPENS MOUTH, INSERTS BI FOOT

In a vain attempt to redeem his reputation before elections, Keith Black posted in the comments on The Sentinel.  In that comment, Black blames his injured foot because he took his shoe off and rubbed the foot of a female probationer under his desk as she reported.  Black seems to forget that The Sentinel obtained his ENTIRE personnel file before we wrote the first story.  He wrote, "I was never reprimanded . . . ."  

  That is a lie and you were TERMINATED.  Just give me a day or two and I will go retrieve those documents from my archives and publish them again just for you.

    Just in case you don't remember, let me remind you.  I had won your file in a 6 mos battle with the  law firm in Austin that represents the probation department and others across the state.  Why do you think I started that effort?  Let me explain.  I had the father of one 17 year old male probationer complain to me that you were taking your shoe off, rubbing his son's foot under the desk telling him he better do what you say or he will go to prison.  Did I mention that he isn't queer and is in prison now?  

    That was bad but when I had a woman I have known nearly all of her life write me complaining about you perving on her constantly, I fired off that open records request for your file.  

POINTBLANK 8/22/2023

PB&SC WATER SUPPLY SUFFERS DAMAGE

Two seperate contractors, one for S.H.E.C.O. inadvertantly damaged water main lines day before yesterday while installing utilities.  One line was a six inch main line that required the well to be shut off to staunch the flow of water.  Two of the Water Supply storage tanks were completely emptied by the utilility contractor errors.  "It almost burned up the well pumps" a PB&SC spokesperson shared. 

   The initial damge presented itself as a loss of pressure for most of the customers and the second break finished off what little pressure was left. 

    The PB&SC crew was on the job immediatly and despite the magnitude of the break and size of the main line and water loss, were  able to restore limited service to the system.

   All of the effected customers were sent a notice via text message if you are signed up for that service.  "The water is as dirty as I've ever seen it" one board member commented understanding that when a six inch main gets broken, a lot of dirt can get into the lines.

    After waiting for the tanks to at least partially refill, some of the flush lines were opened a few at a time to begin the process of flushing all the lines in the system.

     Several customers, even after being told what was going on and why, thought it was necessary to call TCEQ and file complaints about the brown water.  TCEQ did respond and even sent a representative out who discovered the immediate choices were between no water and temporairy brown water.  With two storage tanks completely emptied, it takes a bit to refill them and be able to flush lines.  If more than a few lines are flushed at a time, there would be no pressure.

    The board is having an emergency meeting today to consider an emergency declaration due to drought conditions that were only worsened by the breaks in the lines and loss of two storage tanks full of water.  

    The PB&SC Water supply was already requesting folks voluntarily limit water usage by refraining from watering lawns too much or filling pools so we can get through this crisis together.  The board may declare an emergency andlimit those actions but are hopeful that the customers will help as much as possible.  

NOT GUILTY was the verdict handed to The Honorable Tom Brown, Polk County Court At Law Judge by the jury  in the case of State Vs Amberly Lambert.   The first day saw the completion of the voir dire process and a few of the witnesses testifying.    The second day saw completion of the trial, jury charged and sent out to deliberate.  That process took about 4 hours before the jury returned the 'Not Guilty' verdict based on the evidence presented.  

    The State did use the junior ADA, Jim Spencer on these misdemeanor charges but the most experienced ADA Ferguson was there giving advice and counsel to ADA Spencer as the trial progressed.  Both of the prosecutors demonstrated a good knowledge of the law and Ferguson was seen to prompt the younger ADA to "object"  a few times and lean over and give him counsel.  Still, ADA Spencer handled the trial from beginning to end including his closing statement.  ADA Spencer's experience has been mostly as a defense attorney but you could see he had worked on the case and was well prepared for the most part. What he wasn't prepared for was the lack of integrity of his star witness, OPD officer, Tammy Heeth.  

    Defense Attorney, Seth Evans of the father / son 'Evans Law Firm' was not only prepared for Tammy Heeth, his line of questioning forced her to expose that lack of integrity right in front of the Jury.  

    When The Sentinel was first made aware of this case, we wondered how a mother sitting in the car rider line at an elementary school to drop off her kids could end up facing first degree felony charges and twenty plus years in prison.

   Tammy Heeth answered that question under oath when asked why she went for such an extreme charge when so many lesser ticketable offenses might have been persued instead.  

    "It was the policy of the former DA (ie: Lee Hon) that we pass on the lower charges and only go for the most serious charges we possibly can." Heeth testified throwing Hon under the bus.  What The Sentinel investigation revealed but was not allowed to be fully disclosed in court was that Tammy Heeth had it in for Ms. Lambert.  Her verbal complaint against Heeth was testified to by the Assistant Principal, Larissa Grubbs but the confrontation in Brookshire Bros was off limits per Judge Brown's instructions.  The Jury did not hear the story of how Heeth had run her buggy into Ms. Lambert's buggy in the store days after Ms. Lambert made her complaint to the school administrator.  

   The day Heeth chose to escalate the situation was April Fools day.  According to Lambert, days prior, Heeth, as traffic control let the car infront of Lambert take the short route, forced Lambert to turn and take the long route that caused her kids to be tardy, then let the car behind Lambert take the short route also.  

   On April 1st, Lambert came in on 356 and Heeth got in the middle of her lane and stopped her with palm raised but then made a circling motion intended to convey, "turn around" but Lambert took as come on through.  There is no statute, ordinance or even an official ruling about coming in on 356 but only a school preference.  

   Both Heeth and Lambert testified that she was only moving 3 mph having taken her foot off the brake but not accelerated or swerved at all.  Both testified that Heeth got infront of her car and struck the front quarter panel.  Lambert saw it as an expression of anger and Heeth testified she struck the fender to "get leverage" enabling her to "roll step".  Both testified that Heeth jumped up on the running board and was reaching into the vehicle ordering and then trying to force Lambert out of the truck.  Heeth denies pulling Lambert's hair.  Lambert was adamant that Heeth did pull her hair.  Lambert was belted in according to both of the women.  

   It was at about this time that Onalaska JP, Honorable Sarah Rasberry arrived on the scene dropping off a friend's child.    She called 911 but it was testified to that Ms. Lambert had also just called 911 requesting another officer on the scene.  

     Judge Rasberry testified that she did see Heeth on the running board but did not see Lambert's vehicle strike Heeth.  

   One thing that had to have influenced the jury's decision was that despite several officers on the scene, no exculpatory video evidence was available despite Lambert demanding all of the video on the scene, later and then through her attorney.  The only video that made it into state's evidence was video showing Heeth wearing a high visibility vest with 'police' written on it, Lambert walking to the transport cruiser in cuffs and video in the police station of Lambert being processed.  Ms. Lambert's 911 call made it to states evidence but despite the fact the two calls were within a minute of  each other, Judge Rasberry's 911 call recording failed  to be available.   

    The most damning evidence presented was when Seth Evans elicited testimony from Heeth that she had no serious bodily injury resulting from the incident.  Her only concern was to make sure that her breast implant, "wasn't leaking".  Then Attorney Evans submitted Heeth's sworn statement from nearly a month after the incident charging Lambert with the felony and swearing that she suffered, "serious bodily injury" in order to justify the Hon preferred felony charges.  Not only did that prove Heeth willing to lie on a sworn statement, it has the effect of clouding any sworn statement or even arrest report Heeth has ever made or ever will make.  She has lost all credibility as a proven liar.

