Booking photo courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office; suspect Billy Jean Cloud arrested in Brookeland on Lee County felony warrant. A Brookeland man was taken into custody on a felony warrant Monday evening. At approximately 5:29 p.m. on November 17, 2025, Deputy Gray of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office received word from JCSO Communications that Billy Jean Cloud, 51, was wanted by Lee County authorities on a first-degree felony charge of Theft of Property valued over $

The Jasper County Commissioners Court met for a brief Special Session on Monday, November 17, 2025, tackling a focused agenda that included law-enforcement funding adjustments, upcoming grant opportunities, election matters, and county road concerns. Sheriff’s Office Budget Amendment Approved Commissioners opened the session by reviewing a request from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office to modify its current budget. The department sought approval to move roughly $73,000 in Se

Photos of the four men charged in connection with the disappearance of Joshua Larkin were displayed at Monday’s joint press conference in Newton. Photo by East Texas Banner Newton, Texas — In a major development announced Monday afternoon, law enforcement officials from Newton and Jasper counties confirmed the arrests of four individuals in connection to the disappearance of Joshua Ian Larkin, who was last seen exactly three years ago today on November 17, 2022. During a join

Robert Richardson, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 49 Driving While License Invalid w/ Previous Conviction/Suspension Without Financial Responsibility Arresting Agency: Texas Department of Public Safety at 9:51 PM All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released new information regarding the three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 190, near the Cypress area of Jasper County, on Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025. According to the preliminary investigation, the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. as a Jeep Gladiator and a Kia Niro were traveling westbound and had stopped for a school bus. DPS reports that the driver of a Buick Enclave failed to control her speed, striking the rear of the Kia

Jared Michael Odom, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 33 Criminal Mischief ≥ $750 < $2,500 Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 1:30 AM Warrant/Ref#: 25-01134 Joseph Lee Odom, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 52 Criminal Trespass Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 9:32 AM Warrant/Ref#: FM25-012J3 Steven Dwayne Gilbert, of Jasper, TX – Age 62 Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear (five separate counts) Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 12:53 PM Warr

Photo from Judge Delinda Gibbs-Walker I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my intention to seek re-election to the 1-A Judicial District of Texas. It has been my honor to serve the good citizens of Jasper, Tyler, and Newton counties over the past three terms. I look forward to continuing this work. As a district judge, I am called upon to make tough decisions from time to time, therefore, discernment in this line of work is critical. Please pray with me that G

Jerry James Melancon, 49, of Buna. Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard didn’t have to break a sweat for what he jokingly called the “easiest arrest of his career” Friday afternoon in Buna. Around 2:10 p.m. on November 14, 2025, Sheriff Havard was driving south on SH-62 near Business 96 when he noticed a man pedaling a bicycle northbound. Curious what the bicyclist was up to, Havard turned around to initiate a casual, voluntary c

Chicorean Kareem Dill, of Buna, TX – Age 42 Harassment; Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear (Felony) Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 3:02 AM Monte Joseph Rollan, of Jasper, TX – Age 30 Possession of Marijuana <2oz Arresting Agency: Texas Department of Public Safety at 8:36 AM Charles Dylon Love, of Jasper, TX – Age 28 Violate DL Restriction (Vehicle Devices); Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility; Fail to Yield Right-of-Way (Turning on Red Signal); F

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office JASPER COUNTY, Texas — On November 13, 2025, at approximately 4:26 p.m., Jasper County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Calvin Starkie arrested Susanna Mendoza, 26, of Jasper, following a fast-moving criminal investigation involving allegations of illegal communication with a juvenile. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began several days earlier after the victim’s parents discovered inappropriate messages and n

Kirstin Ashton Wood, of Lufkin, TX – Age 27 Driving While License Invalid w/ Previous Conviction/Suspension Without Financial Responsibility Arresting Agency: Texas Department of Public Safety at 12:50 AM Brandy Nicole Ferguson, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 27 Expired Driver’s License Expired Registration Arresting Agency: Kirbyville Police Department at 3:24 PM Lakerria Tackett, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 17 Possession of Marijuana <2 oz Arresting Agency: Texas Department of Public

