Polk County Archive Stories

LIVINGSTON I.S.D.

CRYOUT IGNORED

"A lot of kids don't want to go home" was the dismissive reply to a parent who called for an investigation into Audrii's homelife according to claims made by that parent.  There are reporting requirements when teachers see bruises and signs of physical abuse or mal treatment but verbal reports, not so much.

RICO ALLEGATIONS PERSIST

of organized effort to exploit children

An "Ex step father" in the neighborhood has garnered the attention of locals concerned that he has had child custody awarded to him over several peoples children.  "What is up with that?" they ask.  They further allege that McDougal was used to relocate children subject to court orders for a fee in the past.  Just questions along with proof that McDougal had proven himself an imminent danger to society but nothing was done.  It was only when Audrii disappeared that a months old case against McDougal was suddenly delivered to the DA for charges.  

POLK COUNTY

WRITE IN, 'DANA STRUVE' FOR SHERIFF

As far as degrees and field of studies, there is none more qualified than Dana Struve and she has long championed HEARING  the vulnerable being ignored in Polk County.  "At least they would know people want change" Ms. Struve commented when asked if she would run as a write in.  

With each side pulling for their man, it is going to be a close race again.  We don't endorse anycandidate but with the absurd allegations flying low on FB, we decided to lodge a protest vote.  Business as usual needs to be over with for Polk Co.  

channel 13 to make announcement

SEARCH DECLARES 'CRIME SCENE' 

The Trinity River bridge on 59 has been shown as the location for a 'crime scene' 

2/20/2024 POINTBLANK

SEARCH VESSEL LAUNCHED

McDougle is quoted by investigators as having stated, "If you let me drive my truck, I will take you to the body".  I call that a confession.  They don't.    The search in the river contunies this morning    For those who castize me for 'hurting family feelings' with my statements, so be it but we all know they don't search the channel for live children.  As for the comments the noose was racist, what an idiot.  McDougal is irish and he is described as, "a red head' in the complaint. 

     As shown in the graphic at left, evidence of a criminal conspiracy has surfaced.  More disturbing evidence is there as well.  Even child custody decisions have come into question.  

If I were to characterize the 'R.I.C.O. allegations, they would be, "look the 9other way" charges.  

2/17/2024   POLK SJC

SEARCH TURNS TO RECOVERY OPERATION

Killer confesses to murdering the little girl.  Sentinel sources indicate. recovery is a diving operation.  State spokesperson denies that body has been found or discovered.  State denies confession made.  Equa Search has left the scene according to those on site.  A whole lot of no answers.

SJC 2/16/2024

INTENSE HUNT UNDERWAY

An ongoing search for a missing child seems to have concentrated around the dam in Camilla area.. 

   Being investigated as a child molestation case.  It appears that Either an idiot or complicit father is involved in allowing access to his child

Unconfirmed source out of Polk Co  says a body has been found but several in SJC say no, only the child's backpack has been found.

UPDATE 12/19/2022

SENTINEL OBTAINS RECORDS

The arrest records for Chris Perry were obtained via open records request to the Brazoria County DA's office that confirm our source as correct.  Also, it was reported to The Sentinel that Perry was claiming I took this clown story down.  NOT.  I did move it to the Polk County page but now the records came in.  

ONALASKA 11/20/2022

CLOWN'S CLOWN CLOWNS ROUND

ONALASKA 9/11/2022

COMMISIONER ELECT PUTS CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON FULL DISPLAY

David Tanner, husband of former Twin Harbors POA board member Debbie Tanner, was ordered to leave City Hall after causing a disturbance at the POA meeting on Saturday.  He was cursing and shouting “F-bombs” after the parliamentarian explained the rules of the meeting. The meeting was being live streamed by residents, and you can hear his disturbance in the video HERE. Onalaska PD was called, and they told board members, one of them a retired Fort Bend County deputy, that Tanner would be issued a citation for disorderly conduct.

          You can hear one of the meeting attendees say that he did not feel safe. David Tanner had a four-foot long stick with him that was about two to three inches round. The stick was not a cane.

          The retired deputy board member motioned to have Tanner issued a criminal trespass warning and the board voted to do just that.  The Twin Harbors POA (THPOA) was using the Onalaska City Hall City Council Chambers and had the apparent authority to control what was going on during its meeting.  OPD Captain, and County Commissioner elect ,Mark Dubose, told board members that he could not issue a criminal trespass warning because the THPOA did not own the building.  You must question this because the THPOA was responsible for anything that happened in or to the City Hall at that time.   

          Mark Dubose won his race for Commissioner against sitting Commissioner Ronnie Vincent.  Dubose prevailed even though he ran in tandem with Twin Harbors residents Paul Laverty and Curtis Dickens.  There are photos on social media at campaign events taken of Laverty, Curtis and Barbara Dickens, and Debbie Tanner.  As we have written before, Onalaska voters dodged the bullet in defeating Curtis Dickens in his bid for election.  Dickens' wife Barbara Dickens, resigned June 26^th of this year from the THPOA board after the board removed her as president.  Tanner resigned her membership in February after being under fire for serving as the POA treasurer when she was going through personal bankruptcy.

    Both are at odds with property owners for wanting to allow cheap metal housing in the neighborhood. The Dickens even had a toilet in their front yard as yard art.  Accirdubg to THPOA board members, Both the Dickens and the Tanners have been noticed for their deed restriction violations.

Members of the trouble-making gang in the upscale quiet Onalaska neighborhood of Twin Harbors are still at it.  Debbie Tanner’s cousin, Chris Perry, told the board on Saturday that he has filed a lawsuit against the association. As the association consists of his neighbors, it will be interesting to see how his neighbors and fellow property owners react to his suing them.

  The irony is that  David Tanner isn’t even a property owner in Twin Harbors, his wife Debbie inherited the home from relatives.  

Sentinel readers will remember the stories of this gang's exploits harassing people in the enighborhood.  With is arson charges in Brazoria County, Chris Perry is my personal prime suspect in the incident when an incendiary device was tossed up on the porch of a family that has since moved.  Like this disturbance at the meeting, it too was investigated but no arrest made.  

AUSTIN 2/23/2022 

COLEMAN GARNERS BAR COMPLAINT

Tommy L. Coleman has a TexasBar  complaint filed by local attorney, Dana Williams for contacting her client directly while representing the the Polk Co DA's office.  As of an interview with Ms Williams a few weeks ago, she had not filed the complaint but had it written.  According to a reliable Sentinel source, the complaint has now been filed.  We have sought the actual documents that are available to the public.

<< SMALL MINDED BIGOT REMOVES DOUBT or

WEE WEE PEE PEACOCK STRUTS HIS STUFF

Curtis Dickens put on a display of utter ignorance at the most recent meeting of the Twin Harbors POA meeting yesterday morning removing any doubt as to what a small minded bigot he is.  His 'Hatist' diatribe was aimed at several and included him strutting back and forth, pointing his finger, making accusations and displaying the "Dirty White Boys' rocker he wears on his gang cut.   "Nobody is going to tell me I can't wear this rocker", Dickens is quoted as having said.  As the only journalist who has written about him wearing the rocker, The Sentinel never said nor implied that there was any restriction against wearing the rocker.  We just pointed out that it exposed Dickens hateful racist agenda for all the world to see.

    Several people have shared that they went home from the meeting physically nauseous from the evil spirit of hate and anger Dickens and a couple of his minions permeated the room with.  More than one current resident not only withdrew from participation in the POA, they asserted that they would be moving and more than one 'for sale' sign has popped up because of Dickens' antics.

