Deputy Arrests Parole Fugitive in Evadale

Gayland Ridings, 60, of Navasota, was arrested in Evadale on an active parole violation warrant. Photo Courtesy of JCSO.

EVADALE, Texas — A Jasper County sheriff’s deputy arrested a parole fugitive Thursday evening after responding to a report of a suspicious person walking along FM 105 just south of Evadale.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the call came in at approximately 6:15 p.m. on August 7. Deputy Walker located the man and identified him as Gayland Ridings, 60, of Navasota.

A records check revealed that Ridings had an active parole violation warrant issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The warrant was confirmed, and Ridings was taken into custody without incident.

He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

Ridings is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Chuck Havard said the arrest reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to combating criminal activity in Jasper County.