Jasper County Sheriff's Report

Jasper County Sheriff’s Report

4-22-25

Our dispatchers were recognized daily for their service during National Dispatchers Week last week. They received gifts from many of the local fire departments as well. A huge thank you to everyone who made this week special for our dispatchers. We could not do our jobs without them.

On April 15, 2025, Matt Hopson was selected as JCSO’s Employee of the Month for March. Transport Deputy Hopson is a nine-year veteran of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Hopson consistently goes above and beyond what’s expected of him. He often works long hours and travels throughout the United States either going to pick up Jasper County prisoners or dropping them off to agencies across the country.

On April 15, 2025, we got a report of the theft of a deer feeder on Gist Road. One of the suspects, Michael Hetzel, 50, of Vidor was arrested at his job and taken to the Jasper County Jail where he was charged with Theft and Criminal Trespass. Thank you to the citizens of Jasper County for all of your help in locating Mr. Hetzel. Thank you to our JCSO investigators for their hard work! You don’t want our crew looking for you!!!!

On April 15, 2025, Emergency Service District # 1 treated the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office employees to lunch. Many thanks to Dr. Steve Hyden and Secretary/Treasurer, Billy Ted Smith, for helping us celebrate our phenomenal dispatchers this past week. We appreciate Judge Mark Allen and his staff for joining us. The meal was delicious and all of our employees enjoyed it.

On April 15, 2025, Fabio “Buster” Lacap was arrested in Buna on a warrant for Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member (MA).

On April 16, 2025, a Jasper County Deputy was dispatched to Hwy 62 south of Buna in reference to an animal complaint. The caller, Kolton Smith, 33, of Buna, was walking his dog and found a young wild hog. Mr. Smith demanded that the Sheriff’s Office do their job and do something with this pig. Upon arrival, the deputy performed his duties and learned Mr. Smith had an active warrant for Resist Arrest/Search Transport, Class A misdemeanor, from Jefferson County. Mr. Smith was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail. The pig was free to leave.

On April 16, 2025, I had an opportunity to talk with the graduating class of Jasper High School about making good decisions as well as what is going on at the Sheriff’s Office. I appreciate them having me and the staff for putting this together. Also, a big thank you to JCSO Sergeant Cody Christopher for his presentation to the class.

On April 16, 2025, the second deer feeder theft suspect, Cheryle Denise Nelson, 45, of Vidor, was arrested for taking deer feeders that did not belong to her. She was charged with theft and criminal trespass and brought to the Jasper County Jail.

On April 16, 2025, Jasper Xxon provided lunch for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office employees in celebration of National Dispatchers Week. They brought brisket, links, potato salad, and all the fixings. Everyone enjoyed it. Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department provided a delicious, humongous cake. Thank you for supporting our dispatchers.

On April 16, 2025, I along with Chief Pulliam and Major Crowell attended the East Texas Peace Officer’s Association Annual Fish Fry in San Augustine. I serve on the Board of Directors for this organization and it’s always nice being able to collaborate with law-enforcement agencies across East Texas.

On April 17, 2025, the final suspect, Paul Joseph LaGrone, 47, of Vidor, was arrested for a Criminal Trespass warrant regarding the deer feeder theft case in south Jasper County. Hopefully, all three of the suspects have learned a valuable lesson about being on other people’s property without their permission and taking things that don’t belong to them in our county.

On April 17, 2025, Sergeant Chris Wade was on routine patrol on High Truitt Road in Jasper, when he observed a female behaving erratically. Sergeant Wade made the determination that the woman was intoxicated on some type of narcotic and attempted to place her under arrest for public intoxication. She resisted and a brief struggle ensued. Sergeant Wade was able to place her in custody and upon searching her person, she was found to be in possession of methamphetamines. She was identified as Felicia Renee Simmons, 44, of Jasper, and was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance (SJF), resisting arrest (MA) and public intoxication (MC). She was placed in the Jasper County Jail.

On April 17, 2025, Sergeant Chris Wade was dispatched to CR 314 in Brookeland for a trespassing and theft in progress. The suspect had left the scene and taken a President Trump insulated drinking cup from the porch of the residence. She was located walking on Hwy 96. Sergeant Wade made contact with the suspect, Sarah Moore, 34, of Village Mills, Texas. She was wanted by Jasper County for Motion to Revoke Probation for Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility and Bail jumping for Criminal Trespass. She was placed under arrest and booked in on the warrants, Class C Theft of Property and a Class C Criminal Trespass.

On April 17,2025, a Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to 220 CR 351 in Jasper regarding a person making threats towards the complainant’s 15 year old child. The deputy spoke to multiple witnesses who stated their neighbor was under the influence and had threatened to kill the 15 year old child multiple times, The suspect, identified as Jesse Howard, 35, of Jasper, was under the influence of methamphetamines and unable to explain what had taken place other than that he yelled at the child to stay on his own property. After an investigation, Howard was placed into custody for Terroristic threat, a Class B Misdemeanor. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

On April 18, 2025, a Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the 38000 block of Hwy 96 South in Buna regarding an armed trespasser. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that the complainant confronted the suspect for trespassing. The suspect, Jamie Lee Brooks, 59, of Buna, then pointed a shotgun at the complainant in a threatening manner and walked away. Brooks was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a second-degree felony, and placed in the Jasper County Jail.

On April 18, 2025, there was a major traffic accident approximately 4 miles south of Buna on Hwy 96 involving two vehicles. There were numerous emergency vehicles on scene and DPS is in charge of the crash investigation. There were two fatalities resulting from the crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died.

On April 19, 2025, Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard and I participated in the Magnolia Festival Parade. It was great seeing so many happy kiddos and there were some cool floats too. I would like to thank the Magnolia Festival Committee for allowing us to be a part of the parade. Thanks to Jasper County Commissioner Willie Stark for the use of his ride. Also, a big shout out to all of our law-enforcement officers for traffic control and our Jasper County Jail trustees for all the work they did to help with the festival.

On April 20, 2025, the Jasper County Cowboy Church provided Easter lunch to all of our Jasper County Jail inmates. It was great and our inmates enjoyed it. I was able to eat lunch with them on Easter. A big shout out to Walmart for donating briskets so the inmates would have a great Easter dinner. Any time food is donated to our inmate population, it helps to take the financial burden off of our county taxpayers.

On April 21, 2025, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 200 block of Audrey St. in Brookeland regarding a possible burglary. The deputy arrived, started clearing the structure, and heard what he knew to be someone fleeing through the wooded area from his location. The deputy began searching and encountered Justin Elton Key, 39, of Brookeland. Key charged toward the deputy in an aggressive manner screaming at him that he was going to shoot him in the head. The deputy stopped Key and took him into custody without incident. Key later threatened to kill the primary deputy and assisting deputy numerous times. Key was arrested for Terroristic Threat Against a Peace Officer/Judge, a State Jail Felony, and transported to the Jasper County Jail. The burglary investigation continues.

All persons listed in this report are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

It is an honor to be the Sheriff of Jasper County. I want to thank the people of Jasper County for giving me this opportunity. We are really trying to work hard for the people of our county. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you need us.

Respectfully,

Chuck Havard

Jasper County Sheriff