    Multiple people said he really showed his A$$ at the meeting but not a one indicated they saw anthing that would prove he was a male, much less  a man.  "He carries his testes in a holster and couldn't wear it in here" one real man observed.  

    Onalaska voters dodged a bullet by soundly defeating this hateful man in his bid for public office.

DECEMBER 2021

FORMER MAYOR DIES BY GUNSHOT

Controversial former mayor of Goodrich, Jeremy W. Harper died by gunshot wound in his home after being taken to the hospital.  according to a story on the front page of the Enterprise.  A source questioned if it was murder based on his knowledge that Harper and several others had been interviewed by an FBI agent regarding  knowledge of corruption in Polk County at the highest level.  

    Harper had committed to provide evidence to The Sentinel and another seeking justice in Polk County but never did.  Right after being prosecuted by Lee Hon, harper split for Louisana and did not bring the promised evidence back to Texas.   Until this news, we have had no word from him in over a year.

BIG BAD BOY FIZZELS UNDER LIGHT OF DAY

Big City BOYS Logistics truck driver's big story devolves into a lying pile of hooey under the light of the Truth shining on his allegations.  I just wonder if Corrigan PD will embrace him now that he is denigrating The Sentinel as a lying rag under the philosephy that 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend'.  According to sources, Mayor Gibson came to the city council meeting and apologized for her behavior and left the meeting leaving the outcome in the hands of the city attorney, Tatum.  AD Hollowell did not do his homework before making allegations against me.  He is not the first to call The Sentinel a liar.  He won't be the last.  Any reader knows that stupid people saying stupid things doesn't make me angry because it is an opportunity to slice and dice them one more time Cincinati.  Calling me 'antifa' is as far removed from the truth as you can get but I expect no less from a muslim convert that hates America.

LONE TRUCKER THREATENS RACE WAR

After a long conversation with AD Hollowell, it came to light that the 'racism' he alleges in the heart of the mayor's father and PD Chief is the problem in Corrigan and his main concern.  The Sentinel counseled Hollowell to focus on the corruption aspect that he can prove instead of the tangent of racism he feels prompted the confrontation but that counsel fell on deaf ears.  Hollowell hung up on me after saying he was going to Malcolm X's right hand man (his cousin he claims) and bring a march on Corrigan to battle the systemic racism he feels is the root of all the problems in America.  A devout Muslim, Hollowell took time to quote the bible regarding taking up our Cross and seems to ignore the fact that is was muslims that sold his black ancestors into slavery to begin with.    Hollowell did mention his white ancestors as his mixed race heritage is evident but feels the remaining portion of his DNA deserves reparations.  According to Hollowell's own mouth, he did a stretch in prison on a conspiracy charge.  Any black whose name came up in the conversation who did not adhere to Hollowell's view and position was, according to him, a "house nigger", a phrase he used multiple times during the interview.  

CORRIGAN 9/17/2020

JANE FONDA MAKES APPEARANCE

    Corrigan Mayor Gibson makes her debut as 'Jane Fonda' for public consumption.  A 'family affair' unfolded on the shoulder of Hiway 59 in Corrigan as PD Chief Gibson, Mayor and wife, Joanna Gibson and business owner who is father of the mayor all confronted and harrassed a man stopped for speeding.  

      The blatant abuse of official capacity was put on full display and was streamed live on FB by the driver, A.D. Hollowell out of Indiana.  

   The Sentinel has published proof of the corruption in Corrigan before and specifically the illegal acts of Chief Gibson before and forwarded the evidence to the FBI, Texas Rangers and the Polk Co DA, Lee Hon but NOTHING has been done about the abuse of power so far.   The rumors are flying on FB that The Rangers are involved.  Hollowell claims his video keeps being removed by FB.  Yall forgive me if I don't hold my breath about anything being done about this blatant Polk County corruption.  Ho Hum.

    The Sentinel has reached out to A.D. Hollowell and gotten a reply.  We will follow up on this story with more details.

LIVINGSTON 10/7/2021

BELOVED MEMBER OFCOMMUNITY PASSES

Life long resident, Livingston High School graduate and friend to many passed away a couple of days ago and has brought so many folks to mourn his loss thathis passing is news way beyond an obituary.  How one man can have touched the lives of so many people, only God knows.  

   It may have been his life long presence here, his faithful service to our military,a Marine.  Maybe being a volunteer fireman or 30 years of working with the local electric co-op.  It could have been his remarkable ability to make and keep friends for life, for treating everyone like a friend or just his Character that let him BE a friend.

   All I know it that The Sentinel has done a few announcements about people that have passed that we felt made a difference in our community but in some way or another, this man managed to touch the lives ofpoeople everywhere I turn.  

   I never had the opportunity to be Yancy Williams' friend but it was just a matter of time and will be on that glorious day but so many folks that I have gotten to know, love and respect in Polk county do have great admiration and love for Yancy Williams and will miss having him in their lives.   

   Maybe it isn't too difficult for us to understand how Yancy Williams effected the lives of so many when you remember that 'Character' is, after all, expressing the true image of Christ in your mortal body.  

 I try to remind folks who grieve that for a man like Yancy Williams,  it is not goodbye but just so long for now.  

POLK CO 12/6/2021

WHERE IS TIM MARTIN?

or, "Pretty lil filly tames tall handsome cowboy"

The Republican Party Chairman, Fred Grube and his former PIO, Tim Martin were noticably absent from the recent high profile, Allen West event held by PolkCo republican Club. 

    We received a lot of calls and comments about the event but along with every call remarking on Allen West, was the persistant question, "Where was Tim Martin and Fred Grube?

   The easy part of the answer was that Fred Grube had to work but the, "Where is Tim Martin?" part of the question wwill take a little more telling.

    Aside from the general knowledge answers  like he has been busy doing real estate, production work and putting in twenty plus gardens for friends and family after the Rona hit,   I think my sub headline nailed the answer in one simple statement.  Well maybe 'simple' is the wrong word here.  It is never a simple answer when a man changes right before our eyes so I called and asked him why.

   "I just got tired of the meaness", Martin lamented, "and waking up every day to a battle." he added, after his own political run for commissioner proved that false criminal charges are an always danger and oft likelyhood in the Polk County political trenches.  

    "I just want to focus on the positive", he determined.  "I have to pay attention to my business", Martin realized in the midst of the time consuming research and writing it took to be on the right side of the issues he took a stand on.  "I didn't want to put anything out there that wasn't true" Martin observed adding that it takes time to chase down the truth and make sure you are right when you open your mouth.  

    Having met Tim via phone when his service as Public Information Officer for the Republican Party made him my go to guy for answers in Polk Co. there is no doubt Tim's answers were well studied,  true and correct.  His carefulness is, I am sure, the very reason Fred Grube selected him to serve in the PIO capacity.  

    We had opportunity to talk several times before Tim's call to me after I published the, "Anatomy of Corruption" story that earned me 7 felony counts for my efforts.  Before Hon went as far as filing charges, It was Tim Martin who called and laid out his view of why I should take that story down.  It wasn't a single issue but a multitude of circumstances in the community he made me aware of that would be better if I did take the story down.  

    After listening to his counsel and a little time in prayer, I did decide that he was right and it was in the best interest of several innocent people that I should take the story down.  

    At this point, I had already received Lee Hon's 'threat to sue' letter that I responded to with, "I waive the 30 days notice, sue me".  

     One of the many things that I respect about Tim Martin is that he told me right up front that he spoke with Lee Hon and they had known each other many years.   Another is his penchant for saying it like it is whether he is agreeing or disagreing with you. 

    Once I came to the decision to take the Corruption story down and called Tim to let him know why, unbeknownist to me at the time, he did speak with Lee Hon and advise him to refrain from retaliatting against me.  "I've talked to Watson often enough to know that fear is not going to be a motivator with him", Martin advised Hon, and if you push this, it is just going to turn into a mess and hurt people"  

   When push came to shove between Hon and I and Hon filed an 8th felony  charge on me for merely attending a Republican Club meeting and taking some photos and writing a story, it was Martin who stood up and told the truth about Hon bragging at that meeting, "I am glad he (me) was here because it will go against him in the punishment phase".   

    It is reason's like this that tell me Martin is a man of Character and principle.  

    We sll know Martin was deep into the fray standing up for what is right when along comes this lil filly, Shelia Ann.   It was obvious from the get go that these two value their time together. 

   One thing for sure is that pleasant time is much more pleasant than the  controversy and turmoil that hard fought politics produces in a person's life and any relationship.  

      In a nut shell, Tim is still out there and he is still community minded, still loves his momma and Polk County but has drawn back from the political scene and told everybody he was doing exactly that.  

    Are a lot of people missing his presence and influence on the local political scene?  I am sure they are since it is a primary question on many minds. 

   As a journalist, I have never known Tim Martin to be afraid of any question or any answer like so many are these days.  What he may be afraid of is missing out on 'Honey Dew' heaven right here on earth and ever having to sing along with, "Statute of a Fool" when it comes on the radio.  Having a pretty lil filly that sings sweet songs for her man would obviously be the better choice.

   If I did learn anything about Tim Martin in our now years long association it is that you ought not count him out or think he has isolated himself from making a difference in the world.  He has taken another tack he hopes will be more productive.

   I said all that to say this:, That pretty lil filly has tamed her Polk Co Cowboy.  He can talk about gardening, pumpkins,  rodeos and any other distraction life may bring but the crux of the issue is that the man is happier doing what he is doing and not doing what he isn't doing.  

   As always when concluding a conversation with Tim Martin, you find yourself contemplating his views and understanding his perspective more than you did when the conversation started.  

    Tim is a public service minded man and he will always be in my view but as long as unethical retalitory politics are the name of the game in Polk County, her stallion is in the paddock he likes and isn't worried about what is on the breeze.

POLK CO 2/22/2020 

BOB WILLIS STILL LYING IN PRINT

It still seems to be escaping Bob Willis that MORAL Conservatism is the most prominent plank in the Conservative platform.  Without moral conservatism, you are NOT a conservative.  So when Bob CONTINUES to print and distribute campaigan propaganda that is full of lies, he removes himself from the realm of being a conservative.  This ad released after the Polk County GOP exec committee issued and published a "Statement of Condemnation" against Willis because of his illegal and unethical antics, Bob's response was to issue ANOTHER lying political propaganda ad. 

   POINT ONE-  There is NO SUCH THING as a "Code of Ethics of the Texas GOP".  It does not exist.  Was does exist is the Texas GOP mission statment:

    We are committed to advancing limited government, lower taxes, less spending and individual liberty. Our specific goals are to grow the Republican Party by reaching new voters, advance the Platform, which is grounded in conservative principle, and to keep Texas prosperous and free.

     Do you see that 'grounded in conservative principle' Mr. Willis?  Moral conservatism is the backbone of being a conservative.  That means No LYING, No Slander, No filing false criminal charges for political purpose like you guys have been doing for years.  The 'Fair Campaign Practices Act' is a code of political ethics that you have violated with impunity and then point and holler and accuse others of doing EXACTLY what you do.

   POINT TWO- It was YOU who defamed your character by taking the illegal (yes filing a false criminal complaint is a crime) and unethical steps you did to try and steal an election with LIES.  All the party did was call you out for your own actions.

   POINT THREE- The 'Club' is the source of the problems.  Over the years, their leadership (tommy coleman, lee hon) had been successful in wresting the power away from the local party by controlling the money.  It was the same thing in SJC a few years ago.  The money folks would gather and 'club' it up and pick their candidates to support based on cronyism, moneyism, nepotism and good ole boyism and forgo the main platform plank of the Republican Party, MORAL CONSERVATIAM.   Former constable Lou Rogers was our club's  "Lee Hon".  They were used to the tactic of running last minute ads full of lies timed to prevent the opposition from having time to respond.  Then came the advent of social media and instant press.  The Genesis of The Sentinel, in fact, was when a local judge told me, "Steve, don't pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel" when I took on a local publisher for printing a lying ad he knew was a lying ad.  My comment in reply was, "Judge, by the time the ink is dry, it is old news" and went home and started The Sentinel.  So you see Bob Willis, You can tell and print your lying propaganda ad in the last issue before elections but just as quick, we can dispute and refute your lies with The Truth.  You are a Liar and a Crook.  It is that simple.

SEVEN OAKS 1/4/2021

NEW OWNER ENHANCES TO 'HATE' CRIME

After a local contractor and business men once again used the longstanding prescriptive r.o.w. known as Hester Ln to render services to a muli-generational family land owner that lies between US hwy 59 and the old Hwy 35 roadway in Seven Oaks, the new kid on the block decides his money grants him the right to dictate who can and cannot come down this public r.o.w. based entirely on HATE.  

Based soley on those feelings and nothing to do with Historical fact, the current owner, Allison, did the former rights stealing owner (Ronnie Legget) one better.  Instead of just moving the fence north about 50 feet to the north side of the road then putting up a road blocking gate when he crossed back to his line on the south line of the road before joining the US 59 r.o.w. like Leggett did, the new owner once again gated the public Hester Ln r.o.w. but now has actually put a lock on Raymond Criswell's gate into his own property 500 feet down Hester Ln.

    These land grabbing schemes are old news in Polk County.  When you have FORMER commissioner bob willis running his real estate scheme right out of his Pct office where he is profiting from tax sale properties that he voted to set the tax rate on that caused the owner to lose it, that is repugnant.  When Willis is getting the list of properties that are about to be foreclosed on, it gives him a jump on the gun to buy out stressed property ownership that he voted to 'stress'.  It just stinks.  IF, and that is a big IF, the people of Polk County continue to look the other way while the 'big boys' play, just do The Sentinel a favor and don't call me anymore.  

     Allison has not only expressed his hatred for Raymond Criswell, he has pledged a portion of his bountiful funds to the project of proving how much hate he has for Criswell.  Isnt it odd how the Criswell Tract would go a long way toward connecting the two new comer investment parcels if only it could be devalued and or forced to tax sale?

   If the  market value is increased while the owner is under Ag exemption paying much less in taxes, it might not be noticed.   Add to that ploy, 'landlocking' the target property so they can't take care of their cows.  (exactly what happened to Criswell already) When the target loses their Ag status all of the sudden he is facing tripled market value.  Then when they can't pay, it is either purchased at tax sale or the owner approached and offered substantially less to keep from losing it.   Can we say Wilgo?

     This story isn't over so Follow along with us on the foray into the underbelly of systemic corruption in Polk County.  Let us see how big money and 'contacts' in Polk County fare against the truth of the matter.  Hester Lane is a public R.O.W. no matter who owns the land beneath it.

Let us do a little 'value' study and explore just how the corrupt good ole boy system works.  At left is a map of the 7 Oaks city limits and the immediate area south of the City limits.  Four parcels are hilighted at left that we will reference.  The first parcel is the Criswell tract, Property ID # 12971.  As the map and above photos show, there has always been a road to the property.  Mr Criswell's people have been on that land for over 100 years.  One old house that his aunt lived in is in ruins now but faces the gate and road that has been used over a century.  In the 1996 Google earth shot above, you can see the dark square shadow of the roof still even though it was in ruins then. That house never had electricity but the ice man brought out ice regularly and the butane man brought butane.  Both of those vendors used the road to deliver their goods BEFORE the electric lines were put in.  Before Hwy 59 went in, the road intersected Hwy 35.  Criswells property value has been tripled in the last dozen years according to CAD records.  His property is valued today at $3,776 dollars per acre.

