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ROCKWALL – Rockwall Police released more details yesterday about the motor vehicle/pedestrian accident that killed Heath High School freshman student Chrishia Odette Friday night, after she crossed Horizon Rd. to retrieve a dropped cell phone.

Police say they responded at 9:36 pm to the scene at Horizon Rd. at Rockwall Parkway where they located a 13-year-old female with severe trauma. Rockwall EMS arrived at the location and transported the victim to Presbyterian Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

“The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was crossing Horizon Road when she was struck by the vehicle,” read the news release from Public Information Officer Sgt. Jeff Welch. “The driver of the vehicle did stop at the scene.”

He added that the case remains under investigation by the Rockwall Police Department’s Traffic Division.

By J.J. Smith

The post Rockwall Police release details about accident that killed teen Chrishia Odette appeared first on The Rockwall News.

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ROCKWALL – A Tennessee resident was convicted and sentenced to 54 years in prison and a $35,000 fine for Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine over 400 grams Sept. 4 by a Rockwall County jury.

Shelton Bonds, 48, had previously been convicted and sentenced to prison in Tennessee for three prior offenses involving the delivery of cocaine.

“This was a trial run for Bonds and his cohorts,” said Assistant District Attorney and lead prosecutor Lauren Ellis.  “If all went well, they would have made additional trips through Rockwall purchasing large amounts of cocaine, further poisoning our communities. Officer Ellis was instrumental in prosecuting this case because of his experience and knowledge in domestic highway enforcement.”

According to a news release from Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, jurors heard testimony that on Feb. 27, 2012, Rockwall Police Department Officer Josh Ellis detained the vehicle in which Bonds was a passenger on a traffic stop on I-30 and later found over a kilogram of cocaine in the trunk of the vehicle.

“Bonds had traveled from Tennessee to Texas the previous day and had stayed overnight in a local motel,” read the release. “Prosecutors were able to present telephonic communications which had been obtained through wiretaps in a federal narcotics investigation.  Those phone calls linked Bonds to the Rockwall drug offense by revealing that Bonds had organized the purchase of cocaine from a relative in Texas.

In punishment, Officer Josh Ellis testified to the negative effects of drugs on the community.

“Both state and federal law enforcement agencies worked hand in hand to investigate and prosecute this case,” said Culpepper.  “Collaborative relationships like these are essential in our quest to combat the widespread and insidious networks of the drug trade.”

By J.J. Smith

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Eric Williams

ROCKWALL – Jury selection began today in the Rockwall County courthouse in the first of three murder trials of former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams, who is accused of murdering Kaufman Co. District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, last March; plus Assistant Kaufman Co. DA Mark Hasse last January, in retaliation for charging and convicting him of burglary.

The trial was moved to Rockwall because of pretrial publicity and is scheduled to begin Dec. 1, despite attempts by defense attorneys to postpone it. Williams has pleaded “Not Guilty.”

Special prosecutors Bill Wirskye and Toby Shook are seeking the death penalty for Williams. They disclosed earlier this month that Williams was also targeting current District Attorney and former judge Erleigh Norville Wiley and his one-time boss, retired state District Judge Glen Ashworth.

Each potential juror will be carefully interviewed for 80 minutes by prosecutors and defense attorneys.

The first juror interviewed today stated that he doesn’t know much about the alleged crime, only that “a Kaufman Co. judge and his wife” were killed in their home. He added that he believes gun control is unconstitutional “for the most part” and he owns several guns, including 5 or 6 shotguns and six or seven rifles. He said he knows someone who killed a man, and he has not formed an opinion about Williams.

Williams’ estranged wife and co-defendant, Kim Williams, has been cooperating with police and will testify against Eric Williams, whom she is now divorcing. She recently led police divers to a spot in Lake Tawakoni under the two mile bridge that spans the lake, where divers recovered a gun believed to be the murder weapon of Hasse. Ballistic tests have linked the gun to the murder of Hasse. A second gun was also found.