    The great thing for the community of Onalaska is that their elected JP Rasberry, despite being raised with Heeth's children and knowing Heeth most of her life, JP Rasberry did not falsify her testimony to benefit Heeth.  She was matter of fact with no hesitation in her answers.  JP Rasberry openly stated that she had used some 'colorful' language toward Ms. Lambert when she intially arrived on the scene but all that did was bolster her credibility.   By aknowledging and admitting that her language was an error in judgement along with the transparency her office has always demonstrated goes a long way with this reporter.  

    I can't say enough about the quality of representation Seth Evans gave his client even as a court appointed attorney.  He was very well prepared and had evidence he didn't even use.  What I appreciate about Mr. Evans effort was that he used what he needed to destroy Heeth's credibility in this matter but did not over do it to the point that her stink would have smeared onto the rest of our law enforcement in Polk County.  

    This trial was my first opportunity to watch The Honorable Judge Tom Brown in action.  I understand now why people speak so highly of him and his ability and why The Sentinel has never gotten the first complaint on him.  His clerk has always been transparent and helpful when we had a question.

   Judge Brown proved to be quite appreciative of and protective over the jury panel.  They were shown every respect and courtesy and every effort made to not waste their time.   Judge Brown would not allow any nefariousness of either counsel negate their time with errors that would trip up this trial.  

   Judge Brown was fair and even handed to both sides in his rulings and held both attorneys to the highest standard.  Some of the most interesting parts were when Judge Brown would remove the jury from the courtroom and let the two attorneys hash out their differences of opinion.  Both attorneys were knowledgeable, respectful to each other and did make their best arguments.  

    ADA Spencer made a good closing arguement because The jury asked for all the evidence shortly after entering deliberations.  Some comments waiting in the break room  were, "I know she is innocent but Polk County does back their law enforcement"   Even with Tammy Heeth being dismantled on the stand, the jury still took 4 hours to reach a verdict.  Usually a relatively quick decision does not go in favor of the accused but this one did.  Seth Evans did one thing that defense attorneys are often reluctant to do and that is he put his client on the stand.   That leaves her subject to an often brutal cross examination by the prosecutor.  Spencer was aggressive in his questioning and garnered several objections by Evans.  Ms. Lambert came across as what she is.  A responsible parent, business owner and honest.  She was offered several plea deals all the way down to a ticket for disorderly conduct but stedfastly refused, determined to prove her innocence.   Her and her attorney did just that.  With all that 'burden of proof thingy on the State, Poor ADA had to show up with a big bunch of nothing.  

Justice was served all the way around in Polk County today.

LIVINGSTON 8/21/2023

'RESISTING ARREST' CHARGES MOVE FORWARD

What started as a mother filing a verbal complaint with the school against the Onalaska ISD resource officer for her conduct in the car rider line was greatly escalated by OPD officer, Tammy Heeth.  She got the corrupt Hon to file, "Assault with a Deadly Weapon" charges on Heeth's claim the mother used her car as a deadly weapon.  All of that felony BS was dropped when Hon was ousted and offers to drop it all for a guilty plea to disorderly conduct were made.  The mother stedfastly refused the offer and has a jury of her peers today.  

   It is the defendants position that she was strapped in by seatbelt, and had steel plates andbolts in her ankle and leg from a recent surgery.   She testified her two elementary age children were in the back seat and Heeth tried to drag her though her car window by the hair of the head.

 Heeth has a list of complaints and even one written warning from the child advocate, rosemary Covalt that Heeth, "is a liability because of her anger issues" based on prior incidents Ms. Covalt witnessed.  Funny how none of those complaints were in Heeth's file when we requested it even though we have copies of the originals from Ms. Covalt.

    We will follow up on this story when the trial is over.

VIDEO HERE

Now more than ever, independent journalism is under attack.  The Sentinel publication has stayed on the front line fighting censorship and corruption in local government for ten years now.  When Hon had my office raided and all my computer equip confiscated, he even had them take my modem which stores absolutely no data or information and had no evidence value.  That move was strictly designed to shut my publication down.  Thankfully, some honest criminal justice workers made sure I had a modem immediatly after the raid and a loyal supporter brought me a lap top.  I retrieved one of my back up external modems from an honest elected official's safe  and was back up and running that quick.  

The Sentinel needs your support if you want us to stay in the fray.  Health problems of a long time supporter who gave me internet access has ended that.  My computer is over 15 years old and moaning and groaning when I wake it up.  We wont even talk about gas and tires to cover the different hearings and stories.  If you appreciate someone willing to confront the nefarious among us, please take time to show your support with the donation button above.  We want to remain ad free  and subscription free.  Our long time effort has been to get the information out there and make it available to everyone with no cost.  The fact is that it takes money to operate.  It is that simple.

Steve Watson - publisher 

KANSAS PAPER CRIME "Being a reporter"

So many tactics are the same as the corrupt former Polk Co DA Hon used against The Sentinel.  Laws written to protect people from identity theft are being abused by corrupt law enforcement.  If you have someone's DL number and birthday, you are subject to arrest for trying to verify information from sources before you publish.  Just as I pulled a public record document, a certificate of marriage that had Lee Hon's momma's name, birthdate and DL number on it that the county clerk did not redact, Hon used that to file felony counts on me.  All I was doing was trying to confirm that her husband, Bartunek and Rita Hon had the same living address.  They did.  Hon pressed charges under a law that was written to stop financial fraud, not stifle journalism.  Hon charged me with, "conspiracy to posess and distribute identifying information".  Just as the Kansas paper case, the warrant even included my modem.  Modems do not store data.  

    Journalists like me only scare the corrupt public servants.  FBI is so far removed from reality, they blame the reporter who finds and reports corruption for the disconnect, not the corrupt politician or public servant.  Corruption has a side piece.  Main Stream Media.

KANSAS PAPER SEIZED BUT NOT SILENCED.

This story is a trip down memory lane except they didn't shut me down three days.  When this corrupt cancer of filing criminal charges for political purpose hit the swamp, it lit like wild fire.  Hon had them take all my computers, etc but I not only got a stored hard drive and a lap top from a friend and was publishing the next day.  Even better was that knowing I was going to jail, I had a trusted freind publish stuff to my web site while I was at the booking desk. The Sentinel has never been just me.  It is a community effort.

8/16/2023 SOUTHWEST SILENT - HOBBY NOT SO MUCH

A spokes person for Hobby Airport operations did confirm that there was an ememrgency event yesterday, the jetliner landed safely and no injuries.  Southwest corporate pretended like they didn't even know about the event.  Houston Fire Dept did respond to the fire.  

Considering that the big wigs with southwest were probably hung over from the big bash in Chicago, the girls at corporate may not have known.  

SOUTHWEST BOSSES PARTY, PILOTS SAVE LIVES

Southwest Airlines big wigs partied near Wrigley Field in Chicago today while pilots waiting for over three years for a contract picketed outside the venue.    MEANWHILE. back at Hobby Airport in Houston, a Southwest airliner takes off and has an engine fire..  The experienced Southwest Pilots were able to get the aircraft back on the ground safely with no injuries.  Full extent of the damage to the aircraft is not known.    This in the wake of Southwest promoting the woke hiring practices that they intend  to be sure the new hire pilots are queer, trans a woman or ethnic minority before they hire them.  What is the matter with older ex military pilots with loads of experience and mentally stable?