    Right below Criswell's tract is the 48 acre parcel Ronnie Legget bought (prop id# 12816) in  2005 per CAD records and sold in 2008.  Before selling the parcel that you can see  fronts Hwy 59 and hwy 35, Leggett proceeded take Criswell's fence down and build a new fence on the north side of the prescription public r.o.w. that Criswell's ancestors and 5 other property owners used to access their property.  After Legett moved the fence to the other side of the road, he ran the fence along the north side of the road until he got within 200 feet of the Hwy 59 r.o.w. and then swapped his fence back to the south side of the road and gated it at that point.  After all there is a Hwy 59 cross over and a county road sign that are a testament to the fact that the public r.o.w. was there in 1969 when Hwy 59 came thru.  How odd that Leggett's tract fronts both highways, is quite rectangular, improved with no defects yet his value did NOT triple or even double in the same time frame Criswell's did.  In fact, Leggett's parcel was only increased half of its value instead of tripling.  Today it is valued at $3,597 per acre.   

    The third parcel we will look at is comparable to the second parcel in that it fronts hwy 59.   This parcel was owned by Weyerhaeuser until ten years ago.  It was sold to Keith Jaehne, Trustee but prior to that, the Weyerhaeuser Co. transferred it to the real estate division of their operation.   Now it belongs to 'Future Oaks, LLC' by deed dated 2016.  It would be an interesting study to find out who that is but back to the point.  Despite the fact that this tract fronts Hwy 59 and is closer to downtown and the cross roads, this 31 acre parcel has had a value DECREASE in the last dozen years while Mr. Criswell's so called 'landlocked' tract has tripled.  The Future Oaks LLC parcel is now valued at $3725 per acre.

POLK CO 4/6/2021

SHERIFF ADDRESSES MULTIPLE ALLEGATIONS

In the midst of a full court press to get The Sentinel out on a limb publishing fake news, several 'sources' loaded us down with every imagineable allegation that could be construed against the Polk Co S.O. and the new sheriff.  Ranging from allegations of sex orgies in the jail to openly operating a drug den behind bars and employees lying to the Texas Rangers were presented to The Sentinel from an 'anonymous' source as valid.

     When I weighed those allegations against the factual events of Sheriff Lyons arresting and charging a jailer with deviant sexual acts and promptly initiating a Ranger investigation of former Jailer, William Jerry for physically abusing inmates, the allegations gave me pause to consider the claims. 

      Our direct questions to Sheriff Lyons and Chief Childers were once again answered promptly and in writing with much candor.   As Sheriff Lyons aknowledges, there are problems to be addressed and his record so far proves he and his department are pressing forward to solve those problems and be as transparent as possible.  

      There is a fine line on open records that pertain to an open investigation.  Our last desire is to interfere with any investigation.  We hereby withdraw any suggestion that the Polk Co Sheriff is being less than transparent.   Byron Lyons is not an attorney and has a legitimate duty to the people of Polk County to seek legal advice on records releases.   It can be frustrating when we want to know now but I have been wrong before.  

CORRIGAN PD 2/25/2021

CORRIGAN PD HIRES REJECT . . AGAIN

Two days after his suspension from the Polk Co. S.O. for the charge of beating an inmate in custody, William Jerry was hired by Corrigan PD according to TCOLE records.  Corrigan PD Cheif Gibson has demonstrated a pattern of hiring criminals with a badge and giving them cover.   Gibson and Hon worked hand in hand to deny The Sentinel the records on Christopher Lima that show a bunch of complaints by citizens and even his own family.  Corrigan reduced Lima to 'part time' but Trinity County Sheriff, Woody Wallace has hired Lima full time. 

     Wallace and The Sentinel sparked years ago when Wallace hired former HPD officer and failed SJC sheriff candidate, Royce Wells when we obtained public records from the City of Houston proving Wells to be a sexual predator.

POLK CO S.O. 2/23/2021

JAIL CAPTIAN ASSAULTS INMATES

William Jerry, a long time employee of Polk Co. S.O. is under investigation by the Texas Rangers according to reliable sources.  His chronic bad temper and anger management issues have resulted in MULTIPLE complaints to The Sentinel and it always seems to be a white inmate that suffers from the rage of the black captain.   The most recent incident is alleged to have occured tuesday morning and involved a severe beating and a tazer put to the temple of the inmate.   Another confirmed assault by William Jerry on a different white inmate went unpunished less than a year ago.  

  According to the source,  "capt" William Jerry was placed on administrative leave and the inmate was moved to another facility by the Rangers.  Polk Co S.O. Employees were ordered not to speak of the incident but even they have had a belly full of the cover ups.  

    We are seeking open records and an official statement.  Administrative leave is NOT sufficent for anyone that will beat a man who is in custody.  It is that simple.      

UPDATE 5/21/2021

TOWER PROPERTY DEBT PAID 

The check was "in the mail" following Judge Brown's decision and arrived recently to compensate the prior owners of the Water Tower parcel.  It was in the amount determined by the appointed board during the City's emminent domain process.  

       Now, Polk County, on to the travesty being perpetrated against this man's brother by the epitomy of "good ole boyness" in east Texas.   I am talking about the public access to Mr. Criswell's 100 plus years historic holding of family land in Seven Oaks, Texas that has been systematically surrounded with physical barriers placed and 100 years of public access to the parcel being denied.  The public and business men have used the right of way since back when Ice was delivered by wagon and they called it Butane. 

FACTS OF THE MATTER:

     1)  The road orginally turned off of Old 36 before US 59 came thru in 1960's

     2) The TxDoT map shows planning for wide spot for intersection of Hester Rd

     3) There was the obvious remains of a home, a small tin roof house, on the 2o acres where the 80 yr old owners grandmother lived when he was a child.  A home that had ice and butane delivered and had electrical service also.  A site where we recovered old snuff bottles and black hair care product bottles dating from the 50's the day we did some business with the owners and opened up the public right of way to the tract in order to conduct a clearing job.

    4)  There is photographic evidence of the parcel being accessed on a public right of way EXACTLY adjacent to the cross over TxDoT built Exactly there for the through road, Hester Ln to the Old Hwy 36 Hiway.

     5)  Ronnie Leggett admits to arbitrarily fencing the parcel off one day because, "I didn't mind him using the road but I didn't like all those grandkids coming out there".  

     6)  The information on Leggett's deed filed in the clerk's office does NOT match the  information that was carried on the CAD site when we began looking into this.  Questions raised by that.

      7)  Local good ole boy attorney took Criswwell's case, his twenty thousand dollars and filed a suit that would have proved the 100 year history of the public use of the road.

      8)   Attorney went back, after taking their money and modified the suit REMOVING the 'public use' argument and then cried when he lost the case. . . . . . . and kept all of the property owner's money.   Judge refused to compel production of documents needed for Criswell's case. 

       9)  There are county roads and state hwys that bisect property where a private individual owns the land by deed and IS being taxed for the acreage under the road.  So what.  You can't close the road because of historic public use.  

       10)  After the owner was "land locked" by the illegal maneuver, the CAD TRIPLED the property value while in the same time period, more valuable hwy frontage tracts adjacent to it with no 'access' problem were either devalued or show little increase.   Did I mention that both those tracts are held by wealthy investors?  

