Brian Hawthorne , Sheriff - Chambers County · Brian Hawthorne, Sheriff Post Office Box 998...

Brian Hawthorne, Sheriff Post Office Box 998 Anahuac, TX 77514

OMMUNITY OURTESY ERVICE BLIGATION

Administration: 409/267-2500

Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE

From the Office of Sheriff Brian Hawthorne

Sheriff Brian Hawthorne reports that on 25 December 2013 at approximately 11:50 p. m., Deputy Nathan Shelton responded to

the 200 block of Oaks Grande Drive in the Baytown area to assist Mont Belvieu EMS in transporting an injured male, later identified

as 52 year old John David Cook, Jr.

Mr. Cook had suffered severe injuries to his hands and an open chest wound. He was transported to Memorial Hermann Houston

Hospital via Life Flight where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Cook had been working with a 37 MM flare device/gun on his back patio. The expended

flare casing was found in the vicinity of the porch, in the grass. In the kitchen Deputy Shelton found several "A-Bomb" fireworks,

Black Cat firecrackers, scissors, a plate with gunpowder, and a glue gun.

An interview was conducted with Mr. Cook’s wife who said that she had gone to bed and was awakened by her husband screaming in

the living room. The investigation is ongoing.

Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the accident.




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Hawthorne would like to thank the Cedar Bayou Grace United Methodist Church for the invitation to be a part of

their annual “Christmas on the Bayou” boat parade which was held Saturday. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit with

Deputies Gonzales, Jobes and Burt patrolled the bayou. The Texas Parks and Wildlife also assisted with Game Wardens,

David and Patricia Vannoy. Elizabeth Wallace who is the Communications Coordinator for the church stated that Scout

Troops 93 and 208 with Troop Master Kelly Whitehead volunteered by assisting the over 200 spectators that attended free

hot chocolate and cookies.




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Brian Hawthorne reports that on 11 December, 2013, 911 received a call of a burglary in progress in the 400 block

of East 1st Street in Stowell, Texas. The caller observed two black males walking around the house and entering through a

window. Deputy Rodney Kahla arrived on scene in a few minutes, followed by Lieutenant Tony King, Deputy Jim Croley

and a DPS trooper. A thorough search of the residence by the officers also turned up a second suspect who was hiding in

a back bedroom. Skulee Ray Williams, 20 years old, and Devin Travond White, 19 both from Winnie were placed in

custody and transported to the Chambers County Jail and booked in on the felony charge of burglary of a residence.

Devin Travond White

Skulee Ray Williams



Administration: 409/267-2500Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Brian Hawthorne stated that on November 16, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. Chambers County Communications received a 911 call of a gyrocopter crash off of Belton Lane and Airport Road in Anahuac. Within minutes Chambers County Deputies arrived and called for the Anahuac Volunteer Fire Department and the Anahuac Emergency Medical Services to respond. The pilot, a 59 year old white male who resided in Harris, County did not survive. The scene was secured by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and turned over to the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Aviation Administration for further investigation.

CHAMBERS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

SHERIFF BRIAN HAWTHORNE

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

Press Release

OFFENSE: Aggravated Assault (Serious Bodily Injury)

DAY/DATE: September 2011 thru May 2012 INCIDENT NUMBER: 1301816

LOCATION: Winnie Texas

DETAILS:

On October 17th

and 18th

, 2013, Rusty Sherrill, W/M 57, James Logan Ruff, W/M 23 and Max Lee

Ruff, W/M 21, were arrested for the offense of Aggravated Assault (Serious Bodily Injury). The

assault was a continuing episode beginning in September 2011 and ending with the complainant

receiving medical treatment in an area hospital in May 2012.

The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office initially became aware of this case in August of 2013. A

brief inquiry by the Criminal Investigations Division found that a preliminary investigation had been

conducted by an investigator, who is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office. The inquiry

conducted by the current Criminal Investigations Division found no documented Departmental

record of this investigation. Based on this information, investigators with the Chambers County

Sherriff’s Office initiated the Aggravated Assault investigation. The initial details of this

investigation indicated that the complainant was allegedly repeatedly assaulted and held against her

will between September 2011 and May 2012. It was not until, May of 2012, when the mother of the

complainant intervened and had her daughter taken to a surrounding area hospital. At that time, the

complainant entered the hospital in critical condition and entered a comatose state for approximately

4 weeks. Due to the fact the case in on-going, the identity of the complainant will not be provided at

this time.

During the course of the investigation, additional similar allegations of abuse have been discovered

involving other complainants. The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office should be contacted with any

additional information concerning this or other incidents of this type involving any of the above

mentioned suspects.