The East Texas Banner is proud to announce the winners of the East Texas Teacher Spotlight Giveaway, an initiative created to celebrate exceptional educators across our region. Community members were invited to nominate teachers who go above and beyond in Jasper, Newton, and Tyler Counties. While no Tyler County submissions were received this round, the heartfelt nominations from Jasper and Newton Counties showcased the incredible dedication of local educators. Each winner wi

Eugene Mason, of Buna, TX – Age 64 Terroristic Threat of Family/Household Member Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 6:27 PM Meriam Isabella Young, of Jasper, TX – Age 24 Public Intoxication Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 7:37 PM Teralyn Essiante-Eman Brown, of Jasper, TX – Age 23 Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 8:00 PM

Today, I’d like to take a moment to thank all our military veterans for their service in all branches of the US Armed Forces. It was an honor to attend the 59th annual Veteran’s Day program at Kirbyville High School this morning. These men and women answered the call of duty, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms and uphold the values we hold dear. Their service reminds us that liberty is never free – it is earned through commitment, resilience, and

Jerry-Micheal Norton, of Rusk, TX – Age 27 Harassment Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 6:44 AM Korey Allen Ignac Valka, of Jasper, TX – Age 28 Driving While Intoxicated Arresting Agency: Department of Public Safety at 1:04 PM Bradford Cardale Shaw, of Jasper, TX – Age 45 Burglary of Habitation Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 5:50 PM Clyde W. Coleman, of San Augustine, TX – Age 50 Driving While License Invalid with Previous Conviction/Suspensio

Information as of 11/10/2025 The Jasper County Commissioners Court met in regular session Monday, November 10, 2025, addressing a full slate of law-enforcement, grant, leasing, and infrastructure matters. District Clerk Reports Accepted The meeting opened with District Clerk Rosa Norsworthy, who presented the office’s criminal and civil fee reports. The Court accepted both reports without objection. Sheriff’s Office: Donations, Vehicles, and Overtime Funding Sheriff Chuck Hav

Kendrick Dehaven Kyle, of Jasper, TX – Age 51 Harassment of Public Servant Assault Peace Officer/Judge Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 2:53 PM Tommy Ray Reeves, Jr., of Buna, TX – Age 51 Motion to Revoke Probation Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 4:27 PM Justin Dewayne Havard, of Newton, TX – Age 35 Public Intoxication Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 7:24 PM Joseph Irvin Dougan, of Buna, TX – Age 35 Driving While Intoxicate

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office JASPER, Texas — Jasper County showed up in full force Saturday as the Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual Blue Santa “Fill the Boat” toy drive at Wal-Mart, and the community didn’t just fill the boat— they overflowed it. Throughout the day, families, shoppers, and local employees stopped by to drop off toys of every shape and size. Stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, sports equipment, police-themed toys—if a kid could dream

Marissa Marie Morales, of Call, TX – Age 34 Public Intoxication Minor in Possession of Alcoholic Beverage (7214) Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 2:42 AM Lazerian Ezekiel Wright, of Richmond, VA – Age 23 Possession of Controlled Substance PG 2 <1G Driving While Intoxicated Arresting Agency: Department of Public Safety at 5:46 AM Aubrey Hooker, of Brookeland, TX – Age 41 Public Intoxication Arresting Agency: Jasper Poli

Photo Courtesy of Lake Sam Rayburn Website JASPER COUNTY — A man died Saturday evening after a medical emergency caused him to fall into the water at Umphrey Pavilion on Lake Sam Rayburn. According to Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard, the call came in around 5:11 p.m. on November 8, 2025, reporting a possible drowning. Three Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies happened to be nearby and arrived within eight minutes. Preliminary information indicates the man had been fishing wi