Newton County Sheriff's Report

November 24, 2025

Let’s keep the family of former Newton County Sheriff Billy Rowles in our thoughts and prayers, as they mourn the loss of his beloved wife, Jamie Rowles. We were honored to help with the funeral escort. Sunday morning, we had a man from Vidor running around Bleakwood, knocking on people’s doors. Callers reported he was highly intoxicated, and he was. He went to jail for Public Intoxication and as I am writing this report, deputies are currently responding to the same man in Deweyville knocking on doors, once again, intoxicated. Without a doubt, he will be headed back to jail.

It has been all hands on deck around the Sheriff’s Office this week. Saturday night, we were able to successfully raid a dog fighting operation in Call. We want to thank all agencies that assisted us in making this operation successful and injury free. I appreciate all of the jail staff from both Newton and Jasper County, who had their weekend interrupted by getting called in to work to help book everyone into jail. Most of the individuals arrested were from various parts of Texas and Louisiana. In full transparency, I contacted our area inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards Sunday morning to let them know we had 54 people in a 14-man jail. I assured them we were working on finding housing arrangements until they could bond out. Thankfully, we were able to get back into compliance with the jail commission. We are in the process of seizing all assets relating to this crime and have them awarded to Newton County.

Last week, we answered 66 calls for service and booked 54 individuals into the Newton County Jail.

We currently have 27 inmates housed in the following facilities: 10 in Jasper, 7 in Beauregard Parish, and 10 in the Newton County Jail.

I hope everyone has a great week!

— Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard