Jasper County Sheriff's Report

Jasper County Sheriff’s Report

5-20-25

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office recognized and honored men and women for all their hard work and sacrifices made for the citizens of our county and across the United States for National Police Week. Their work never stops and we are proud of the incredible job they do.

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Lt. Chad Ainsworth responded to a call in Evadale regarding a possibly intoxicated person. William Floyd Smith, 60, of Evadale, openly admitted that he was in possession of contraband. After a search of his person was done, methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia were found. Smith was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance PG>=1G<4G (Felony 3). He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

On May 13, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Reaud Excellence in Education Award Ceremony at Lamar University in Beaumont. One of our Jasper County teachers, Miss Denise Robinson of Buna, was awarded the prestigious Reaud Excellence Award. Miss Robinson teaches kindergarten at Buna Elementary School. Congratulations and a big thank you to all of Jasper County teachers for the job you do!!!

On May 13, 2025, while Jasper County Deputy Matt Harrell attended a function at Buna High School, he made two arrests. Deputy Harrell witnessed a female assault another female so he intervened and placed Joanna Michelle Wilson, 34, of Buna under arrest for Assault Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor). While securing Wilson, another disturbance broke out. Deputy Harrell again attempted to intervene and Samantha Artie Bohler, 34, of Buna, interfered. Bohler was arrested for Interfering with the Duties of a Public Servant (Class B Misdemeanor). Both were taken to the Jasper County Jail. This type of conduct is uncalled for and completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Dannie Carlos Hancock, 61, of Buna, turned himself in to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of Indecency with a Child-Sexual Contact (Felony 2). The Sheriff’s Office began investigating this allegation in March of 2025.

On May 14, 2025, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office announced our partnership with Goodwill to provide workplace training and assistance to Jasper County Jail inmates. Our inmates will be educated in skills needed to find a job and will progress to other life skills training. According to Goodwill, this is the first time they have partnered with any East Texas Sheriff’s Office and I’m glad they chose us. I really feel like this will have an immediate impact on our inmates from our custody. I’d like to thank Goodwill and look forward to starting this program next month in our jail.

On May 14, 2025, we announced our Employee of the Month for April. This month Communications Operator Tommie Meyers was selected. She began her career with Newton County Sheriff’s Office in June 2019 as a Telecommunicator and Jailer coming to Jasper County in February 2022. She holds an Advanced Telecommunicator’s license, Basic Jailer’s license and has over 500 TCOLE hours. She has two children. She’s very efficient, remains calm in the most stressful situations and gets our deputies where they need to be.

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, a Jasper County Sheriff’s deputy was deployed to the Jasper County Courthouse regarding a wanted person. The deputy arrested Matthew Wade Grogan, 28, of Jasper on an Indecency with a Child-Exposes (Felony 3) warrant out of Orange County. Grogan was taken to the Jasper County Jail, arraigned, and transported to the Orange County Jail.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, JCSO Administrative Assistant, Kim Boutin, completed a two-day public information training. The lawyers who hosted the Texas Public Information Act seminar shared helpful information regarding what exactly public information is, what information is releasable to the public as well as when and to whom the information can be released. The lawyers also gave information for contacting the Attorney General’s office when the requested information is questionable. The administrative assistants at the JCSO receive several requests each day for public information.

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Jasper County Sergeant Cody Christopher was dispatched to a disturbance on the side of the road on Highway 63 near the Double Heart RV Park. During an investigation at the scene, Sgt. Christopher discovered Jared Brantley, 47, of Lumberton, had approximately 11.5 grams of methamphetamine. He was placed under arrest. Afterward, Sgt. Christopher tried to obtain information in reference to the disturbance from Tracy Turner, 42, of Burkeville. She refused to cooperate to the point that a struggle ensued. Eventually, Sergeant Christopher had to stun her twice with his Taser to secure her. Turner was placed under arrest for Resisting Arrest, Search, and/or Transport (MA). Brantley was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1>=4G,200G (F2). Both were transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On May 17, 2025, Chicorean “Chico” Dill, 42, of Buna, was arrested on numerous charges. Jasper County Deputy Willis was dispatched to a residence on CR 725 in reference to Criminal Trespass. While the deputy was in route, dispatchers heard Dill make threats of violence to the complainants. Upon arrival, Dill resisted arrest so the deputy deployed his Taser with positive effect and Dill was placed under arrest. Dill was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital for evaluation and released. Dill was charged with Criminal Trespass (MB), Terroristic Threat (MB), and Resist Arrest Search Transport (MA). He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

On Monday, May 19, 2025, the JCSO received information regarding a burglary in progress in Kirbyville on CR 400. Deputies were relatively close and prior to arriving at the burglary location, they encountered the burglary suspect, Brandal Burks, 38, of Kirbyville. Deputies witnessed Burks discarding suspected methamphetamines from his front left shorts pocket. Burks was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance (SJF) and Tampering with Evidence (F3). The burglary is still under investigation.

Late last week, JSCO K9 Leroy was ill during a deployment. His handler, Lt. Chad Ainsworth took him to Main Street Veterinary Clinic in Lumberton, who has provided his health services for the last six years. After his exam on Friday, K9 Leroy was rushed into emergency surgery for gastric torsion (twisted stomach).

During the surgery, Dr. Cade Ford also found that Leroy’s intestine had wrapped around his spleen nearly cutting it in half. Thanks to the awesome job of Dr. Ford and his amazing team, Leroy is back home and on the mend. Lt. Ainsworth, Jasper County, and I would like to say a special thank you to Main Street Veterinary Clinic and owner Dr. Jenna Hunter for their continued support and care of K9 Leroy. Without their support, having a successful K9 unit would not be possible. Leroy should be back on duty in two weeks for the people of Jasper County.

Please note that all persons listed in this report are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

It is an honor to be the Sheriff of Jasper County. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you need us.

Respectfully,

Chuck Havard

Jasper County Sheriff