WARNING SOUTHWEST - GO WOKE, GO BROKE  JUST ASK BUDWEISER

KLASSIC KENNEDY 

8/10/2023 SJC 411TH DISTRICT COURT

OFFICIAL SPELLING, NO DELAY

411th District CourtHon. Judge, John Wells made short work of correcting the spelling of accused mass murderer, Oropeza's attorney's complaint that the accused killer's name was mis spelled on the indictment.  "Is it Oropesa or Oropeza?" Judge Wells asked matter of factly.  The accused testified through an interpreter and requested his name be spelled, 'Fransciso Torres Oropeza'. Judge Wells heard  a motion for the change and then granted it.  As a matter of record, the correct spelling is Oropeza.   After the defendant's attorney waived the reading of the indictment, he entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Oropeza.  

   Judge Wells set a court date of December 7th and the attorney objected to the date as 'too soon'.  He cited someone on pregnancy leave as the reason he could not complete a letter the Judge was wanting done in 90 days.   The defense even grabbed the straw that maybe the dispatcher lacked proper training.  The Judge stood his ground and refused to offsett the date past December 7th.  DA Todd Dillon and ADA Freyer seemed to be pleased with the decision of The Court.  Both sides agreed that they would work toward a resolution to save the expense of a costly trial. 

Moving Oropezo is a logistical issue.  As a journalist who tried to get a picture of him coming in the courthouse, they slicked me good.   I Can't take a picture in the courtroom so I wanted something I can publish. 

    We confirmed that radio traffic was up and the presence was on all four corners  but for the most part, it was just a natural flow around the courthouse.   My midnight rider dropped me early and I did the stakeout.  Two cups of coffee and a half bottle of water made me leave my post long enought to have to walk to the front door but I don't know if they were waiting on me to leave.  One radio call made note of a woman driving around the square with a camera.  I was sitting on the bench under the shade tree.

        When it came time for the docket call, there was a crowd in the upstairs rotunda.  

    Security at the door of the courtroom was tight but several reporters were taking up positions in the courtroom.  B0b Price, Breitbart was already at the barrister interviewing Sheriff Capers when I gave up on the picture of Oropeza and went on in.  All the other news outlets got a picture given to them it appears.  

POLK CO 8/14/2023

TACTICAL MOVES INDICATE INTENT?

Two days ago, a retired federal agent stated he went to the Polk Co S.O. to file a complaint  against a service providor and was immediatly 'tactically' surrounded by several officers and threatened by one officer with arrest for driving dangerously in the parking lot.  "I was afraid for my life because it appeared that they were going to put their knees on my neck." this black officer stated.    

   Since in Polk Couty now, it is enough to indict someone, according to the grand jury and ADA Ferguson for appearing as if you might commt an assault crime, we thought it pertinent to bring this damning evidence to the attention of officials.  There is video proving no wreckless driving.  There should be video showing the 'tactical' surrounding on one of the officers body cams.  If you can obtain video proving the threat to arrest on false charges, there are all the elements you need.  Threatening officer was tall and bald headed per victim statment.

So let us examine this slippery slope the Polk Co Grand jury has us going down.  Since there were several officers and all appeared to be tactically involved and appeared as if they were going to commit an assault on this retired federal officer  who stated he was afraid for his life, can we throw an 'Organized Crime' element into the mix for good measure?  

    If I were a black man and a half dozen white offiers surrounded me and one tall 'skin head lookin' one started threatening to arrest me and lock me up for parking in the parking lot in a way he didn't like, would I be scared for my life?  If I were black,born and raised in Polk Co and knew all about 'Hawg Law', would I be afraid then?  you tell me.

COLDSPRING 8/12/2023

T.E.A. MAKES UNDERHANDED SERVE

Our own Texas Education Agency has made themselves the enemy of public education even if they have to move all the goal posts to do it.  A recent article in the News Times titled "What If" pretty much spelled out the plot of changing the formula for grading ISD's.   Now, last years passing grade plugged into the new formula generates a failing grade.  How handy is that if your whole purpose seems to be taking over school districts in the state?   Is it really all about 'CONTROL' now and not education?  "Just let us go back to teaching reading, writing and arithmatic. " one veteran educator said.  " 

    Coldspring ISD is square in the sights of T.E.A. according to sources.  This years scores are not published yet but involved people claim we 'failed' using the new formula.

    WE have begun to examine the legislation that facilitated this madness of taking away local control with Houston ISD being the first target.  According to educators, "They have to change stuff every year just to make sure they have a job!"  

    The woke idealogy the T.E.A. curriculum brings in is a bad idea.  

   Facing repeated deficit budjets since Jenke's tenure as C.F.O. isn't helping either.  That brings up the top heavy ISD police department.  Chief Dean, according to his own nefarious actions has proven he has too much time on his hands.  Last check, there were 8 ISD police officers on staff.  The failure of the Board to fire Chief Dean after the antics he pulled proved the majority of the board are just ok with it.  What a sad thing for COCISD.

It was kind of like Gov Abbott not firing 'No Draw'  McCraw after Uvalde.  Sets a precedent we don't need.  

One thing the board did right was their search for a superintendent.  Dr. Talton is not only credentialed  academically, he is not affraid to walk in his faith openly.  That gives students courage to walk in theirs.  

    What we at The Sentinel appreciate about Dr. Talton is the transparency.  Ease of access to  him in that he answers often and will return your phone call if he is out.  He has sought legal opinion and that is a good thing.  

LIVINGSTON 7/28/2023

LIMA PLEADS INDIGENT, THEFT CASE RESET

Former Lee Hon investigator and Trinity County Sheriff Deputy, Christopher Lima appeared before Judge Stephen Phillips in the Polk County Court At Law today on the theft charges out of Onalaska.   As usual, he had no attorney and no way to pay for one he testified.  Judge Phillips appointed a new attorney practicing in Polk County named Brevin Jackson to represent Lima.  Even considering Jackson's short time practicing here in Polk County, he has made a very positive impression on a full range of workers in our criminal Justice center.  Bright, witty, polite and "just a nice guy" were several of the comments heard today.  It is rumored that on Jackson's recent first day to practice in the Polk Co court system, he came bearing a tray full of muffins to share with the staff.  

    After a short time to confer with his newly appointed lawyer, Mr. Jackson asked the court for a reset to give him time to study the case.  Judge Phillips granted the reset for September 8th.  Video HERE of Lima duckin and truckin after hearing.

   Judge Phillips was sitting in for Judge Brown and County Clerk, Schelena Hock was the clerk for today's hearings.  

7/25/2023 COLDSPRING

SJC CHIEF DEPUTY SMACKS DOWN LYING REPORTER

To: Jake Bleiberg                                                                                                                                                         1

From: Tim Kean

Subject: Associated Press Article, Filed 7/8/2023, Sheriff Greg Capers

Mr. Bleiberg:

My name is Tim Kean, Chief Deputy, San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office. I am named in several articles you have written about the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Greg Capers. I want to make this very clear from the beginning, what I express here is my own opinion. We have the Constitutional right in this nation to express our opinions. I speak only for myself in this matter. Even you should be able to comprehend that statement.