No photos were allowed in the courtroom this morning.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – A Royse City man was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison for the first-degree felony of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Sept. 18 by a Rockwall County jury.

Jurors heard testimony that Arron John Lumsden, 29, sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl in 2007.

Lead prosecutor, Ashley Anderson, related that she was inspired by the courage of the victim, who is now 11 years old.

“Seeing her testify in front of the man who assaulted her and took advantage of her was powerful,” said Anderson. “She had the confidence on the stand to fight back in a situation when she was too little to fight back at the time of the offense.”

“Jurors had to listen to difficult and graphic evidence,” said Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper.  “This was a tough case for everyone, and I really appreciate the jury’s hard work.”

Multiple expert witnesses from the Hunt County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Dallas County Children’s Advocacy Center helped educate the jury on the reasons for a delayed outcry and the accuracies of a child’s memory.  Prosecutors also called an expert witness from the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center in the punishment phase to testify about the continuing dangers to society presented by a high risk sex offender.

In punishment, prosecutors presented additional evidence that he had also committed a sexual act with a four-year-old boy.

By J.J. Smith

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DALLAS – The former owner and president of Curry Auto Leasing (CAL) in Dallas, who pleaded guilty in July, 2014, to an information charging one count of bank fraud, was sentenced Monday to 24 months in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $1,170,620 in restitution.

Christopher Mark Hood, 47, of Rockwall was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.  He must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons in January, 2015.

CAL, located on Montfort Drive in Dallas, facilitated auto leases for individual and corporate clients by obtaining funding for the vehicles from various financial institutions. CAL served as the intermediary between the customer and the financial institutions, obtaining funding for the leases for the customer and then servicing the leases on behalf of the financial institutions.

According to documents filed in the case, beginning as early as September, 2007, and continuing through at least October, 2010, Hood knowingly executed a scheme to defraud the financial institutions by making false representations and promises concerning the auto leases and loans.

Hood’s scheme to defraud had two parts: (1) “double pledging” lease agreements with multiple financial institutions; and (2) providing a false guarantee to the financial institutions that CAL would provide a clear title to financed vehicles, knowing that clear titles could not be provided.

After obtaining financing from the originating financial institution to acquire one or more vehicles to be leased by CAL customers, on occasion, CAL through Hood, sought and secured subsequent funding for the same vehicle(s) from a second or new financial institution. At times, the secondary funding occurred at or about the time of the expiration of the original lease and/or for reducing the monthly cost to the customer. In some instances, however, the secondary funding occurred a few months after the original lease was funded by the original bank, without disclosure of the original lease to the secondary funding institution. At the time of the secondary financing, CAL, through Hood, represented to that financial institution that the funds paid through this financing would be paid timely to the original financial intuition so that a clear title could be obtained and provided. Hood knew this statement was false.

The U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Nicholas Bunch prosecuted.

By J.J. Smith

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Eric Williams

ROCKWALL – The prosecution and defense rested yesterday in the capital murder trial of Eric Williams, the former Kaufman Co. justice of the peace accused of murdering Kaufman Co. DA Mike McLelland, his wife Cynthia and Assistant DA Mark Hasse.

The defense declined to call any witnesses after the prosecution has called numerous witnesses during the past three days.

Closing arguments are scheduled today.

The jury yesterday heard testimony that Williams sent anonymous emails to law enforcement claiming credit for the 2013 killings of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife. Prosecutors explained Williams used cloaking software to mask the origins of the emails to a tip line.

Williams faces a possible death sentence if convicted.

By J.J. Smith

The post Defense rests without calling any witnesses in Eric Williams murder trial appeared first on The Rockwall News.

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ROCKWALL – Former Kaufman Co. justice of the peace Eric Williams was found guilty today by a Rockwall jury of murdering Cynthia McLelland, the wife of Kaufman Co. District Attorney Mike McLelland.

The jury, which took less than two hours to reach its verdict, will hear evidence from Monday in the sentencing phase, beginning at 8:45 am.

