Jasper County Sheriff’s Report - 11/18/2025

November 11th, 2025, we had a great morning in Evadale at the annual Fish Fry put on by Mr. Glen Conner with G&S Fish Market. This is an annual event for the people of Southeast Texas to celebrate our veterans, first responders and county employees. Thank you to Mr. Conner and all of the men and women who volunteered for this event. Mr. Conner’s generosity is greatly appreciated. The food was awesome and the fellowship was just as good. There were 6 East Texas Sheriffs in attendance today.

Also on November 11th, 2025, myself, Chief Pulliam and Major Crowell traveled to Jasper and conducted our second school security meeting this year with all Jasper County School officials. Each school district superintendent or their representative was present, along with TEA and other county officials. We discussed the operations of our Sheriff’s Office and progress that has been made since our first meeting. Our biggest priority and main objective is to keep our school campuses and students safe at all times. Our school partnerships are invaluable and we are grateful to work with the best school administrators in Texas.

On November 13th, 2025, Jasper County S.O. Investigator Calvin Starkie arrested Susanna Mendoza, 26, of Jasper. The arrest stems from an investigation that was initiated several days ago where it is alleged that this 26-year-old female was sending nude photos and vulgar text messages to a 12 year old male (the male has since turned 13) in an attempt to sexually entice the juvenile. Fortunately, due to the awareness of the child’s parents, they contacted us and an investigation was started immediately. Mendoza was charged with Solicitation of a Minor, Second Degree Felony. She was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On November 14, 2025, Deputy Noel with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to north of Kirbyville in reference to a disturbance. Once the deputy arrived, he made contact with the complainant who advised that Jared Odom, 33, of Kirbyville, came to the residence and began a disturbance. When Odom was leaving the residence, Odom intentionally struck the victim’s truck with his vehicle causing damage. A Kirbyville Police Department officer observed Odom’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Damage matching the claim was observed on the truck and Odom was placed under arrest for Criminal Mischief, Class A misdemeanor. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On November 14th, 2025, Sheriff Chuck Havard was southbound on SH -62 near Business 96 in Buna when he observed a man operating a bicycle headed northbound on SH-62. I made a U-turn in an attempt to have a consensual police/citizen encounter to find out what the man was doing. Once the bicyclist saw me making a U-turn, the bicyclist also made a U-turn and we both pulled into a parking lot at the same time. (The man wasn’t stopped, nor was he required to answer any questions). Upon exiting my vehicle to speak with the man, Sheriff Havard observed a black bag hanging off of the shoulder of the man. The bag had a clear pocket affixed to it and I observed what he knew to be a meth pipe inside the bag. I immediately arrested the man. During the search of his person, a black case was found in his left trouser front pocket containing a clear, off-white substance believed to be methamphetamines. The man was identified as Jerry James Melancon, 49, of Buna. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-State Jail Felony.

On November 17th, 2025, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with serving four arrest warrants in the murder case of Newton County resident Joshua Larkin. Mr. Larkin went missing three years ago yesterday. Our agencies have worked hundreds of hours on this case along with the Newton County District Courtney Pontier and Jasper County District Attorney Anne Pickle. The following individuals were served with arrest warrants:

*Justin Taylor James (murder, tampering with evidence/corpse). James is currently in TDCJ.

*James Alex Jones (tampering with evidence/corpse). James was arrested in Kirbyville by the Newton County S.O. and Jasper County S.O.

*Jonathan Cody Bierhalter (murder, tampering with evidence/corpse). He was arrested in Houston by NCSO and HPD.

*Rodney Allen Blankenship (tampering with evidence). Blankenship is currently in TDCJ.

We believe more individuals have information pertaining to this case and we are asking them to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office or the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. I would like to thank everyone involved in this case for their hard work, especially JCSO Investigators Calvin Starkie and David Lampman for their unwavering commitment and dedication to this case.

On November 17th, 2025, Deputy Gray was notified by JCSO Communications that Billy Jean Cloud, 51, of Brookeland was a wanted individual from Lee County for Theft of Property >$300k (1st degree Felony). Deputy Gray arrived at Cloud's residence located in Brookeland and placed him under arrest without incident. Cloud was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

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

It is a privilege and honor to be the Sheriff of Jasper County. As always, call us if you need us.

Respectfully,

Chuck Havard

Jasper County Sheriff