I would like to start by paying you a complement, sir. I appreciate greatly, the fact, you did not choose the profession of law enforcement. The investigative abilities that have been displayed by the article you have written would never get inside a courtroom in this nation. What saddens me is you purport to be a journalist. Even that profession has standards, however, they apparently are ignored and have fallen into disuse.

 Below I quote the beginning of your narrative:

“COLDSPRING, Texas — Sheriff Greg Capers was the classic picture of a Texas lawman as he announced the capture of a suspected mass killer: white cowboy hat on his head, gold star pinned to his chest, white cross on his belt and a large pistol emblazoned with his name on his hip.”

Even I know, and I’m not the “professional journalist” you are, that what you have done in paragraph one is define your enemy. In my opinion, you not only are going to take down a Texas Sheriff, but maybe even Texas itself. The target is to ruin the image of all Texas Lawmen, the image of the State of Texas, maybe even the Governor while you are at it. Absolutely despicable.

The interaction I had with you concerned a phone interview conducted on 6/27/2023 at 11:10hrs which lasted 1-hour 52minutes and 8 seconds. Do you recall that interview, sir? Myself and our Dispatch Supervisor spent 35 minutes explaining to you the timeline concerning response time for the Oropeza case. I recall being very patient and open with you sir, and you responded as if you understood the entire sequence. We covered every single line of the CAD (Computer Aid Dispatch) printout and all of the radio transcripts. Every detail. I will address your fraudulent response here.

Your contention is the time to respond to an active shooting was 46 minutes. You sir, are a liar. The response was explained to you in detail. The initial call is a noise disturbance at 11:34:50. The call must be routed through a translator service. The dispatcher does not understand what is happening until the translator tells her at 11:43:00. The translator informs the dispatcher it is a noise disturbance with someone shooting a gun in their yard. This is a rural area and it is legal to shoot guns. The call is about the noise disturbing the neighbors. I TOLD YOU THAT, SIR. At 11:45:00 the units are enroute to the noise disturbance. No lights or siren low priority call at this time. At 12:08:32 the complainant calls back, call routes through translator, and states the neighbor is back out in his yard shooting again. This is still a noise issue, however, there was more urgency to the tone of the complainant. Deputies start to increase their speed because this call is escalating. At 12:11:44 the call states the shooter is crossing onto                complainants property.  At 12:11:56, 12 seconds later, the shift sergeant confirms with dispatch the shooter is on the complainants property. At 12:12:08 the call is Priority One, lights and siren response. At 12:15:49, 3 MINUTES AND 41 SECONDS LATER UNITS ARE IN THE AREA. The entire time on the road for the first two arriving units is 30 minutes and 49 seconds. As I told you, sir, it takes that long to drive there from the Sheriff’s Office in Coldspring. The call initiated as loud noise, when it became urgent the deputies were justified in responding emergency conditions. The call could not have been answered any faster with the information had at the time, the road conditions and the distances involved.

However, Mr. Bleiberg, none of this mattered to you, did it? Your blind drive to destroy the reputation of this Agency, Sheriff and myself resulted in your falsehoods and accusations without any proof whatsoever. In fact, you disregarded the proof I provided and inserted your own narrative instead. That’s the kind of reporting Americans are growing absolutely SICK of, sir.

The next trick you had up your sleeve was the referencing of accusations against the integrity of this Agency, Sheriff and myself. I find it extremely difficult to accept, the slightest inkling, you understand the definition of integrity, sir.

 Sir, you asked questions concerning the Lion Institute and a report they presented to Commissioner’s Court. This was a company hired by Commissioner’s Court to research the working conditions at the Sheriff’s Office. I told you Sheriff Capers and myself welcomed that research as we felt a third-party analysis of our needs and environment would create more pressure to foster changes in pay and equipment the Sheriff’s Office so desperately needs. Such was not the case, sir. I told you that very fact. There was NO survey of employees, no examination of the workspace in the office, no review of training records and school availability for our Deputies, no interest in working conditions or pay for personnel. NO VISIT whatsoever from Mr. Alexander (Lion Institute CEO) or any member of the Lion Institute. The entire report was a fraud. I expressly told you that, sir. The Commissioner’s Court paid almost $50,000.00 dollars for that report, unknown to the Sheriff’s Office. A waste of $50,000.00 taxpayers money. For what I ask? I consider it your job to “investigate” and find out. What did you find sir?

I quote further form your report, “The group’s report lays out evidence that the sheriff's staff falsified training records and failed to pursue 4,000 reported crimes over the years, including 106 alleged sexual assaults.” 

That quote is another lie, sir. Where is the evidence this Agency falsified training records? Since I am the Training Officer, I take great offense at this accusation. During our phone interview, I also explained, in detail, the actual reality of the open criminal cases. Once again you pretended to understand but then pursued your own agenda. Those cases were listed as pending due to a computer entry error. The cases were actually closed. It was an error repaired by the reporting system. This occurred in 2015 with no issues since that time. That was explained to you, sir.

Michael Flynt is a former employee you reference as an authority on the subject of corruption and dysfunction at the Sheriff’s Office. Perhaps Mr. Flynt is a subject matter expert on corruption, but not for the reasons you think. I can only mention that Mr. Flynt is a former employee. There are legal reasons we cannot discuss that man. As an investigative reporter you would do well to exercise due diligence on your informants to determine their credibility before citing them as “evidence”, sir. That goes with all of your “former employee” informants. There are reasons they are referred to as “former employees”. Again, your extreme lack of due diligence is embarrassing to the world of investigative journalism.     

Sir, you crow mightily about a $240,000.00 lawsuit, you titled ‘whistle blower lawsuit” That again is a lie, sir. It was a wrongful termination suit. You would do well to request depositions in that lawsuit. You would actually learn what happened. But no, your reckless, fraudulent ‘investigative report” has cast doubt on the integrity and honesty of EVERY SINGLE OFFICER in this agency. All without anything but your “quotes” from former employees and a fraudulent report from the Lion Institute which is filled with quotes from the very same former employees.

Your “report” also states deputies were called to the Oropeza home 3 times in the past 2 years. FALSE, another lie. You sir, were informed in our previously mentioned phone interview there was ONE call there and ONE follow up by a detective. The complainant dropped the charges against Oropeza.

I will sum up with what I will say is my personal opinion of you sir. We both live in entirely different worlds. I work in “Criminal Justice”, the world of facts. I am a retired Army Officer, retired police officer, a current Chief Deputy. I started my life working at age 15. I have worked and fought every inch of the way. I spent 8 years in combat. You know NOTHING of me. There was a day, in the past in this country, when a man with a reckless mouth insulted the honor of another he was challenged on the field. President Andrew Jackson defended his honor and his wife’s honor in that manner over 100 times. Sad, we live in times such as these. As for Greg Capers, corruption and Capers are two words that do not go together. Sheriff Capers works cutting hay on the weekends to make enough money to survive here. His pay is that low. So NO, he is not corrupt and I take offense to your insinuation, sir. I will tell you this. I live in a world where integrity and honor are required, not optional. When your life depends on another man’s judgement and honesty, he better be a good man, or people die.

