The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the following information regarding a possible reward for information on abducted 7-year-old Aja Johnson and her kidnapper, Lester William Hobbs. Mr. Hobbs is also suspected of murdering Aja’s mother, according to the press release. An Amber Alert was originally released for the girl, however it was discontinued because no additional leads were being received.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr012910.pdf

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On November 10, 2009 at approximately 10:46, Kaufman County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call in reference to two bodies that had been discovered in a bar ditch on County Road 280, just off of County Road 987 in Kaufman County area known as Post Oak Bend. A resident was out jogging with her dogs, and she noticed that the dogs were showing interest in something in the ditch. She looked into the ditch and discovered two bodies in the water.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they did discover the bodies of a white female approximately 30 years of age, and a white female child with the approximate age of 10.

Kaufman County Sheriffs Crimes against Persons investigators have identified the victims as Fionna K Olander, age 30 and her daughter Korry N Threadgill both of Addison Texas. Cause of death is pending the results of autopsy and toxicology results.

Kaufman County Sheriffs Office Crimes Against Persons investigators have apprehended Martin McKee age 37, of Farmers Branch Texas. Mr. McKee is being held in the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center without bond, where he is charged with Capital Murder.

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A rash of burglaries that has spanned the last several months has been resolved. On October 23, 2009 Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes investigators received a call from the Terrell Police Department, stating they were in pursuit of a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle driven by a suspect reported to be involved in numerous burglaries in the northeast part of Kaufman County.

Apprehended was Ronald Chase Jr. age 42, of Terrell, Texas. Mr. Chase was charged at that time with evading and resisting arrest and was transported to the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center. After further questioning of Mr. Chase by Kaufman County Property Crimes investigators, Mr. Chase admitted to eleven different burglaries.

An estimated $25,500.00 in stolen property has been recovered and the rightful owners have all been contacted. Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the witnesses for the valuable information that was provided, and the Terrell Police Department for their unending cooperation and collaboration.
Mr. Chase is currently being held in the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center with bond set at $321,500.00.

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A German Shepherd rescue group called Camp Wolfgang , in Ennis, Texas is closing down because of family issues on 31 October. I don’t have any additional details, other than they are closing their doors.

All the dogs are vetted, spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, well cared-for and many have had training.

They have nearly 200 dogs that must find a foster or be adopted before 31 October or they will have no choice but to euthanize them all.

If you cannot help by fostering or adopting…YOU CAN STILL HELP!!!

Please forward this information to everyone you know…if we all forward this to everyone we know, chances are good that many of these dogs can be saved!

They do not need or want donations, they simply MUST place all of the dogs.

Adoption fees are $75.00, free to verifiable rescue groups.

Current dogs: (approximate)
120 German Shepherds
2 Akitas
1 Anatolian/Great Pyrenees
4 Purebred Rottweiler
1 Great Dane/Lab
1 Boxer/Mastiff
1 St. Bernard/Akita
1 WolfDog
45 Other mixed breeds

Time is of the essence!!

If you know anyone who can adopt, accept a dog into their rescue, or help in any way, contact Neisha Livengood, Kennel Master at Camp Wolfgang .

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On September 15, 2009, Matthew Brandon Peters, age 29, and his wife, Karie Ann Peters, age 38 of Hutchins, Texas were arrested and charged with Forgery of a Financial Instrument. Both suspects were found to be staying in a Days Inn Motel in Mesquite Texas. The couple is being held in the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center, with bond set at $85,000.00 for Mr. Peters, and bond for Mrs. Peters set at $75,000.00. Mr. Peters also showed to have an outstanding warrant out of Upshur County as well.

On September 14, 2009, Cory Nicole Marble, age 21, of Wills Point, Texas was arrested and charged with Forgery of a Financial Instrument. Ms. Marble is being held in the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center with bond set at $1500.00.

The forgery ring spanned more than five counties, from North East Texas to the Central Texas area. Two more suspects have been arrested by Kilgore Police Department. The ring had a sophisticated set up, that included a counterfeit check operation using stolen checks from area businesses, as well as individuals. The suspects used stolen identifications to cash checks at an assortment of businesses and local area banks.