        11)  As a former state licensed 'Tax Professional Examiner', early participant in the Appraisal District process and an open records hound, I can state with no reservation that it is an abuse that I have seen record evidence of it being perpetrated against unsuspecting property owners before.  Surround them and choke them out whatever it takes.   This particular scenario consisted of fencing off, running up value while under ag because taxes stay low then they can remove the ag exemption because no one can get in to feed the cows.  Tax Sale!!!!!!  Pick it up pennies on the dollar and resale it right out of your Commissioner's Pct office.  

        12)   Oh that is right.  Polk County stood up to the corrupt Bob Willis and voted his crooked tax payer frauding, political ad lying A$$ out of office last election.   Hope Springs Eternal.

(Dear anonymous commenter wilkenson, I am not going to publish your comment on this story because of the personal attack but answer your question.  What does Bob Willis have to do with Seven Oaks?   He was on commissioner's court when Mr. Criswell came in and brought the complaint before them multiple times where it should have been rectified and wasn't.  Instead, they good ole boy'd him into a corner where he would have to pay triple taxes compared to neighbors or sell it.   That is not the real reason I brought Bob Willis into this story.  1) It illustrates that corruption has no boundary.   2) The voters can and will vote that nonsense out when they know about it.)

LIVINGSTON 5/7/2021

JUDGE BROWN MAKES TOUGH DECISION

In a most complicated case that has been in Judge Brown's court for several years, monies promptly awarded by the city languished in the court registry for years.   The Sentinel took interest and wrote the original story and dug a little.  

     In the suit, the City of Livingston did take a tract of land for the construction of a new water tower to serve the population of the City of Livingston.  It is needs like this that are why the eminent domain laws are on the books.  In accordance with law, The city formed a three man panel to determine a fair market value for the small parcel, set a value of 29,000 dollars and promptly paid it into the court registry years ago and built the new tower.

        Judge Brown's delemia was so many heirs named in their search and none found and the applicants had no attorney familar with the language of the court.       

         Intestate decent and distribution can make a nightmare out of title search efforts especially many years ago as this tract reflected.  Judge Brown dug for the answers in plain language and remarked once, "That answers a lot" when two "Margaret"s were just one woman remarried.  

          This 80 year old matriarch cleared up other lingering questions related to list of names he found out that were siblings and deceased.  "We all growed up in that house" was her testimony.   

          Both the local LULAC and NAACP reps were present along with the Enterprise.   

          Judge Brown, after intense questioning on heirship, mapping information and what little deed record evidence there was, did award the monies to the only heirs that have stepped forward after years, even after repeated publications of notices during the eminent domain process.  "Not to sound cliche'", Judge Brown closed the hearing with, "But the check is in the mail."

FACEBOOK 4/22/2021

FAKE PROFILE = FAKE 'FACTS'

The below snip is just a small portion of a long winded rant published on the Onalaska FB site to ATTEMPT to counter the fact finding efforts of The Sentinel.  I am certain that Chris Lima is the author based on the comparison of his past FB rants against me.  (Same ole lies, same ole misspells, same ole grammar) I know this is a fake profile.  Instead of hashing it all out again, I will post an article I published in 2019 addressing their same efforts from back then.  Unlike Lima and his ilk, my name, number and address is published at left.  Any Questions, please ask.

Published August of 2019;

SOME ATTACK SENTINEL CREDIBILITY WITH OLD NEWS

Once again when my efforts at covering news in East Texas has offended the sensibilities of people close to the story, my credibility as a news hound has come under attack via unfounded accusations and old news. The fact that I am registered as a sex offender always comes to the forefront when people cannot refute my news with facts. Royce and Ruby Wells did it when I exposed their crimes and knocked him out of the Sheriff's race. John Lovett and Mary Olga Lovett did it when I exposed his crimes and lies as a county judge leading to his removal. Lee Hon is doing it along with getting criminal indictments against me for publishing the proof of his crimes. (stay tuned because I have more on him) DA Mark Price did it when I went after him for his crimes. Lou Rogers did it when I took his badge away from him for his criminal acts. Keith Black, Chris Lima and Nathan DeWeese have conspired together and tried to do the same to no avail because I have exposed their crimes. Now, the cutest Troll ever is ranting and railing in comments below because I used a factually correct headline that many considered insensitive.
My readers know that I have worked tirelessly to expose corruption in elected officials for years and have built a platform, www.sentinelalert.org that neither face book or twitter or any third party can unplug. The facts surrounding my registration have been published on my own website for years. Nothing would please me more than for the community to give a damn and take a protracted look at case against me. For that reason, we will devote this page to that quest until every question is answered. No more news feeds on fb till this is given every opportunity to play out. Let us start with a few facts. When we are done examining cause 8103 B out of Leon County, then my readers will understand why I do what I do. It is based on the driving father instinct to protect my sons from the good ole boy criminal justice system. Let us start with this document.

1) "Conditions of community supervision" included 20 polygraph tests that I passed and to this day the state refuses to give me those results even though I am entitled to them by law. The district judge's comment was, "if you don't like it, you know the routine".

2) My probation ended on 7/7/07. how cool is that?
3) The so called 'child' was a few days shy of being 17.
4) The man who set the situation up was named Kyle Ott. He runs when he sees me. He is good friends with the three cops that I investigated and outed TO THEIR FACE about my cub reporter investigation showing they were running meth labs in Rye and Plum Grove. Larry Allen was the captain of the Liberty Co. S.O. Bobby Premeaux was a deputy. BOTH RESIGNED IMMEDIATLY.  Within a week, a man matching my sources description was found down the street from my father's house with his throat cut in a 'Columbian Neck Tie'. Then there was a shoot out at the Rye location that made the paper I had worked at stating the last two shot each other at the same time and both were dead. Funny thing is, the severed head of one turned up in Montgomery County and made the paper there a little later. That was 30 years ago.
5) In Leon County, there was a man named Watson running against the incumbent sheriff, Wilson. During the election time I was charged and was called to court 5 times and reset. There were two Watsons up on the same heinous charge, me and another man. When his case came up, the girl he was supposed to have molested appeared in court and stated he never touched her or ever made a complaint and asked the court why the man was even charged. The DA moved to dismiss and it was dismissed.
6) On my last appearance, I produced a tape of an officer of the court offering to let me pay my way out (a tape I still possess) naming the DA Ray Montgomery as someone we "can work with". For 5 thousand dollars, he promised me no conviction and no jail time. As soon as the DA heard the tape, he offered me the deferred adjudication deal. It was mis represented to say the least but if you look on the DPS site, there is no conviction on me. I do vote. I do own a gun.
7) Without a hearing or without me signing a waiver, the court changed my ten year registration to lifetime. That was illegal but it was done.

Please any questions will be addressed and answered. There is more I will share but all you newbys so quick to judge and condemn need to hang around a bit and see what shakes out.

POLK CO 4/20/2021

ZIPPER DOWN SYNDROME STRIKES AGAIN

The KTRE story linked to this headline just serves to illustrate the facts presented by The Sentinel before that some in law enforcement in Polk County appear to suffer from the 'Zipper Down Syndrome'.  

    Polk County Sheriff, Byron Lyons has AGAIN taken action against allegations of corruption by one of his own accused of illegal actions.  Thank you Sheriff and Chief Deputy Childers and for the integrity of the Liv PD officers involved.  An excerpt from the KTRE story reads: 

"The affidavit states that McCracken, during the course of duties performed for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, issued a speeding ticket to a woman on the evening of March 29. However, shortly after the traffic stop was completed, McCracken allegedly contacted the woman via Facebook Messenger and offered to decrease the severity of the ticket down to a warning before allegedly asking a series of increasingly personal questions, including the woman’s marital status and whether she would be interested in a relationship with him."