The former peace officer is facing the death penalty after being described by a prosecutor as “a ruthless killing machine” who had carefully plotted out his crimes.

Upon hearing the verdict, Williams bowed his head and rested his face in his hand.

The defendant has also been charged with the death of Mike McLelland and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse. The trial of the wife’s death was the first of three cases being heard separately.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys rested their cases yesterday after prosecutors presented evidence for the past three days. The defense cross-examined several state witnesses but declined to call any witnesses in William’s defense. He also chose not to speak in his own defense.

After the verdict, William’s defense lawyer, Matt Seymour, said their team would call witnesses and present evidence during the sentencing phase of the trial.

He stated there is no proof that Williams is the killer or that he was even at the McLelland’s home. He claimed his client is innocent and added that there is reasonable doubt and the facts presented do not prove the prosecution’s case.

By J.J. Smith

The post Eric Williams found guilty of capital murder in slaying of Cynthia McLelland appeared first on The Rockwall News.

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DALLAS – Dallas County and Dallas Police have announced that people caught with less than two grams of marijuana will not be arrested beginning in January as they begin an experimental program for officers to just issue tickets and a reminder to show up in court.

The County announced in October their plan to cite and release pot users. Although Dallas Police Chief David Brown initially said his officers will continue to arrest users until the legislature changes the law, he changed his mind along the way.

According to the Dallas Observer, Dallas County criminal justice director Ron Stretcher said the cite-and-release experiment was initiated by DPD about four months ago.

“The county actually did try a cite-and-release program shortly after the law was passed in 2007, he says, which covered marijuana arrests as well as a half-dozen other misdemeanors like criminal mischief and driving without a license, but it was marred by poor planning and a large percentage of defendants skipping court dates. Cops, prosecutors, and judges were “not all completely committed to the process.”

“This time, Stretcher is optimistic things will be different. The previous incarnation of the program was originated by the county, which had to convince sometimes reluctant cops to play along. This time, it’s the cops who are leading the charge. And officials are being much more meticulous about planning for implementation this time, for example drafting cite-and-release forms and running them by cops, prosecutors, and judges to be sure they pass muster.

Some hurdles remain. Without defendants being booked in and having all 10 fingerprints taken, prosecutors and the courts worry that police might have difficulty firmly establishing a person’s identity. To minimize these concerns, only pot-users with a valid state ID showing an address in Dallas County will be eligible for cite-and-release. And there’s always the danger that the defendant won’t show up for court.

Joe Ptak, who’s been advocating for the wider adoption of cite-and-release programs in the state, says the no-show problem is minimal when implemented in an intelligent way. Hays County, home of San Marcos, has 95 percent of defendants show up. The benefits, meanwhile, can be tremendous for cops and jails. In Travis County, about 5,500 offenders go through the cite-and-release program, which represents a significant savings in officers time and jail costs.

He hopes the legislature in 2015 will force state agencies (e.g. the Texas Department of Public Safety and university police departments) to adopt cite-and-release, which would establish a statewide framework for the program and allow municipalities to implement the program without going through the complicated dance they currently must do with courts and prosecutors.

CBS11-TV reported Dec. 15 that State Rep. Joe Moody has introduced a bill that would reduce penalties for marijuana possession in Texas.

“We tend to criminalize everything. What we’ve done here is created a civil sanction so it would still be technically illegal under the law but wouldn’t be punishable under a criminal sanction,” said Rep. Moody. “We need a new approach that allows us to more effectively utilize our limited criminal justice resources. This legislation is a much-needed step in the right direction.”

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – A Rockwall jury sentenced former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams to death this morning for the murder of Cynthia McLelland, wife of former Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland,

Williams was also accused of murdering the DA and his first assistant Mark Hasse but additional trials will no longer be necessary since he received the death penalty.

The 12-person jury took about three hours yesterday and 30 minutes this morning before announcing their verdict.