Now for you, you work in “Social Justice”, a fantasy world of getting what you want without the hard work needed to get it.  I see a spoiled “reporter” on a social justice crusade. I read many of your articles. Fairly good work, polished and refined in the Liberal Arts, for sure. But just a word of advice, sir, get your facts in order before you start running your mouth so recklessly. Integrity and Honor are still a concept I will defend, unlike you. By any means necessary.

PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO PUBLISH THIS DOCUMENT ONLY IN IT’S ENTIREITY, UNEDITITED (3 PAGES)

Tim Kean

7/21/2023                                                                                                                                                                        

FORMER COMMISSIONER/DEPUTY EXPOSES FRAUD IN LION REPORT

Ray McCoppin did  a deep dive into the lyin report and exposes the fraud.  Follow link in headline for video.

COLDSPRING 7/20/2023

LION REPORT CALLED "GOBBLEDOGOOP".  VIDEO HERE

Former SJC Commissioner and a former Orange County Deputy Sheriff has studied the so called, "Lion Report" and offers his analysis.  Mr McCoppin's uniqe persepctive seems to be right in line with most who have read the report.  

    The Sentinel did share the Flynt File with Mr. McCoppin and quite a few others since Flynt was quoted so heavily in the report.  Any 'reporter', no matter how far removed from East Texas, who took it on theirself to write a BS hit piece on SJC based on quotes from a dirty cop that has proven himself to be a predator, was contacted and given the Flynt File.  

THE MINISTRY OF IT ALL

COLDSPRING 7/6/2023

FREYER FLIES AWAY

Mostly routine dockett calls were the main business in the 258th District Court presided over by The Honorable Judge Travis Kitchens Jr Thursday morning.  The incarcerated docket was handled before the freeworld docket but both were finished before the lunch recess including the hearing regarding a possible change of venue in the Escobar murder trial.  No decision was rendered yet in that matter.  DA Dillon argued against the change of venue citing his office interviewing 8 members of a jury pool and stating that of the 8, only one had heard or read about the case in the media.

   After the lunch recess, Judge Kitchens was approached by a news reporter from channel 13 seeking a comment on the Escobar case.  According to an eye witness and the 13 news story published, Judge Kitchens declined to comment stating, "I do not comment on cases". 

 the hearing regarding the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct took up right after lunch and lasted till after 5:00 PM.  The Honorable Judge David Moorman of the 12th Judicial District, Walker Co., presided over that hearing appointed by The Administrative Judge, The Honorable Robert Hill Trapp of Coldspring.

    Judge Moorman was quite matter of fact and plain spoken and gave both the state and the defense attorney a great deal of latitude as he listened intently.

    The case revolves around allegations that the ADA Rob Freyer illegally confiscated attorney/client privileged info out of an inmates cell.  In the complaint, it was alleged that ADA Freyer had ordered the confiscation of all correspondence from the inmate by the PCSO jail administration.  Under oath, SJC DA investigator, Tracy Galloway did testify that is was "Rob Freyer" who had ordered the confiscation in hopes of seeing if the inmate was corresponding with several co defendants in the case.

    Gibson, the defendant, testified that he would not have given the jail staff permission to have taken all of his attorney/client papers because they had all of his written statements, witness lists, defense strategy and other information that could be used against him.  "Why would I do that?", Gibson asked.

    Defense attorney, Lana Shadwick had subpoenaed three of the jailers from the Polk County S.O.  to testify.   The jailers were the Captain of the jail, a shift supervisor and a staff jailer.  Under oath, Ms. Shadwick inquired of all three if the "shakedown" was conducted because of security concerns in the jail.  All three testified "No" and that the SJC DA's office had a specific intent to get correspondence only.  They all testifed that they were not addressing any security concerns but following that SJC DA's directives relayed to them by the SJC DA's office or their supervisor.  Ms. Shadwick continued expounding and drove the point home that, according to all three jailers, that there was no security concern motivating the search and seizure of inmate Gibson's property and papers.

     After that line of questioning and being informed that ADA Freyer, who was in court an hour earlier, had to leave and fly home for personal reasons and would not be present to testify, Ms. Shadwick brought out case law showing that aside from security concerns, most of the inmate's civil rights did remain intact.  She expounded on Gibson's 5th amendment rights not to incriminate himself by stating, "Those are his words on those documents" that are now in the hands of the prosecutor.  

   Gibson testified that after obtaining his private papers, the SJC DA's office did contact some of his witnesses and family/friends that were on his contacts list.

    DA Dillon's closing argument focused on what he called errors in the construction of Attorney Shadwicks motion before The Court.  Technical flawhe alleged Ms. Shadwick failed to include.

    Several times during his testimony, Gibson stated that if he had his personal legal files and papers from the Nacogodoches county jail, he could answer the question with certainity but that the jail had refused to allow him to bring anything to court other than, "my body".  

   The Sentinel did put in a call to the sheriff there to ask if it was policy to send inmates to court with none of their papers but we did not get an answer and we are waiting on a call back from the Major.  

COLDSPRING 7/2/2023

ADA FACES HEARING FOR MISCONDUCT

SJC Assistant District Attorney, Rob Freyer is scheduled for a hearing this coming Thursday in the 258th District Court under visiting District Judge, The Honorable Judge Moorman.

   A motion has been entered seeking a change of venue because of alleged prosecutorial misconduct.

    According to court watchers who were present, local attorney Lana Shadwick who was representing the inmate tied into the ADA Freyer for his misconduct with so much fire in her eyes that Judge Kitchens recused himself from the case based on what he saw and heard in the courtroom.

    We have attmepted to get the transcript of that exchange for accuracy but so far have not.  

     According to sources there, Ms. Shadwick was LIVID over the mistreatement of her client and a "cheating prosecutor".  

    According to sources close to the situation, DA Dillon has decided that maybe it would be best for him to keep Freyer out of The Honorable Judge Travis Kitchens' court and limit him to District Judge John Wells 411th court.  

POLK CO 7/1/2023

CRIMINAL AND CIVIL RETALIATION

vMs. Lambert, a mother in Onalaska, Tx, who readers may recognize from previous stories involving the Onalaska school resource officer, /Tammy Heeth is now trying to obtain body worn camera footage from the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO). Almost three months ago she went to PCSO and delivered copies of her deed showing an established private easement to the water from her house on a private road just outside Onalaska city limits. She also delivered copies to OPD and a troublesome neighbor who had already called the law on Ms. Lambert's children a handful of times complaining of trespassing on land that as far as we can find she has no legal rights to, despite having already illegally installing a bulkhead at the water, and the children had every legal right to be on. On 05/21/2023 deputies Bailey and Wood of the PCSO were dispatched to the private road again for children that have every legal right to access it all the way to the water by people who again have no legal right of access as far as we can tell. Deputy Bailey repeatedly, according to Ms. Lambert, threatened arrest of her and her two minor daughters for trespassing on property Ms. Lambert had already notified PCSO she had a legal right to traverse.   By default so do her children. Ms. Lambert had even had it attached to a CFS report so that deputies could access the information from their patrol vehicle. Despite this deputy Bailey repeatedly told Ms. Lambert they would be arrested if they could not produce evidence of their right of access denying them the prepresumption of innocence and accusing them with no evidence other than hear say to the contrary. According to Ms. Lambert deputy Wood even notified Bailey of the available information on their mobile units. The family has tried obtaining the body worn camera footage through the use of the open records act for the event but in direct disregard for the law, PCSO has stalled for over a month in releasing them.   Now PCSO is demanding payment of 4 hours in redactions on an hour and a half of video. We are unsure what exactly they feel needs to be redacted considering the family and property owner is the one requesting the videos. All we can say is it does not bode well for transparency when your deputies are accused of improprieties and you spend almost three times the length of the videos redacting information out of them.  