Another story on the same incident with more details can be read HERE

So here we have a detective working traffic who wasted no time contacting the woman on social media once he had her personal information.  A cop who was comfortable enough in Hon's Polk County environment to blatantly (in writing) abuse his official capacity by offering himself as her reward for submitting to his advances.   

    OLD NEWS. 

Here is an excerpt from The Sentinel 'Zipper Down Syndrome' story that sums up the problem'

"Since 2015, The Sentinel has fielded complaints by multiple women that OPD officers have stalked them.  In every case, with not enough proof to publish the story, I referred them to the DA’s office and the Ranger with an admonition NOT to mention my name.  Before long, I am fielding complaints from them that nothing is being done.  The most telling incidents, in my view has been a more than one time comment from women whom I gave that referral to the effect of, “What good will that do, they have their zipper down too.”

If any find it hard to believe that a Texas Ranger would engage in such inappropriate behavior as ignoring a complaint about a fellow law enforcement officer stalking a woman or a child, all we have to do is look back at the reason Ranger Duff was eventually removed from Polk County and allowed to retire quietly.  Running round with his zipper down.  I wrote the story then as a foretelling that for the DPS and DA Hon to NOT prosecute Ranger Duff for his illegal acts violating the public trust would have the effect of undermining that trust and tarnish the reputation of the premier law enforcement agency on the face of the earth.  Now I am writing that is exactly what has happened.  And that is not fair to the 95+ percent of decent and honest men and women who love our nation, its people and law order enough to put their lives on the line for us every day."

 On a personal note to the Polk County Texas Ranger, Ryan 'the broom' Clendenen, Why in the world would you stand flat footed, in public and run your head calling me a liar to anybody that would listen?  No Proof.  No specifics, just running your head.  Is it because you know I have this text message that alleges Chris Lima is stalking an underage girl and her reporting it to YOU in my files?  Did you tell Chris Lima about the complaint she made?  I KNOW I did not tell him.

LIVINGSTON 11/29/2018

SCORNED LOVER LAW USED TO ATTACK FREE PRESS

Recent 'twin' postings on the fb sites of two public servants expose the criminal thought process of said officials.  Instead of transparency and open government, as required by law, both want to shroud their actions in a veil of "Opaquency" stating that the general public has no right to know what they do as public servants.  Polk Co DA Bill Lee Hon showed his hand when he filed the felony criminal complaint of "stalking" against The Sentinel for showing up at a public event.  Hon used the same statute he is spouting in this article to file that BS complaint.  Now Chris Lima is upset that I have called him out by name.  Boo Hoo.  This twin posting by Lima and Bill Lee "the kid" Hon was within hours of my publishing the second in a month article exposing Chris Lima's crimes to the community by name.  I hope the readers don't let the fact escape them that two men whose crimes I have exposed and proven right here on the The Sentinel pages seem to be connected at the hip with their efforts against our operation.  Poor little 'wide spot in the road' detective thinks he is being mistreated on the pages of our publication.  Let me put you in some good company then son, how about I call out Kim Vickers by name again as the director of that agency that holds your certificaton.  He and I have sparked before and I called him out by name then.  Now when asked, his response it that until you are convicted of a certain class of crime, he is powerless to effect your status as a commissioned officer.  All you need for a beautician license or AC license is an allegation of wrong doing to yank their license until they prove themselves innocent. 

  How about Steve McGraw, director of DPS.  We sparked over the fact his dept could not find a single document that would let us know if a County Judge was fired or not or if he was eligible for rehire.  Lord knows Mr. McGraw probably doesn't appreciate my coverage of the WACO Twin Peaks shooting either but I feel free to associate his name with both events because he is the Director of DPS.  I call him out today by name for allowing crimes both of the local Polk Co public servants have committed because his angency has been put on notice and failed to act.   Steve McGraw's excuse is that unless the DA initiates the investigation, there is no investigation.   Our state laws actually allow the DA to handle any investigation even into himself, if he decides to allow the investigation to begin with, OR recuse himself from the investigation, IF he allows it to begin with.  Let that sink in.  By state law, the DA holds all the power in his district.  All I have is a pen.  But with that pen, I have and will again, call out by name, Attorney General Ken Paxton for turning a blind eye to the criminal acts of one of their own from times past.   Is there really a 'blue line' you can't cross because of allegiance as brothers?   A line that causes you to overlook criminal behavior?  Truth be known, it boils down to Greg Abbott.  From my understanding, he is the only one at a state level that can overide the DA protection laws and get a real investigation into the proven crimes that have been committed.   But why stop there?  The D.O.J. has been put on notice of the crimes of the DA and detective AND the state agencies that have so far overlooked the blatant criminal activities of these men with evidence provided.  We can just skip all the currently fluid leadership issues there and go ahead and lay it in President Donald J. Trump's lap.  We will call him out by name because all these 'bucks' stop with him.  Mr. President,  are you so engaged in your own battles that you can't see the battle for a free press and free speech under assault by an oppressive and criminal statist agenda of stifling the free press and freedoms by trying to apply the scorned lover laws to free speech issues?  The Sentinel's formal complaint with evidence is on file with your agency. 

    There you go Chris.  I hope you feel better now that you are not alone out there fighting those pesky investigative reporters that have a knack for getting to the truth of the matter in a public realm.   You (et al) might want to study these laws in the Penal Code. 

Sec. 39.02. ABUSE OF OFFICIAL CAPACITY. (a) A public servant commits an offense if, with intent to obtain a benefit or with intent to harm or defraud another, he intentionally or knowingly:

(1) violates a law relating to the public servant's office or employment; or

(2) misuses government property, services, personnel, or any other thing of value belonging to the government that has come into the public servant's custody or possession by virtue of the public servant's office or employment.

Sec. 39.03. OFFICIAL OPPRESSION. (a) A public servant acting under color of his office or employment commits an offense if he:

(1) intentionally subjects another to mistreatment or to arrest, detention, search, seizure, dispossession, assessment, or lien that he knows is unlawful;

(2) intentionally denies or impedes another in the exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power, or immunity, knowing his conduct is unlawful; or

(3) intentionally subjects another to sexual harassment.

(b) For purposes of this section, a public servant acts under color of his office or employment if he acts or purports to act in an official capacity or takes advantage of such actual or purported capacity.

POLK COUNTY 8/19/2020

PINK COWBOY SAYS ONE THING, DOES ANOTHER

Allegations of discriminatory hiring practices at TDCJ have surfaced and been investigated by The Sentinel for over a year now.  Contradicting and evasive answers from TDCJ directly have not helped to clear up any of the questions that have been raised and now State Rep, James White is lending his two cents worth of BS to the issue.  After over a year of frustration with the lack of answers from TDCJ, a SJC resident approached her State Rep for answers who referred her to James White since he chairs the House Corrections Committee.  Her inquiry was met with assurances by White that he would look into the matter and get back to her with some answers.  After waiting weeks to hear from White, the TDCJ applicant turned to The Sentinel to press the issue.   One line of the email I wrote James White read, "The headline I want to write is that you got to the bottom of it, not "REPRESENTATIVE WHITE IGNORES CONSTITUENTS".

White's reply was, "Write your headline. :-)"

I did change it up a little but here is your headline Rep White.