Williams was found guilty Dec. 4 of murdering McLelland. His defense attorneys tried in vain during the past week to save him from death row. He is entitled to an appeal, according to Texas law.

Yesterday his estranged wife but admitted accomplice in the murders, Kim Williams, told the jury and packed court room how “excited” that she and her husband were with having killed all three people. They were also planning to kill current Kaufman Co. DA and former judge Erleigh Norville Wiley and former state District Judge Glen Ashworth but were caught before they could do so.

Several victim impact statements were made by relatives of the McLelland family, including Nathan Foreman, Cynthia McLelland’s son; and Mike McLelland’s daughter, Krista Ball. Foreman said he believes in the golden rule but will have a difficult time forgiving Williams for murdering his mother. He said he misses her all the time.

Other members of the family told Williams he thought he was smarter than everyone else but was not and was caught for what he did. Now he will have to pay with his life and they will be there to witness his execution.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – Former Rockwall County Sheriff’s Department Maintenance Supervisor Michael Dillingham was recently arrested and charged with the Class A Misdemeanor of Theft of Public Property of $50<$500, after it was disclosed he was after scrapping County property at Parks Recycling in Quinlan.

County Sheriff Harold Eveanson confirmed by email this morning that Dillingham is no longer employed as a deputy but had “no further comment at this time.”

According to Dillingham’s Linked In page, he was employed there since 2009, where he provided “maintenance and repair to electrical, mechanical, surveillance, HVAC, plumbing and security within the facility and other locations within Rockwall County. Responsible for contractors, budgets, time keeping and inmate worker selection.”

He paid a $750 bond Nov. 13, was released from jail and has a hearing set for Jan. 5, according to the online Rockwall County Judicial Records.

By J.J. Smith

The post Former Sheriff’s Department Maintenance Supervisor Michael Dillingham arrested for theft appeared first on The Rockwall News.

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ROYSE CITY – A Rockwall Police officer was arrested Jan. 1 by the Royse City Police Department for Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon.

According to Rockwall Police Public Information Officer Aaron McGrew, after Royse City resident Alphonso Olivo Jr., 30, posted a $50,000 bond and was released from the Rockwall County jail, he was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

No details about the incident have been released since police do not comment on open investigations.

By J.J. Smith

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Brittany Barnhill

ROCKWALL – Rockwall single mother and family violence victim Brittany Barnhill first met her abuser, Nick Welch, at a mutual friend’s party in Garland in December, 2012.

At first they were just friends. Her father was his grandfather’s dentist and they had a few Rockwall connections. What started as a casual friendship then became a relationship.

“At first it was a fantasy,” she said. “He was fun, loving, generous and fun. He swept me off my feet.”

As time went on, she said, he began emotional and mental abuse.

“He gradually became controlling but I wrote it off. Looked the other way. I had never been in an abusive relationship. I began questioning my sanity. I thought I was crazy. Eventually but slowly it became physical. Once the physical abuse began, it became an absolute nightmare. Bad to worse and fast. The last assault July 2, 2013, was clear and apparent I wasn’t crazy.”

“After I got in touch with his ex and found out he had done the same to her but worse to me – scared as I was that he’d kill me – I had to go to the police,” she said.

That was July 7, 2013.

Two weeks later, with the help of Rockwall County Assistant District Attorney Damita Sangermano, District Court Judge Bret Hall issued a protection order.

In August, after Welch was indicted by a Rockwall grand jury for sexual assault, he was arrested by Rockwall Police and spent five days in jail. He then pled guilty to a third degree felony of family violence and was sentenced to four years probation last February by Judge Hall. He now lives in Dallas and has not bothered her since.

“Not a word from him since the order of protection was put in place by Judge Hall two weeks after the assault,” she said.

Brittany will be telling her complete story Jan. 22, 7 pm, at a family violence prevention meeting hosted by Americans Ending Abuse and the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation in hopes of assisting  other victims to get the help they need.

Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper will also discuss what’s fueling the local increase in family violence and answer questions. Information will be provided to show area residents how to protect their family members from domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse and sexual abuse crimes. Law enforcement officers are also expected to attend and help answer questions.

The meeting will be held at the Gonino Center For Healing, 6720 Horizon Rd. in Heath, behind Baylor. It is requested that you RSVP to info@americansendingabuse.org or call J.J. Smith, 214-317-1718.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – Serious family violence crimes are increasing across fast-growing Rockwall County and the time has come to start raising funds to build the County’s own women’s shelter and children’s advocacy center to aid victims.

That’s what Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper told over 40 area citizens, government officials, agency leaders and volunteers at the monthly family violence prevention meeting sponsored by Americans Ending Abuse and the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation Jan. 22 at the Gonino Center For Health.

She added that felony assaults have tripled during the past year and, although she did not yet know how many were family violence related, she did know the County has seen four family violence deaths in recent years.

She explained Heath freshman Surie Baeza was killed by her mother’s ex-boyfriend in 2012. Jessica Aguilar, the mother of three children, was gunned down by her ex-boyfriend at The Harbor in 2013. Last year a Royse City man just released from the Navy attempted to kill his wife and then committed suicide. The District Attorney’s office is currently prosecuting a mother who is accused of killing her young daughter.

Culpepper introduced new Rockwall County family violence prosecutor Kerri New, who was hired recently thanks to an $80,000 grant the District Attorney reqested from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and $11,000 from the County budget. She explained that Rockwall Police have designated Detective Laurie Burks to serve as its family violence officer.

A second speaker was Rockwall single mom Brittany Barnhill, who described her recent domestic violence experience, after the man she met through friends and started dating became physically abusive. She said she’d never experienced such abuse before and, after obtaining a protection order, also reported him to police. He was convicted of family violence, sentenced to two years probation and has not contacted her since.

Representatives attended the meeting from the Rockwall Police Department, Heath Public Safety Department, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office, Women In Need Women’s Shelter, Lone Star CASA, the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County and Poiema Foundation, which aids human trafficking victims.

The next meeting – open to the public – will be Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 pm, at the Gonino Center For Health.

Volunteers are needed by Americans Ending Abuse and the Lillian Smith Foundation to aid family violence victims and help bring abuse crimes to an end across Rockwall County, DFW and Texas. The non-profits are expanding nationwide and founder J.J. Smith said to think of them similar to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) but for family violence crimes.

For info, call 469-351-2209 or email: info@americansendingabuse.org.

By J.J. Smith

The post DA Culpepper: Felony assaults have tripled; women’s shelter, CAC needed soon appeared first on The Rockwall News.

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Brian Ferry

TUCSON AZ – Tucson cold case detectives arrested a man yesterday for the 2002 murder of the brother of Rockwall resident and Garland police officer Curtis Russell.

Brian Ferry, 44, was booked into the Pima County Jail on two counts of first degree murder, charged with killing Charles Russell, 58, and Catherine Nelson, 42, after the Phoenix couple drove to Tucson to buy a motorcycle and then disappeared Feb. 2. A missing persons report was filed in Phoenix after the couple did not show up for work Feb. 6. Their truck was found abandoned in a church parking lot the next day.

Over the past five years, new leads were developed and Tucson Police re-opened the case, leading to Ferry’s arrest. Detectives determined foul play was involved, but had no leads and the incident was cleared as an unsolved missing persons case.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the case to call 88-CRIME.

Officer Russell has worked for Garland Police for nearly 14 years and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division. He told The Rockwall News he is now focused on closure for his 94-year-old father.

“As the years passed since the incident, closure seemed out of the question,” said Officer Russell. “When I received a call two weeks ago stating an active murder case was open, and should have been since the beginning, I felt that the closure was near. As I received the call midday Wednesday Jan. 28th stating an arrest was made, closure has begun. I am not mad, per se, at the P.O.S. who committed the act, I am more focused on closure for my 94-year-old father.”