The case is still under investigation, and more charges are expected to be filed.

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AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott offers the following information about Kenneth Mosley, who is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Mosley was convicted and sentenced to die in Texas state court for the murder of Garland police officer Michael David Moore.

FACTS OF THE CRIME

On February 15, 1997, Mosley entered a Bank One, where one of the tellers, recognized Mosley from a previous robbery at the bank. The teller informed her manager who walked out to see Mosley and recognized him from tapes of the other robbery. The manager returned to her office, pushed the alarm button, and called the bank security department and 9-1-1.

The bank manager met uniformed Officer David Moore outside the bank and described Mosley to him.

Several witnesses watched as Officer Moore approached Mosley and said, “I would like to speak with you.” Mosley and Officer Moore began to struggle when Mosley refused to keep his hands still. Mosley then pulled a gun from underneath his shirt. Several shots rang out and Officer Moore shoved Mosley through a nearby window. They fell to the ground into one of the drive-through lanes. A witness from across the street saw Mosley pause to look around, point a gun at Officer Moore and shoot him.

Mosley began to walk away from the bank but was spotted by a second officer who ordered Mosley to stop, drop the gun, and get on the ground. Mosley turned as if to shoot. The officer shot Mosley once in the wrist, and Mosley dropped the gun. Mosley then complied with the officer’s directive to get on the ground.

Paramedics arrived at the scene within minutes, but Officer Moore had no visible signs of life. He had been shot five times.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On March 18, 1997, a Dallas County grand jury indicted Mosley for capital murder in Officer Moore’s death. Mosley was tried in the 283rd Dallas County District Court. On October 14, 1997, the jury found Mosley guilty of capital murder, and following a separate sentencing hearing, Mosley was sentenced to death.

Mosley appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which affirmed the conviction and sentence on May 10, 2000. Mosley filed a motion for rehearing, which was granted. On rehearing, the court withdrew a portion of its opinion and substituted another opinion issued on June 25, 2003, which reaffirmed all points of error. The remainder of the original opinion was left intact. Mosley then filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, which was denied on February 23, 2004.

Concurrent with his direct appeal, Mosley filed an application for writ of habeas corpus in the trial court on July 17, 2000. The trial court filed findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that Mosley be denied relief, and the Court of Criminal Appeals adopted those findings and conclusions, with a few noted exceptions, and denied habeas relief on July 2, 2003.

Mosley filed a federal habeas petition in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, on February 22, 2005. On July 23, 2007, a magistrate recommended that Mosley’s petition be denied. The federal district court adopted that recommendation and denied Mosley habeas relief on March 6, 2008. Mosley then sought permission to appeal from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, but the appellate court denied Mosley permission on December 23, 2008. Mosley filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court on April 23, 2009, and a motion for stay of execution on June 29, 2009. Both the petition and the motion for stay are currently pending before the Court. On Sept. 3, 2009, Mosley filed a clemency petition, seeking a commutation of his death sentence. Alternatively, he seeks a 180-day reprieve to “pursue additional evidence of his mental impairment.”

During the trial’s punishment phase, the State presented evidence that Mosley had raped a woman but had not been convicted for it. The State also introduced evidence of prior robberies and thefts committed by Mosley, including a previous robbery of the same bank where Officer Moore’s murder occurred. Further, the State presented evidence that Mosley was disruptive in jail and threatened jailers, specifically saying on one occasion that “it would make my day to kill another cop.”

MISCELLANEOUS

For additional information and statistics, please go to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website, www.tdcj.state.tx.us.

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Kaufman County, Texas – In the early hours of August 30, 2009 Kaufman County Sheriffs deputies responded to a report of a shooting at the 1500 block of 2nd St in the Beautiful Acres Community of Kaufman County.

Witnesses say what started out to be just a few friends hanging out, turned into a party with unwelcome guests. According to witnesses the suspect Kevin Lamont Whitmore was asked to leave, and became combative, and a fight ensued. Three male victims were shot, during the altercation. All were transported to area hospitals. Two victims were treated and released, with one victim still recovering in a local hospital.