TDCJ FLAT REFUSES TO RELEASE RACIAL STATS

EAST TEXAS 9/1/2020

ANOTHER 'NO ANSWER' RESPONSE

Mr. Chairman did text back in an attempt to kick the can the wrong way down the road with a 'still no answer' response.  As Chairman of the Corrections Committee, referal was made to answer the question, "How can TDCJ put someone on an inmates' visitation list without the citizens knowledge or permission, then DENY that citizen employment based  on the fact that the applicant 'failed' to list the unknown inmate's visitation listing on their application for employment? 

   Efforts by The Sentinel to obtain open records document's from TDCJ to answer that and several other questions regarding discrimination in hiring practices has so far been met with an "Oh this is going to be a big bill for all these records and time to find them" threat letter from TDCJ.  As a forensic journalist, I have never been charged or had to wait for records from TDCJ in the past.  It was necessary for me to point out that they should read my request again.  We did NOT request copies.  The Sentinel requested "opportunity to review" the documents.   I only offered to accept digital copies if they preferred due to the corona virus limitations.  

    Rep James White has so far failed to reach out to The Sentinel with any answers to my inquiry other than "publish your headline".  He should have made it plural because we will get our answers so there will be more headlines.

POLK CO 8/29/2020

ALLEGED 'REPRESENTATIVE' CONTINUES TO IGNORE

James White is still ignoring direct questions regarding the hiring practices of TDCJ.   Says he will find out then ignores the persons efforts to contact him. 

LIVINGSTON 8/22/2020

MAJOR EFFORT TO FORCE TRANSPARENCY

Child Advocate, Rosemary Covalt's request for documents from the Onalaska Police Dept and city hall in order to get some answers about the on going corruption there was met with a bill for FOUR THOUSAND Dollars.  In my career outing corrupt public officials, it NEVER fails that when you are on to something, those corrupt will do anything to keep from giving you the documents that prove their crimes.   Lee Hon and his buddy, Rep James White are notorious for their reluctance to answer a straight question or oust the corrupt.  Lee Hon has proved his penchant over and over for letting the well connected slide by while filing false charges on the innocent who oppose him.  Can we say Ms. Clifton deal of the century?   Nearly a half million dollars of tax payer money was never accounted for and she slid by. 

POLK CO 0/19/2020

BYRON LYONS CALLS SENTINEL A LIAR

When the recent episode in corrigan of the half black muslim truck driver trying to start a race war with his unfounded 'racist' allegations came to the attention of The Sentinel, we did interview the truck driver.  After that interview, The Sentinel called Sheriff Elect, Byron Lyons to give him a heads up on the intentions of the rabble rouser to endanger the people of Corrigan but instead of hearing that, Byron Lyons proceeded to lamblast me with accusations of lying about him being out of communication with the jail staff the day Antwaun Boganny died in custody.   What Sheriff Elect Lyons apparently did not know before making the accusations it that I went after the jail house video tapes (and won the battle with the AG and obtained them) of the incident where the dialogue between jail staff and the EMS personel PROVE they did not have Lyons' number and when they did get the number, Lyons did not answer.  If YOU PERSIST in your allegations against me Byron Lyons, I can post those tapes in their entirety to prove my statement.  I do not want to do that because the tapes will bring you to tears that a man can be treated with such disregard for not only his health and well being but his basic humanity.   Watching a nearly dead body be drug around the jail and finally put on the floor where he was defacating and urinating on himself while the staff stand around with hands tied because YOU cant be reached and Hammack was even farther out of touch would enrage the populace against you.  EMS  was imploring someone to take action so they could save the man.  Shall I post them Byron?  What say Ye?  Just let me know below or you have my phone number.

POLK COUNTY 11/Friday The 13th/2020

TRUTH AND JUSTICE PREVAILS

    An 'In Person' segment of last Friday the 13th's session of the 258th Court in Livingston, Texas saw three motions to dismiss felony indictments against Stephen C. Watson (The Sentinel) announced, granted and signed by the Presiding Judge, The Honorable Travis Kitchens.  

    The three seperate indictments contained a total of 7 felony counts, each having a ten year prison term listed as penalty under law.  

     God has a sense of humor and Irony is often His way of expressing it.  Not only did He deliver the upper cut punch on Hon's 'high holy day', God used the retaliation accusations Hon made against me to prove his own criminal retaliation efforts for what they were and what we knew they would be. 

     One long time reader, friend and supporter offered this observation way back when Hon first made the accusation.  "You have done something no one else has been able to do Steve", she said, "You got under his skin and made him make mistakes."

     As more and more of the details emerge of Hon and Coleman's actions during their efforts to incarcerate me for life, the people of Polk County will see the "Anatomy of Corruption" laid open to the light of day.   

      Many, many friends (and you know who you are even if we haven't talked today), expressed their support in many ways over the years it took this ordeal to unfold.  Everything from a laptop loan to a, "hang in there" was offered and accepted gratefully but one stands out.  A long time friend and SJC Elected official laughed the day I told him that Lee Hon had gotten me indicted on three charges totaling 7 felony counts.  "Do you think that is funny?" I demanded, irritated.  He smiled and said, "No, I just think it's funny that Lee Hon thinks you are the one in trouble".                 

LIVINGSTON 10/22/2020

CROOKED COP EXPOSED AGAIN

Livingston PD's Adam Wiliford, a corrupt cop The Sentinel warned our readers about as far back as 2015, has proven his corruption and the blind eye of the DA's office to his crimes once again.  Wiliford 'investigated' the collision between a vocal critic of his (who had complained in writing of Wiliford's criminal acts before) and an 18 wheeler.   Wiliford issued her the ticket but alas, today was court day.  The case was reset because it was determined that the officer whose name was signed to the ticket instead of Wilifords works night shift and WAS NOT ON THE SCENE.

   In addition, a qualified former DPS officer and retired federal agent did examine the scene immediatly after Ms. Covalt was released from the hospital ER and determined from the skid marks and based on his extensive experience that the 18 wheeler was at fault, not Ms. Covalt.  For the Livingston PD officer to falsify a government document IS A CRIME but based on experience, Lee Hon will probably let the corrupt cop walk again.  Oh, did I mention Williford is one of the gym groupies?   

POLK COUNTY 9/12/2020

LOCAL ACTIVIST HIT BY 18 WHEELER

What one witness described as a textbook "pit maneuver" set the vehicle LULAC Rep, Rosemary Covalt was driving into a spin that nearly turned her vehicle over.  Having been vocal and persistant in seeking documents and filing complaints against several corrupt members of the Polk Co criminal justice system, Covalt was shaken to the core by the collision that nearly flipped her car over and did cause it to spin out of control.   Livingston PD's own Adam Williford responded to the scene and wrote Covalt a ticket even though he was the subject of one of the complaints Ms. Covalt filed. That complaint was regarding Wiliford attempting to bully her and intimidate her into silence over a year ago when kinfolk of Wiliford's hit Covalt from behind at the Jack in The Box.  Williford did NOT issue a ticket to his kin and instructed Covalt NOT to turn it in to insurance but Covalt was successful in proving to the insurance co that she was NOT at fault.  When Ms. Covalt obtained the official accident report from Liv PD, Williford's name was not signed to the ticket.  

SJC 2/16/2020

LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE

The snippet at left is just a tid bit of the evidence file obtained by The Sentinel in our search for the rest of the story.  I have read much of the file but not all and have a list of facts that I can report KNOWING I have the documents in my files to prove each statement.  Michael Lansing Flynt is a LIAR.  He lied to my face in multiple interviews.  He lied on his application for employment with the SJC Sheriff's Dept.  Flynt admits in a sworn statement of having an illicit affair with a fellow city employee during his time with the Humble PD.  Irrefutable proof exists that Flynt illegally accessed more than one government data base to compile a file on the husband of the clerk he was cheating on his wife with when that clerk wanted to end the affair.  The clerk passed her polygraphs with a wide margin indicating truthfulness and states Flynt threatened to arrest her husband and make her life a "living hell" if she did not meet with him and continue the relationship. 