Officer Russell and his wife, Kim, have lived in Rockwall for 15 years. They are also the owners of CMR Boys Racing, and spend many hours helping their two sons to drag race with slot cars and in junior dragsters. Their oldest son, Carson, 11, has won over $1,000 and numerous trophies at North Texas drag race venues during his four seasons of racing. This will be the first year for Collin, 7, to race junior dragsters.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper said Saturday that initial efforts by community groups to reduce family violence crimes and aid victims across Rockwall County are already gaining support.

She explained that after she stated that Rockwall County needs to start planning and fundraising for a women’s shelter and children’s advocacy center at the Jan. 29 monthly family violence prevention meeting hosted by Americans Ending Abuse, and an article was published about her statement in The Rockwall News, she’s received a number of calls from people interested in helping. Over 40 people attended the meeting, representing most all local agencies which deal with family violence.

“Since mentioning my intent to move forward with creating a Children’s Advocacy Center in Rockwall, I have received a number of calls from people interested in helping,” she said. “I am really encouraged that it is generating such excitement in the community!”

She added that Rockwall County currently uses the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center for child neglect/abuse cases. A project of the Junior League of Collin County, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County opened its doors in 1992 and since then has served more than 50,000 abused and neglected children.

Children’s Advocacy Centers make it possible for an alleged neglected/abused child to only have to tell his or her story one time in a recorded interview with a trained Children’s Advocacy Center professional, rather than having to explain the story numerous times. Under one roof are housed law enforcement, child protective services, therapists, caseworkers, interns, nurses and volunteers. Representatives from the District Attorney’s office typically attend interviews, as well.

The centers are also used to train professionals about child abuse intervention and prevention.

The next monthly family violence prevention meeting hosted by Americans Ending Abuse and it’s charitable arm, the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, will be Feb. 26, 7 pm, at the Gonino Center For Healing in Heath. The focus will be upon preventing/ ending child abuse across Rockwall County and aiding the victims.

The public is welcome to attend. Call J.J. Smith for info, 214-317-1718.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), the majority of child neglect/abuse is committed by young parents without good role models to follow in raising children. About two-thirds of child maltreatment cases are classified as neglect, frequently caused by parents abusing illegal drugs. Over 80 percent of abused children are under age six. Over 90 percent of child sexual assaults are committed by family members and close family friends whom the child typically knows and trusts.

There has been considerable success reducing child abuse using such programs as the Nurse Parent Partnership.

By J.J. Smith

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ROWLETT – A 12-year-old female sixth-grade student, who was a student at Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary School in Rowlett, committed suicide yesterday.

Rowlett Police confirmed the suicide this morning and are investigating further. No other details were released.

The Rockwall ISD school is located at 5107 Scenic Dr. in Rockwall County, near Lake Pointe Medical Center.

Multiple reports from parents of Rockwall ISD students have also been received.

According to parents, the girl has an older sister who attends Rockwall High School and younger brother.

Leaders of the Hanna4Hope Foundation, Tim and Raina Clark, have offered their condolences to the family and offered their help to the school.

Their daughter, Hanna Clark, was a Rockwall High School freshman student who committed suicide in 2013. Their stated mission is to educate families and community leaders on the possible signs of suicide and provide a variety of resources for parents, teens, and community organizations to reduce suicide’s devastating effects on the lives of youth, their families, friends, and loved ones.

“We are available as a foundation to the family to provide any source of encouragement,” said Raina Clark. “Anything we can do, we will be there for the family. Hanna4Hope would also like to reach out to the school and provide any type of resource we can. This breaks our hearts. We will continue to pray for the family.”

There were three student suicides in the Rockwall area in 2013 and another unsolved death last year of a Heath 12-year-old Amy Parks Elementary School student ruled “undetermined” by the Heath Public Safety Department.

By J.J. Smith

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Photo placed on Tim Conatser’s Facebook page

UNION VALLEY – Volunteer firefighter Tim Conatser has resigned from the Union Valley Fire Department after he allegedly posted a photo on Facebook Tuesday of two dead dogs lying on the ice, suggesting he had killed them for trespassing on his property.