COLDSPRING 6/22/2023

"wah wah wah", is the latest 'quote' attributed to ADA Freyer by those in earshot today with a few minutes to listen.  

    The epic delivery of the court order recently entered into the record by Judge Kitchens, not only supported and defended our constitution, it definately qualified as an a$$ chewing, . . . legally speaking.   It was plain Freyer was "smarting" from his wounds.

     DA Dillon did stand there and take his chewing like a man and in contrast, reserved his commentary on the topic.  

    We can only hope both men learn something from the event.  

    Freyer, that we the people, the informed electorate will install and remove the Judges and DA's, not you.  

   DA Todd Dillion, to discard the, "what would Lee  Hon do?" from your thought process and concentrate on what The Honorable Judge Robert Hill Trapp would do based on the time you had the privilege of training under his leadership

COLDSPRING 6/21/2023

CHANGE OF VENUE SOUGHT

"I know, I know, believe me, I know" was the seemingly exasperated reply of SJC ADA Rob Freyer to the warning by a local attorney that there was a protest going on in front of the SJC Courthouse this morning.   This happened shortly after the 258th Bailif, J.R. Spillman instructed SJC DA, Todd Dillon to make sure ADA Freyer was in the courtroom, "before we get started this morning".

    It went downhill for Mr. Freyer and DA Dillon from there.  The Honorable Travis Kitchens entered an ORDER REGARDING PULICITY RESTRICTIONS into the cause No. 14020 styled, THE STATE OF TEXAS VS. Joshua Eduardo Escobar.

Before all of that, The Honorable Travis Kitchens noticed ADA Freyer milling about the court room and said, "Mr. Freyer, you can have a seat".  Freyer did not aknowledge the comment but continued to mill about prompting a much sterner, "Mr. Freyer, SIT DOWN".  

   Sentinel readers will remember that in a recent murder case, two young hispanic males were manipulated into a confrontation by the woman they both had relations with and the old boyfriend allegedly killed the new boyfriend.  He (Escobar) turned himself in the next morning at the SJC Sheriff's office.  Someone set an unconstitutional one million dollar bond.  Several weeks in, when Escobar's attorney applied for a bond reduction, Judge Kitchens did lower the bond to keep it inline with the constitutional requirements that unreasonable bond not be used to punish a person by setting the bond amount beyond the means of the defendant.  Using unconstitutional bond amounts has been the corrupt practice of some in order to let the process be the punishment without due process.  Judge Kitchens has had to correct several unconstitutional bond amounts since being on the bench especially in Polk County where the practice was used often by FORMER DA Hon. 

     Only an idiot would lamblast a Judge who follows the constitution but we have idiots who do just that.  Some because they are from a bananna republic and don't know any better.  Others because they are corrupt and/or have their own political or financial agenda. 

     When the Constitution loving judge lowered Escobar's bond, a man that turned himself in, to 75 thousand dollars, the family of the victim protested on the courthouse steps with signs demanding no bond.  Not a problem and their right.  The problem arose when ADA Freyer took it upon himself to go out as a representative of the SJC DA's office as a featured speaker at the protest.  According to the Bloo Bonnet News,Freyer assured the crowd that he would make sure that they would get justice.  As he said those words, Freyer knew the crowds idea of justice was no bond for the accused.   

     Now when Memorial day was celebrated on the courthouse steps recently to honor the men and women who fought and died defending that Constitution, NO ONE from the DA's office bothered to walk downstairs and attend the somber event much less speak to the crowd.  When SJC recently celebrated Juneteenth for the 25th year in a row, also organized by our Veteran's Service Officer, no one from the DA's office bothered to walk downstairs for that constitutional honoring event either.  

    But let a crowd gather demanding unconstitutional actions from the court and Freyer fell all over himself to attend and even be the main event speaker at the protest.  Todd Dillon didn't stop him so as the elected DA, that buck stops with him.  I did warn DA Dillon that Freyer was a liability to him based on open records obtained and interviews with former co workers of Freyer's.  Excellent sources in Montgomery Co state Freyer was terminated for showing up drunk on a crime scene.  Freyer denies it when questioned but when I got his file from Harris Co., it turns out he did have a DWI as a young man.  Freyer failed to disclose that on any paperwork submitted to Montgomery Co or San Jacinto Co.  Nor did any background check take place according to those two files.

    I do have emails from the DA assuring The Sentinel that the bloo bonnet news did not get any inside information on the case from his office but it appears fairly obvious from her articles attempting to smear Judge Kitchens that she did.  In any event, regardless of the editor and lawman  joining up to lamblast Judge Kitchens for protectiong the constitutional rights of the accused  before, Judge Kitchens did it one more time by seeking a change of venue to protect the accused's constitutional rights to a fair trial.  In that decision, Judge Kitchen's cited Oliver Wendell Holmes' assurance that our 6th ammendment rights to a fair trial outweigh the 1st amendment rights of a free press because without a fair trial, our justice system has no foundation to stand on.   In that line of reasoning, The Honorable Judge Kitchens did seek a change of venue for the accused and entered this order against publicity to protect Escobar's constitutional rights to a fair trial.  He did indicate that Angelina County had agreed that they would be willing to take on the case.  According to the order against publicity restraining all the attorneys and court personnel from speaking to the press, it will follow the case wherever it ends up being transferred to.  

    In his closing remarks, Judge Kitchens commented that in his 50 years practicing law in many capacities including as a prosecutor, he had NEVER seen anything like this and never has seen the need for an order of this nature.  Judge Kitchens further assured the Prosecutors that he has submitted an ethics complaint to the State Bar of Texas.  

   During the Judge reading of the order, DA Dillon did get up and head to the side door of the courtroom.  When challenged by Judge Kitchens as to where he was going, Dillon replied, "I am removing myself".  "I have not dismissed you", Judge Kitchens stated firmly and instructed him to remain in the courtroom.  Dillon did comply and stood facing the judge for the duration.  His stoic composure respected the dignity and decorum of the court.  

Auditors Jack Miller and James Freeman owe Polk Co personell a BIG APOLOGY!!!!

Rincon chose Comal County to surrender in for a reason.  Show me the contact info Ishmael, Freeman, Miller?????    Either make a public correction the same way you spread the lies or you sacrifice your credibility AND the high ground in the battle to defend our rights.

WEBB COUNTY, LAREDO 6/9/2023

RINCON RELEASED 10 AM . . .ish

Webb County Jail booking staff confirmed that Ishmael Rincon's release by Order of The Honorable 258th District Judge,  Travis Kitchens Jr. has been effected.  

USA TODAY 6/1/2023

UNCONSTITUTIONAL ATF RULE IGNORED

Massive non compliance to an unconstitutional ATF rule regarding pistol braces being registered sent a clear message to the federalcriminals who attempted to undermine our freedoms and violate their oath to the Constitution..  A video HERE will give the actual numbers.  Oh when will the damn communists ever learn?   The ATF does not have the power to do what they tried to do.  I will not register a single pistol braceunless it becomes law the real way.  It is that simple.  