    We will continue to examine the evidence and bring more forward at this critical time for the future of SJC but it will require time for redaction and scanning of multiple documents.

    As a student of 'non verbal communication' in college courses, there are several signs that people are lying.  Blinking at the instant the lie is uttered, covering mouth, wiping the nose and other gestures.  Flynt does not display those signs when lying.  He is comfortable in his lies.  In a recent interview where I asked Flynt about the affair with the court clerk, he stated to me, "So what if I fu#@ed a whore down there".  "The allegations are false but so what if I did".  That was before I obtained the file and have Flynt's written admission that he DID have an affair with her for almost 5 years. 

     When Flynt was confronted with the evidence by the Humble Chief of Police and offered an opportunity to resign in lieu of criminal charges being filed, Flynt promplty resigned.   Flynt's crimes are not the only criminal action in this case.  The Humble C.O.P., City Manager and City Attorney are all complicant in a cover up of multiple felony crimes.  They need to go to jail for endangering the people of San Jacinto County.   It is a wide practice that mirrors the exact M.O. of Lee Hon covering up the crimes of Christopher Lima in Polk County.  

LIVINGSTON 6/12/2019

STATE'S ATTORNEY SEEKS REDUCED CHARGE

No resolution in the sentencing phase of the case surrounding the death of PCSO jail inmate, Antwaun Bogany has been reached as of yet.  According to someone close to the investigation, the best offer to settle was to reduce the State Jail felony charge of injury to the disabled with criminal negligence to a misdemeaner with 15 days in jail and suspension of the jailer's license as full punishment.  Texas Penal Code 42.o9 requires harsher punishment for someone who lets a dog die for lack of medical treatment.

      Back in 2015, the Polk County Jail was out of compliance with the state's jail standards and an inmate died.  Two months ago, Polk County Jail was cited again for being out of compliance with the state's jail standards and an inmate died in custody. 

      Liberty county jail was cited for being out of compliance with the state's standards in April and is still out of compliance.  Liberty County had an inmate die a few weeks ago and has another inmate who is epileptic but denied his medication.  According to sources in the jail, the inmate had three hard seizures in a short time and was bleeding from his mouth when staff came and took him out of the tank and put him in a cell by himself.  He was later returned to the tank and STILL NO MEDS.   

      What is painfully apparent in East Texas is that bottom line budget numbers outweigh the responsiblilty of these county jails to see to the medical needs of people in custody. 

SAN JACINTO COUNTY 5/3/2018

26TH ANNIVERSAY OF UNSOLVED MURDER

The Natasha Atchley murder, some alledge rape and murder, remains unsolved twenty six years ago today.  The Sentinel has worked on the case a bit and even called a prison to request an interview with an inmate a year ago.  The next day, a cold case investigator called and asked me not to do the interview so as not to interfere with their investigation.  "They will lawyer up" was his reasoning if I contacted the man serving a 60 year sentence for a ten year crime in the TDCJ unit farthest from here.  "He was railroaded for what he knows and his entire inheritance stolen by the system" one friend claims. 

   A group of local sleuths, friends and family have refused to let the case die.  The reward has been increased and new eye witnesses have come forward with very disturbing but matching stories.   It has long been said that it was a Polk County crime that happened in San Jacinto County.  There is a group on facebook called 'Justice for Natasha' that is keeping the investigation alive, challenging the status quo and invading the heretofore power structure with social media that has become more powerful than the old guard that has kept their secrets so long.   Social media that brings distant witnesses to our very livingrooms. 

ONALASKA 1/24/2018

COMMUNITY BANDS TOGETHER - PROVIDES PROOF

   A disappointing result from local law enforcement and the prosecutor's office in Polk Co dragging their feet and giving Linda Vincent, wife of commissioner Ronnie Vincent cover for her crimes has backfired. 

   The Sentinel was challenged by the local Ranger with, "We don't start an investigation on a say so" and then DA Lee Hon totally ignored the issue despite The Sentinel's track record of accurate information.   It is not the only allegation of turning a blind eye to crimes committed by those in power that have been leveled against either man.  But that is another investigation.

   The Onalaska community was miffed and has had a belly full of the good ole boy system and has responded with production of the documents that are needed to prove embezzlement of FFA/4H Buyer's Club funds during Linda Vincent's tenure as treasurer.  A cooperative effort between several members in the community has resulted in evidence that warrants investigation. 

   Not all of the principals are known to The Sentinel.  One had access to actual bank records.  One had access to FFA Buyer's club records.  Another had access to dates and information that has been compiled over several years.  Another knows me and had enough confidence that we would protect their identity and do the right thing with the information that they collected them up and made the documents available to us via courier.   Only one is published above.  It is a bank record that shows the purchase of a cell phone, dinner for the Vincent family and a hotel paid for with the FFA/4H kid's money.   The 100 dollar cash withdrawal was done at an atm. 

   There are quite a few other instances of personal expenditures that had the effect of causing the Buyer's Club to bounce checks and incur many overdraft charges.  Another document is a forged letter on the bank letterhead explaining away an issue where Linda Vincent was questioned about disappearing money and 'the bank' took responsibility.  The only problem is the name of the signer is miss spelled and that person has confirmed that they never saw the letter much less signed it. 

  As is a Sentinel practice when an unsatisfactory answer is given at the local level, we often contact the tallest hog in the trough (no pun intended regarding the Vincent hog selling enterprise) to get some answers.  Why was this ignored?  What is the connection?  How deep does the embezzlement go?  How many organizations that Linda and Ronnie 'Boss Hogg' Vincent were involved with are missing money?  A short list of outfits that the Vincents had their hands in are, Little Dribblers, Texas Junior Livestock Assn, Polk Co Youth assn, Library Board, School Board.  There are others. 

   These documents will be made available to any official investigator that believes it warrants further investigation.  My number and address is posted in the left column.  Come see me.

Steve Watson - Publisher

UPDATE 1/15/2018

COMMISSIONER GIVES STATEMENT

A response to an email inquiry was received at The Sentinel offices. We will share that with the readers soon.

UPDATE 1/13/2018

LINDA VINCENT DELETES FB ACCOUNT

Too Late ma'am.   We already have a sneaking suspicion why no one seemed interested in prosecuting you three months ago when The Sentinel brought the information to Polk County officials.  Stay tuned because we have several more fb tidbits we will be sharing this coming week.

ONALASKA 1/12/2018

PUBLIC TRUST VIOLATED BY LOCAL LEADER

^{Matt 10:26} Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

Linda Vincent, wife of Polk County Pct 2 Commissioner Ronnie Vincent has violated the complete trust placed in her by the FBC Onalaska for many years according to Sentinel sources.  Our investigation has shown a pattern of forgery, fraud, theft and embezzlement that has racked up a total in excess of a quarter million dollars over quite a few years as Ms. Vincent held the position of church secretary.  Sources close to the matter state that church minutes were forged granting Ms. Vincent permission to cash in some FBC Certificates of Deposit in a local bank.  When interviewing an official associated with the Baptist General Convention and the local church and attempting to confirm the initial amount as 60K stolen, The Sentinel was told several months ago, "We don't know what the total will end up being because we are just now beginning an audit of all the books and all the accounts." 

    We reached out to Commissioner Vincent offering to publish any statement he or his wife would make verbatim and got no response.