Union Valley is about halfway between Rockwall and Quinlan on Hwy. 276.

“Somebody didn’t put any truth my warning,” the caption on the photo read. “Keep your damn dogs on your property.”

The Union Valley Fire Department confirmed one of its volunteers was responsible for the photo.

“We do not condone the recent actions of one of our firefighters. We are following our policy in removing him from our department,” the department said it a statement.

The dogs’ owner, Pulido Rodrigo, told Fox4 News he was in shock after learning on Facebook what happened to Gordo, the black lab, and Spike, the yellow lab.

“I’m in shock! I don’t know, I don’t understand these people. Bad people, I don’t know,” said Rodrigo.

He said he never received any warning or complaints from anyone about the dogs being a problem.

Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said Precinct 4 Constable Terry Jones is conducting an investigation into the incident, with the help of the SPCA of Texas.

The investigation is focusing on whether the man who shot the dogs had the right to do so. The law said there must be a reasonable threat to a person or livestock to shoot.

By J.J. Smith

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Photo placed on Tim Conatser’s Facebook page

The post Animal cruelty charges filed against former firefighter who may have shot dogs appeared first on The Rockwall News.

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ROCKWALL – There were 95 confirmed child neglect/abuse victims in Rockwall County last year, compared with 84 in 2013, according to Texas Family and Protective Services Data & Statistics (CPS).

The statistics were provided by Rockwall-based Americans Ending Abuse and its charitable arm, the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation.

Over 75 percent of the 24,243 confirmed child abuse/neglect victims statewide in 2014 were under the age of nine, among all races. Most maltreatment occurred between the ages of 3-5 (23%), followed closely by ages 4-6 (20%).

Just over half were girls.

Almost half of the confirmed cases were classified as “Physical Abuse” (47%), followed by “Neglect” (28%), “Sexual Abuse” (23%) and “Emotional Abuse” (2%).

These statistics are not broken down per county, but some are.

There were 305 completed CPS investigations in Rockwall County in 2014, compared with 283 in 2013.

There were 26,244 children in Rockwall County in 2014, up from 25,692 in 2013.

There were also 21 abused/neglected children in foster care in Rockwall County in 2014 and 26 in 2013.

CPS defines child abuse and neglect in the following manner:

“It’s any mistreatment of a child that results in harm or injury. There are four basic types of child abuse though children often experience more than one kind of abuse:

Physical abuse includes actions such as beating, burning, or punching a child.

Emotional abuse may involve criticizing, insulting, rejecting, or withholding love from a child.

Sexual abuse includes rape, touching or fondling, or involving a child in pornography.

Neglect includes failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, medical, or emotional needs. Leaving a young child home alone or failing to provide needed medical care may also be considered neglect.”

On CPS’s HelpandHope.org website, the following information is provided:

• Find Help
• Recognizing Abuse and Neglect
• Signs of Abuse
• Are You At Risk?

If you even suspect abuse or neglect, the law requires you to report it, either online (which is the fastest way) at www.txabusehotline.org, or by calling 1-800-252-5400 (there could be an hour or longer wait).

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – Rockwall mother Heidy Guillen has been charged by Rockwall police with Capital Murder of her two-year-old daughter, Jade Guillen, who died from injuries Nov. 22, 2014.

She was charged Jan. 23, 2015, according to Rockwall County Judicial Records. No bond had been set as of that date.

Rockwall police responded to a 911 call Nov. 20 to the 300 block of Eva Place at about 8:18 am where they said they found the little girl having an apparent seizure.

Medical responders rushed the child to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas where hospital staff placed her on life support systems.

Guillen was arrested Nov. 21 by Rockwall Police for Forgery Government/National Inst/Money/Security and Immigration Hold.

She remains in Rockwall County jail.

By J.J. Smith

The post Rockwall mother charged with Capital Murder of 2 yr old daughter appeared first on The Rockwall News.