RAND PAUL 

UFO OR NO?

COLDSPRING 6/1/2023

SHERIFF'S TOWN HALL PACKED THE HOUSE

Estimates of at least 1000 people attended the 'Town Hall' meeting SJC Sheriff Capers called for yesterday to deal with the subject of illegal immigration, The border crisis and facing the danger to SJC Citizens that those problems pose.   

    Sheriff Capers brought in several speakers from the border area to share their experiences and solutions.  

     The process for gaining funding from the state and fed to support Sheriff Caper's efforts were brought out and the citizens were admonished to pressure Commissioner's Court to persue the grant money.  

    As one of the poorest counties in Texas, funding for the Sheriff's Dept has always been an area of robust discussion.  

        Several voters from SJC expressed disappointment that there was a glaring lack of county elected officials attending.

    State Representative, Ernest Bailes spoke on issues in Austin and US Rep Morgan Luttrell had representatives from his office attend in his stead because he was in Washington.

COLDSPRING  5/29/2023

MEMORIAL DAY MEANT TO REMEMBER SACRIFICES

As always, the San Jacinto County Veterans Service Officer, Dale Everitt, planted flags, put up posters and notified local media that there would be a gathering at the SJC Courthouse to honor the memory of those locals who made the ultimate sacrifice for aour nation.  This year, he focused on the last female soldier MIA from the Vietnam war as the MIA flag took the seat of Honor during the memorial service.  Those public officials pictured here are L-R, Dwayne Wright, Republican Chair, Guylene Robertson, Polk Co Commissioner from Goodrich, 258th District Judge, The Honorable Travis Kitchens, San Jacinto County Judge (back row) The Honrable Fritz Faulkner, SJC County Clerk, Dawn Wright, SJC JP1, Honorable Christina McGee and SJC JP4, Honorable Kim Webb.

SHERIFF CAPERS CALLS TOWN HALL MEETING

BORDER CRISIS

COLDSPRING  5/23/2023

Allegations of illegal search and seizure of legal mail and attorney/client privilege information have been leveled  against ADA Rob Freyer.  Where could he, in all his training, have learned it was ok to violate civil rights for a victory in court?

5/22/2023POLK COUNTY JAIL 

Sheriff Lyons issues statement on his Polk Co facebook page.

   LYONS FAILS TO NOTIFY SJC OF INMATE INJURY

The major witness and complainant on a Prosecutorial Misconduct' case being investigated in SJC centered on the actions of SJC ADA Rob Freyer has been injured.  The victim of the assault was set upon  by an inmate brought in from TDCJ to Polk Co Jail. 

The SJC inmate was being housed in Polk Co.  

Still no public comment by Sheriff Lyons but some questions arise.  

How did the assailant get a shive so quick or did he bring it with him?  

Why did jail staff ignore warnings from inmates of impending situation?

Why are the guys who warned staff and actually got cut also trying to protect the target being prosecuted?  No phone, no visit, no commisary?  

According to sources at approximately 22:30 on Friday the 19th inmates in Polk County Jail cell #244 through Mark Jacobs informed Cpl. Freeman that a new inmate, just transferred from TDCJ, named Eduin Vences was acting erratic and making threats to other inmates. Cpl. Freeman informed him that there was not room to move the inmate. At approximately 01:00 inmate Vences attacked another inmate, Kenneth Gibson, with a "shank" he brought with him from TDCJ cutting him from the top of his skull down to between his eyes.. Three other inmates, Chase Allen, John Arredondo, and Mark Jacobs, attempted to save Mr. Gibson from his attacker. Two received lacerations to their arms and Case Allen was stabbed in the back and under the arm. At approximately 04:30 two PCSO deputies conducted interviews of the inmates and placed the victims in segregation. They are now facing charges for saving another inmate. As of the time of this writing none have been to the hospital. We are told they were seen by a nurse and a military vet and given clean bills of health but we are told Mr. Gibson has spent the last two days exhausted, with a headache, and vomiting. We reached out to PCSO immediately for comment but have yet to receive a statement. We also put in a request for all video but the sheriff's office is seeking a OAG's opinion on withholding them. Sources have said that the Sheriff said this narrative is incorrect but we have to ask if that is so why fight the release of the video? The inmates are scheduled for a hearing on Thursday in regards to this event. 

CUT N SHOOT, TX  5/2/2023

KILLER CAPTURED   Hiding under a pile of clothes

CLEVELAND 5/1/2023

A GOTAWAY GOTAWAY . . .so far.

This tragic story is not about the kind of gun the maniac used, it is about him even being here.  Who bought his bus ticket?  Biden or Abbott?  

   Two days after I published the story below, "TIME FOR MILITARY BOOT IN CARTEL A$$",  A Mexican man in a white chevy truck pulled past my house slow.  It is a dead end road so he turned around and stopped at my drive.  I went out to talk to him and he let me know quick that he was 'Cartel" and he had money to buy some property in this area,.  

    Do not expect the illegal immigrant community to give the killer up either.  They may administer their own justice and toss him in a ditch but they will never give him up. hope I am wrong.

SENTINEL WRONG AGAIN   Thank You Lord   

CLEVELAND I.S.D. 5/1/2023 

The school district had counselors on hand today and a prayer  with near 300 praying.  According to sources, they were careful to lift up not only the slain child, but the child of the suspected killer who is also a young student in the district.  What a tragedy for our community and the families.   

WASH D.C. 4/23/2023 NATIONAL "C.O.V.I.D. LIST ENACTED"

Operatives who all seem to have a foreign accent and work in a noisy call center continue to call long beyond stated purpose.  Yes I ordered some of the home text kits 'for free' and since fielded many calls.  

    Originally it was, "have you received the test kits your ordered?" Naturally, I confirmed that I did receive the test kits but now the singular question is, "Have you been vacinated?" 

   After several calls made in the last few weeks that got the same response, "That is none of your business but is between my doctor and myself only", the caller stated, "But sir, we just want to remove you from our C.O.V.I.D. List.

Brief submitted To Sentinel is on THIS PAGE  

POLK CO 4/20/2023

Two responses to the SAME VIDEO.  One saying the guy is an idiot and the other a prepared  brief arguing the points of law with language that appears to support that notion that traveling is different than driving.  

    As an interesting follow up, I shared the two responses with each other.  The one who submitted the brief chuckled at the notion the arrested man is an idiot for standing on his rights and the law as he sees them.  The one who decried the mans actions as idiotic also dismissed the brief as being based on, "100 year old law".  

     The Consititution is 200 year old law.  Where do we go from here?

     Several law enforcement agencies within Polk Co have found themselves front and center in a myriad of cases that seem poised to define some of the most pressing questions spanning the divide between the system 'and We the people".  

   Questions like, "Is photography a crime?" and can you trespass the public from the public w/o a crime?  Can we carry a gun on our hip from the car to the house?  Can we be criminally charged for 911 abuse  because someone else called 911?  And most importantly f all, Can a corrupt DA continually file retaliatory criminal charges on people who oppose him politically and just keep on doing it? 

    We do know that the ballat box can do the heavy lifiting here locally to oust corruption.  Now lets see if the jury box can at least sweep up some.  