Mr. Whitmore was taken into custody, and charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Bond is set at $100,000.00

The incident remains under investigation, and further charges could be pending.

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The couple was arrested on charges of cruelty to animals.

On August 11, 2009 Kaufman County Sheriffs investigators, aided by the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake, served an evidentiary search warrant, as well as a seizure warrant at the Boyds’ kennel. Over 550 dogs and several cats were confiscated and put under the care and control of the Humane Society of the United States.

The Boyds each face a charge of cruelty to animals, which is considered a Class A Misdemeanor. The charge carries a fine of up to $4,000.00, with up to one year in jail, or both.

Margaret Boyd and James Boyd were arrested without incident.

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A Kaufman county jury sentenced a Dallas man to 30 years in prison Tuesday afternoon on an evading arrest with an automobile charge. The jury made a deadly weapon finding on the vehicle used in the chase, thus Curtis Heath will serve aggravated time and not be eligible for parole for 15 years. Heath pled guilty and let the jury decide his punishment.

The State presented testimony about the car chase, which occurred in the early morning hours of April 1 of this year. The chase started on Highway 175 in Kaufman, went to Crandall, and came back to Kaufman before KSO deputies put out tire spikes to blow out the tires of the car. After a short foot chase, Heath was apprehended.

Prosecutor Brandi Fernandez also presented evidence that Heath had stabbed his girlfriend and one-year-old baby that same night in Dallas. Those aggravated assault charges are pending in Dallas County. The jury also learned Heath had been to prison two times before for aggravated assault and burglary of a habitation.

Public Defender Andrew Jordan argued the jury should not make a deadly weapon finding against his client. Mrs. Fernandez argued it was appropriate based on the facts.

“The State offered a minimum prison sentence plea bargain so Heath could be shipped to Dallas for the aggravated assault charges pending there, but they rejected it and said they wanted a trial,” said Mrs. Fernandez.

The case was tried before Judge Mike Chitty in the 422nd District Court.

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Story and Photos by Judy Griffin, Forney Messenger

On Tuesday morning, August 11, the Greater Kaufman Rotary Club and the city of Kaufman dedicated a bench in the Kaufman City Courtyard in memory of former Kaufman resident Sr. Cpl. Norman Smith, a Dallas police officer who was killed in the line of duty early this year.

Cpl. Smith, a member of the Dallas Police Department’s gang unit, was killed while serving a warrant at a drug den in east Oak Cliff January 6, 2009.

The Colors were posted at the beginning of the dedication ceremony and retired at its close by members of the Kaufman Police Department and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department.

Representatives of the Dallas Police Department were in attendance, as was State Rep. Betty Brown (R-Terrell).

The invocation was given by Dr. Philip Chacka of the Kaufman Rotary Club, which sponsored the dedication ceremony. The welcome was given by Mayor William Fortner of the city of Kaufman. Master of Ceremonies was James Kendall, president of the Kaufman Rotary Club.

Remarks were given by Michael Holder, Kaufman Chief of Police. Remarks were also offered by Cpl. Smith’s widow, Regina, and his mother, Carolyn Long of Kaufman. Both ladies thanked the city of Kaufman and the Dallas Police Department for their support throughout their difficult time of loss. The two women also thanked the Kaufman Police Department, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department, the Kaufman Rotary Club, and everyone else who had a part in the construction and dedication of the bench.

The bench was dedicated by Kaufman Rotary Club president James Kendall.

The dedication ceremony was closed by Taps, which was played by Don Harrell before the Colors were retired.

Lt. Regina Smith is a member of the Dallas Police Department. Cpl. Smith’s mother, Carolyn Long, was accompanied by her husband, Dana Michael Long.

Cpl. Smith, a native of Britain, came to the U. S. as a child. He graduated from Kaufman High School in 1983. He was a deputy in the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department for several years and a member of the Marine Corps for four years. He was a member of the Dallas Police Department for 18 years to the day of his death.

Cpl. Smith and his wife had lived in Forney for four years up to the time of Smith’s death, and Lt. Smith still lives here.

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