Jasper County Sheriff’s Report - 10/21/2025

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office unveiled new uniforms this past week. We have been collaborating with uniform vendors since January 1st, 2025, and we are thrilled to finally wear our new uniforms, badges, and shoulder badges. We are waiting on leather gear and holsters for our new weapons. Everything was purchased with prisoner reimbursement funds and a weapon seizure account.

The Texas Jail Commission arrived this morning to conduct an annual jail inspection. We are confident that we will do well. We have made so many needed updates to the jail and will continue to do so in the future as funds allow.

Our September Employee of the Month is Major Steve Crowell. He is a smart, down-to-earth man with excellent management skills; his decision-making abilities and people skills are second to none. Major Crowell retired from DPS after almost 30 years of service and then had a very successful career with Skeeter Boats. He left his job with Skeeter to come to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and serve the citizens of Jasper County. Major Crowell worked many months prior to us taking office without any compensation, helping get our staff together and continues to work 60-80 hours a week without pay or complaint. He is directly responsible for all operations of our Sheriff’s Office. He holds all our employees accountable and provides them with every opportunity of success. I, Chief Pulliam and our entire staff are grateful for him and his dedication to the people of our county and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office!

Our new Training Sergeant is Sergeant Chris Wade who has been with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office for 3 years, serving as a deputy and patrol sergeant. He was the Police Chief at Zavalla PD for 5 years and has served in law enforcement for a total of 17 years. Sergeant Wade brings experience in providing training to deputies and cadets as well as managing day-to-day operations of a law enforcement agency. He has also worked with sex offender registration in the past and will continue to do so in his new position. He is an asset to The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and to the citizens of our county.

On October 15th, 2025, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office received information that James Mark Herrin, 62, of Kirbyville had a warrant for his arrest for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Felony 2). KPD Officer Ashley Arce and I went to his residence, located Herrin, and arrested him. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On October 14th, 2025, I was contacted by Brookeland ISD officials regarding a theft of a utility vehicle, tools and other items that had occurred at the Brookeland ISD Maintenance Shop. Investigator Calvin Starkie was assigned to the case and identified the suspect quickly. He was also able to tie the suspect to several other thefts and burglaries. On October 17th, 2025, Investigator Starkie received information regarding the location of the stolen utility vehicle. He, along with Texas Game Warden Brooks Yeates, Jasper PD Detective Robert Twine and other JCSO investigators traveled to a residence in Magnolia Springs and recovered the utility vehicle. Investigator Starkie arrested Dustin Harry Jackson, 33, and James Ryan Smith, 25, both of Brookeland for Theft (State Jail Felony). Additionally, Smith was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony 3) and Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor B). Both individuals were transported to the Jasper County Jail. More charges could be pending as the investigation continues. The utility vehicle was returned to Brookeland ISD.

On October 16th, 2025, I had lunch with members of Beech Grove Baptist Church. I discussed all the things we are trying to accomplish at the sheriff’s office. We had a great meal and fellowship.

This past week, deputies received 4 hours of mandatory training to familiarize themselves with their new weapons, a Glock, Model 45, 9mm handgun. The training consisted of both classroom instruction and skills proficiency testing at the shooting range. One of my primary duties and responsibilities as a Sheriff to our employees is to ensure our personnel receive the most up-to-date and advanced training. It is imperative that we train our personnel so that their decision-making skills, tactical judgment and weapon marksmanship is second to none. We will constantly train so that our deputies make appropriate split-second decisions and make it home at the end of their shifts.

On October 17th, 2025, Deputies Harrell and Hoke were dispatched to the Buna area in reference to a trespasser. The subject, Joshua Champaign, 38, of Silsbee, was located on a county road. Upon making contact, deputies had probable cause that Champaign was intoxicated so he was placed under arrest. During the inventory of the vehicle, multiple narcotics were found as well as two handguns. Champaign was transported to the Jasper County Jail and charged with Driving While Intoxicated >.15 (Misdemeanor A), Possession of a Controlled Substance PG2<1G (State Jail Felony), and Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon (Misdemeanor).

On October 18th, 2025, Jasper County sheriff’s Deputies Gray, Roy, Morgan, Kaylor, and Kirbyville Police Officer Lilly responded to a call in reference to a physical disturbance with shots being fired in Kirbyville. Upon arrival Azion Mahathay, 21, and his brother Brayden Mahathay, 19, both of Kirbyville, were actively fighting in the front yard. Both subjects admitted to firing shots into the air and pointing the firearms at each other. The brothers were placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon/Family/Household Member (Felony 1) and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On October 19th, 2025, deputies Gray and Morgan responded to call on CR 786 regarding shots fired. While deputies were investigating, they observed Paul James Taucer, 38, of Buna, driving down CR 786. Taucer stopped at the scene. Deputy Gray inquired if Taucer had observed anything suspicious. During this consensual encounter, Taucer stated he had drugs on him. Deputies located a substance believed to be Methamphetamines on Taucer and placed him under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony 3) and transported him to the Jasper County Jail.

On October 20th, 2025, Jasper County Sheriff Lieutenant Chad Ainsworth and K9 Rhino assisted a Jasper PD officer who needed a K9 sniff. The Jasper police officer was conducting a traffic stop and suspected the driver might be concealing narcotics. The driver denied a consent to search the vehicle, so the officer called for a K9. Lieutenant Ainsworth deployed Rhino to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. K9 Rhino alerted to the presence of narcotics odor emitting from the vehicle. A probable cause search was done. During the search, the JPD officer found 6.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The driver, Mitchell Knight, 54, of Jasper, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1>4G<200G (Felony 2). Way to go Rhino!

On October 20th, 2025, deputies Hoke and Harrell responded to a call in Buna regarding a subject beating on the doors of the Buna ISD Administration Building. It had been reported by multiple callers that Chicorean Dill, 42, of Buna, had also been walking down the middle of the highway yelling and cursing. Upon arrival, deputies Harrell and Hoke made contact with Dill who was in the turning lane of Hwy 62 by this time. They observed Dill talking to himself, screaming loudly, flailing his arms and sweating profusely. Due to the training and experience of the deputies, they knew that Dill who was in a public place, was a danger to himself and others due to intoxication. Dill was arrested for Public Intoxication (Misdemeanor C) and taken to the Jasper County Jail.

All subjects listed in this report are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

I can’t thank the people of Jasper County enough for placing their faith and confidence in me and electing me. It is truly an honor and privilege to be the Sheriff of Jasper County.

Respectfully,

Chuck Havard

Jasper County Sheriff