Chambers County Sheriff’s Office -2- 11/8/2013

James Logan Ruff

Max Lee Ruff

Rusty Sherrill




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Hawthorne announced today that on 10-28-2013 at 11:42 a.m. Chambers County 911 received communication of a head-on collision which occurred on the north frontage road of Interstate 10 westbound at Jenkins Road. Involved in the accident was a Chambers County Solid Waste Department truck and a Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigations

(HSPCA) vehicle. Witnesses say that the HSPCA vehicle, driven by an Animal Cruelty Investigator on assignment with Chambers County Animal Control, did not yield right of way and struck the Chambers County Solid Waste vehicle head-on. The driver of the Houston SPCA vehicle, Alice Dickel of Houston, was fatally injured. The driver of the Solid Waste Vehicle was treated at the scene and released. Department Of Public Safety is investigating the accident.




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Hawthorne announced that on Monday 21 October, 2013 at 1:22 p.m. 911 received a call of a robbery at the

Hampton Inn in Winnie, TX. Upon the deputy’s arrival, the front desk employee stated that a black male approximately 6

foot in height entered and while walking up to the counter inquired about the price of the rooms. As the employee was

answering, the suspect began walking toward the side of the counter. He held one hand down to his side and slightly

behind him making her feel he had a weapon and told her to give him all the money. After receiving an unknown amount

of money he quickly fled on foot. Chambers County Deputy Burt arrived on scene and called for Criminal Investigations

Division to assist. Crime Scene Unit 1 Investigator Willcox and Patrol K-9 Unit Deputy Carrington arrived and started to

process the scene. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the suspect was seen leaving the area in a green, late

model Ford Expedition occupied by a black female wearing a red top. The case is still under investigations.

###




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Hawthorne is pleased to announce that the partnership with the Anahuac Chamber Of Commerce to facilitate the

first R.A.D.S., (Rape Aggressive Defense System) training program, which was held at Whites Park last Friday and

Saturday was a complete success. The course was taught by Tracie Mathews, a Police Officer with The Bellaire Police

Department. The training program is a 12 hour course and once a participant completes it she is allowed to participate in

future courses with no additional cost to her anywhere in the United States and Canada. A special Thanks to the Sampson

Energy Company for catering the program.




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Hawthorne announced that on 10-05-2013, at approximately 6:32 am, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office was

dispatched to the 44000 block of I-10 South in Winnie, TX. In reference to a theft of a Polaris Ranger (ATV), Tow-Max

Trailer, and 2-12 Volt AC Delco Batteries. A few hours later, Criminal Investigators Division, Major Offenders Unit,

determined that a GPS tracking device had located the stolen Polaris Ranger (ATV) in the area of I-45 North and W. Gulf

Bank Road, at a private residence within Harris County. Chambers County Sergeant, Pepper Sterner arrived on scene,

along with Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and recovered the stolen Polaris without incident. There have

been no arrests made at this time. This case is still under investigation so the names of the homeowner, along with other

persons of interest are being investigated for their possible involvement.

# # #

Brian Hawthorne, Sheriff PO Box 998 201 N. Court Anahuac, TX 77514



Fax: 409/267-6736

Sheriff Brian Hawthorne reports that on October 5, 2013, two males were arrested for burglary of a building in Winnie, TX. While en route to an alarm call at Fortress Storm Shelter, Deputy Chris Burt observed a gray Dodge Charger Eastbound on the North service road of Interstate 10. Leery of the fact that the vehicle was travelling away from the general area of the alarm call, Deputy Burt turned and followed the vehicle, conducting a traffic stop. The occupants of the Charger: Jamie Deandre Brown, 31 of Beaumont and Patrick Joshua Trahan 20, also of Beaumont, were questioned by Deputy Burt concerning their possession of tools commonly used in burglaries and for having a sheetrock-powder like substance on Brown’s arm and Trahan’s leg. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the two were involved in the burglary. They were placed under arrest and transported to the Chambers County jail, charged with burglary of building and each have a $20,000.00 bond.

Jamie Deandre Brown

Patrick Joshua Trahan




Fax: 409/267-6736

PRESS RELEASE


Sheriff Hawthorne announced today that on 23 September, 2013 at approximately 3:58 a.m. Chambers County

deputy’s responded to an alarm call at the Dollar General Store located at 1551 SH 124 in Winnie, Texas. Deputies

arrived at 4:06 a.m. and observed the front entrance door of the business had been forced open. When deputies

entered they discovered the cigarette display case located behind the counter had been forced open and a number

of boxes had been stolen.

During this same time, the Mont Belvieu Police contacted Chambers County Communications and were informed

of another break-in at the Dollar Store on Eagle Drive in Mont Belvieu. Video from both scenes was reviewed and

with additional evidence obtained during the investigation, warrants were issued for Burglary. The suspects are

identified as; Jessie Hunter, Joshua Thornton, Dunte Hardy and Tori Ruffins all from the Houston area.

All the suspects in this case were arrested for Burglary and Organized Crime and placed in the Chambers County

Jail with a $75,000 bond each. The Texas Rangers are also investigating these suspects for additional crimes in the

area.

Joshua Thornton:

Tori Ruffins:

Jessie Hunter:

Dunte Hardy:

Brian Hawthorne , Sheriff - Chambers County · Brian Hawthorne, Sheriff Post Office Box 998...

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