Jasper County Sheriff’s Report 1/27/2026

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of our law-enforcement, fire departments, first responders, electrical linemen and other essential personnel who have been out in the cold weather serving our county. We appreciate the sacrifices you and your families have made and will be making over the next several days. Additionally, we found out that bad weather doesn’t stop crime and bad weather doesn’t stop our deputies from protecting and serving! Our deputies have made several arrests today and are standing ready to respond to the needs of our citizens. I want to sincerely thank our employees for the job they are doing.

The reward for information leading to the remains of Josh Larkin has been increased to $15,000.00. Larkin has been missing since November 17th, 2022. There have been four individuals arrested and charged regarding this case, but searches have not yielded Larkin’s remains. We are extremely committed to finding Josh’s body. We also believe there are individuals in this community who have information regarding the location of Josh’s remains. Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard added, “This reward is a significant amount of money and we are hopeful someone will do the right thing and give us the information that gives Josh’s family a little bit of closure”. The reward payment increase has been made possible by Texas EquuSearch, private donors and other stakeholders involved in this case. If you or someone you know has any information regarding this case or the location of Josh‘s remains, please contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at (409) 384-5417 or the Newton County Sheriff’s Office at (409) 379-3636.

I, along with several JCSO staff members, had a great morning at the Kirbyville Elementary School Career Day on January 23rd, 2026. It was great talking to the students about the Sheriff’s Office and the role of Law Enforcement. These kiddos were very inquisitive and enthusiastic. Days like today fill us with hope for the future. We enjoyed it! We appreciate the leadership and teachers at Kirbyville Independent School District and thank them for having us.

On January 19th, 2026, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Deputy Daniel Hoke of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on County Road 82 in reference to terroristic threats. The complainant reported via multiple 911 text messages that her boyfriend, Jarrod Kelley, was making delusional statements, believed she was a robot, and threatened to harm her, causing her to fear for her life. Upon arrival, Kelley displayed erratic behavior and made similar delusional remarks toward the deputy. Complainant stated Kelley had been using narcotics and alcohol and had not slept for several days. Based on the victim’s statements, Kelley's threats, and his observed behavior, probable cause was established, and Kelley was arrested for Terroristic Threat – Assault Family Violence and transported to the Jasper County Jail without incident.

On 01/20/2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Chief Larry Pulliam was informed Joseph Dewayne Arnold, 62, of Jasper was at the Adult Probation Office in Jasper, with an active warrant for Motion to Revoke Community Supervision (Felony). Chief Pulliam confirmed the warrant and transported Arnold to Jasper County Jail.

On January 20th, 2026, at approximately 1 p.m., Deputies Harrell and Gray were on patrol in the 2600 block of U.S. 96 near Call. Deputy Harrell observed Briar Brister, 21, of Buna, standing in a driveway. Deputy Harrell knew Brister to be a fugitive from justice but by the time the deputies could stop, Brister had run into the woods. The deputies entered the woods and called out to Brister by name while announcing themselves. Brister then ran out of the woods, evading the deputies on foot and attempted to get into a truck that was leaving the property. Deputies Harrell and Gray were able to take Brister into custody without further incident. Brister was brought to the Jasper County Jail on 2 warrants, MTRP Theft of Firearm- SJF and MTRP Possession of a Controlled Substance-SJF. Brister was also charged with Evading Arrest or Detention- Class A Misdemeanor.

On January 21st, 2026, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Justin Charles Eddins, 47, of Jasper, turned himself in to authorities at the Jasper County Jail. Eddins was charged with False Statement to Obtain Property/Credit $30,000 to $150,000 (F3), Harvesting Standing Timber $20,000 to $100,000 (F3), and Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair (F3). Eddins bonds totaled $100,000 which was posted by his Attorney Bill Morian of the Morian and Kahla Law Firm. This investigation is being conducted by the Texas Rangers and all inquiries should be directed to their office at (936) 699-7340.

On January 21st, 2026, a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a theft of a wedding ring from a residence on Daily Street in Jasper. During the course of the investigation, it was found that Elana Sheffield, 45, of Brookeland had been at the residence and the ring was found to be missing shortly thereafter. It was discovered that Sheffield had pawned the ring at a local pawn shop. A warrant was obtained for Sheffield and she was arrested and booked into the Jasper County Jail on January 22, 2026.

On January 25th, 2026, at approximately 9:00 am, Deputy Gray responded to 1498 FM 3414 for a possible burglary that had just occurred. During the investigation, Deputy Gray located a generator in plain view in the backseat of a suspect vehicle that got stuck in the front yard as it attempted to leave. The victim confirmed the generator was his property and it was appropriated from inside his home without his consent. The suspect was identified as Jason Lane Baldwin, 28, of Jasper. He was located next door by Deputy Gray at his sister's residence and arrested on view for Burglary of Habitation (2nd degree Felony) after he confirmed he did in fact take the generator and place it in the rear seat of his vehicle. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On January 25th, 2026, at approximately 1 p.m., Deputy Harrell was dispatched to Pine Street in Buna regarding a trespasser. Deputy Harrell confirmed prior to his arrival that the suspect had previously been trespassed from the location. Upon arrival, Deputy Harrell found Alvis Edmonds, 47, of Buna, inside of the home refusing to leave. In front of Deputy Harrell, the property owner demanded Edmonds leave several times, but he refused to do so and was placed under arrest for Criminal Trespass. Due to the Declaration of Disaster that Jasper County was currently under, the charge was enhanced from a Class A Misdemeanor to a State Jail Felony. While attempting to secure Edmonds into the patrol car, he resisted resulting in an additional charge of Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transportation - Class A Misdemeanor. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On January 25th, 2026, at approximately 4:50 PM, I received a call on my cell phone regarding a suspicious vehicle. Deputy Shannon Davis Jr. was deployed to the area and located the vehicle. He conducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler 200 at CR 54 and PR 335 at the old Letney boat ramp/Harveytown area for a traffic violation. The occupants, Trista Frazier, 41, of Newton and Richard Kirkland, 45, of Jasper, displayed nervous behavior and consented to searches, which revealed glass pipes commonly used to consume methamphetamine. A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle located methamphetamine and additional drug paraphernalia inside the dashboard; the substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Both subjects stated they were in the area planning to walk around the lake despite sub-freezing temperatures. Kirkland claimed ownership of the narcotics and was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1, (F3) and Frazier was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (MC).

Everyone listed in this report is innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

We are here for you and your families, 24/7. It is a privilege and honor to represent the people of this county.

Respectfully,

Chuck Havard

Jasper County Sheriff