TEXAS BORDER 4/17/023

BILL TO FORM POSSE SUBMITTED

Consideration of deputizing citizens as an extension of law enforcement is pending.  Bull 20 as outlined in THIS ARTICLE wil explain more.

Larry Hopkins, AKA Johnny Horton Jr., did a few years in federal prison behind trying to help patrol the southern border with his Militia group.  The group was apprehending 'gotaways' to turn over to Border Patrol,   

    The same militia group camped in centenial park in Shepherd to protest and push to block the proposed I.C.E. facility being proposed for SJC.  The facility was not built but the feds closed in on Hopkins for a gun charge.

POLK CO 4/12/2023

NEW DA MAKES GREAT PROGRESS

As seemingly the only news outlet in East Texas that is willing to tackle the topic of prosecutorial misconduct, The Sentinel received two seperate emails pertaining to two seperate Polk Co. cases within 30 days of The Honorable Shelly Bush Sitton taking over the tarnished office that Lee Hon once held.  Both emails decried her efforts making comments to the effect of "nothing new" or "same ole same ole" regarding Ms. Sitton's efforts.  We responded to both writers that they should give DA Sitton a little time because she inherited a mess with THOUSANDS of back logged cases.

     A recent interview with a criminal justice worker in this district did confirm that it took 60 days for DA Sitton and her staff to find everything and organize the backlog so it could be handled in a professional mannter.  "I know from watching her during her private practice that Ms. Sitton is a great organizer" my source stated.  This source shared that DA Sitton and her staff found entire file cabinets that had never been touched full of cases that had never even been put into the system. 

    In the last two weeks, The Sentinel received follow up emails from both persons who had complained about no change stating that Ms. Sitton and her staff had addressed their cases and that, "She (DA Sitton) has restored my faith in the Criminal Justice system in Polk County".  

    Just to vett the claims of these two new found supporters, The Sentinel has confirmed that the Docket backlog is moving ahead at a great pace, especially in Polk County.  

    As a follow up, we took opportunity recently to watch and listen to an entire day of SJC District Court hearings in the 258th court with the Honorable Travis Kitchens presiding.   What we observed were all departments prepared and communicating despite the different rolls.  The SJC DA's office were set up with all their files and even a printer on the table able to produce needed documents on the spot with no delay.  The probation department was up to speed on each defendant she had on the docket that day and had already had discussions with the prosecutors and the defense attorneys so they could move forward.  The Court Coordinator and District Clerk took care of their business filling out and filing documents on the spot.   I even heard one defense attorney thank SJC 1st ADA, Rob Freyer for going out of his way retrieving a file from upstairs the attorney needed to best represent his client.  "No problem" was Freyer's response after taking an action that prevented delay.  

  At one point, a mouthy defendant was before the bench and I noticed that Sheriff Capers' armed deputy charged with keeping the inmates in the jury box secured kept one eye on them but her and the probation officer moved in a little closer to the left side of the defendant before the bench.  Judge Kitchens long time trusted bailiff, J.R. moved over close to the defendants right side.  Captain Lovings left his court room door position and came up behind the defendant.  That was when he started getting lippy with the Judge.  Judge Kitchens told him "You need to chill out" and then proceeded to admonish the man that if he failed another drug test before his next court date, Judge Kitchens assured him that he would sign the warrant to put him in jail. 

     After all the cases on the dockett had been handled and I was leaving the courthouse, I asked Captian Lovings about them gathering around that one defendant and if they were expecting trouble.  He replied, "Yeah, he likes to fight". 

    We can and should expect good communication and even cooperation between our public servants but one other event struck me as a great display of a good attitude toward the common goal of seeking truth and justice for all.  An attorney out of Polk County was delayed on a probate case and could not make it to court but called attorney, Bobby Phillips to stand in for her.  He did just that.  He was not able to take on one hearing she had scheduled but was able to enter motions and counsel her clients so as to minimize the delay caused by herconflicting case.  It is that spirit of communication and fairness that pervades the 258th that will clear up the back log and get the system back on track.  

4/9/2023 SAN JACINTO CO

CONSTABLE SLINKS FURTHER OUT OF CLOSET

Pct 3 former constable San Houston has been way more open about the fact that he plans to run for sheriff of SJC in the next election as reported by The Sentinel when his signs first appeared.  Even though he, the DA and Secretary of State have ignored the law that dictates automatic resignation because he announced his bid for the office of sheriff a long time ago and began putting signs up all over the county, never the less,according to the law whether enforced or not, he is resigned.  

   My only question is this.  Is Sam 'the perv' Houston going to learn from Lee Hon's mistake?  Sentinel readers will remember that we warned Hon that if he stepped down as DA to run for judge that the voters would realize that Hon no longer had power (thumb) on them as DA and if they did not vote him in again, he was DONE.  Hon laughed it off and got his corrupt ass beat.  Who is laughing now?

   Will Sammy boy suffer the same fate?  Will he let go of his constable thumb on position, run for sheriff and find out the majority of voters in SJC don't want is corrupt ass in power here?  Sam may have the Pct 3 voters subdued and they may not care that he threatened a beautiful young woman with putting her in jail, taking her kids away from her if she did not meet up with him one on one.  The Pct 3 voters apparently don't care that his captain dog catcher Sparta is convicted of Agg Sexual Assault of a Child But you will find out Sam that a county wide race is a whole different critter.  You step down to run for sheriff and the voters will understand that we can rid our county of both of you perverts at once and see what happens.  

    The last thing the voters of SJC want is you as sheriff or your boy Sparta as chief deputy.  

By telling people he was running for Sheriff of San Jacinto County, former Constable Sam Houston has officially resigned his position as Constable of Pct 3, SJC according to The Constitution of this Great State.  Several witnesses have confirmed that Sam Houston has told them personally that he is going to run for Sheriff of SJC and his agent is campaigning for him in the 2024 election and Houston is already putting up political signs as reported by many Stentinel readers.

Art 16 - Sec 65
Article 16 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 65 - TERMS OF OFFICE; AUTOMATIC RESIGNATION

Sec. 65. AUTOMATIC RESIGNATION ON BECOMING CANDIDATE FOR ANOTHER OFFICE. (a) This section applies to the following offices: District Clerks; County Clerks; County Judges; Judges of the County Courts at Law, County Criminal Courts, County Probate Courts and County Domestic Relations Courts; County Treasurers; Criminal District Attorneys; County Surveyors; County Commissioners; Justices of the Peace; Sheriffs; Assessors and Collectors of Taxes; District Attorneys; County Attorneys; Public Weighers; and Constables.

(b) If any of the officers named herein shall announce their candidacy, or shall in fact become a candidate, in any General, Special or Primary Election, for any office of profit or trust under the laws of this State or the United States other than the office then held, at any time when the unexpired term of the office then held shall exceed one year and 30 days, such announcement or such candidacy shall constitute an automatic resignation of the office then held, and the vacancy thereby created shall be filled pursuant to law in the same manner as other vacancies for such office are filled.

POLK CO 8/29/2022

VISITING JUDGE PRESIDES ON AUDITOR CASE

The 258th court was the venue of the arraignment for Brandon White today and the Adminiistrative Judge for region 2, The Honorable Robert Hill Trapp presided over the hearing this morning.  Bradon White did plead Not Guilty and tentative pretrial and trial dates were set.  None of the other auditors arrested have been notified to appear for hearing.