Everything Nac

Jason Bridges Pct 4

     The Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 is reporting that crime statistics for burglaries and thefts are down in the rural areas of precinct 4. Constable Bridges stated that since 2010 we have seen a decrease in these crimes, and this year we have seen a large decrease in those crimes since 2009.

     Constable Bridges stated that his office investigated 87 burglaries and thefts in the rural parts of precinct 4 in 2009. In 2010 that number dropped to 63 cases which show a decrease of 24 percent. In 2011 the Constable Office has investigated 47 burglaries and thefts which have shown a decrease of 46 percent in crime since 2009.

     Constable Bridges attributes the crime decrease to the proactive ness of the constable office. I certainly feel that our approach to the methamphetamine problem in precinct 4 is showing positive results. Bridges stated that the constable office has served over 50 search warrants since 2009 and most of those have been for methamphetamine. Since 2009 the constable office has filed over 200 felony arrest with the district attorney office.

     A lot of those cases of have resulted in prison terms, while many of those people have also left the county or been placed on probation. Bridges stated that we know most crimes that are committed are drug related. This contributes to a large majority of our burglaries and thefts that we have in the County.

     Constable Bridges also believes that the large percentage of crimes that his office has cleared has also paid a significant role in the decrease. Bridges stated that our office was able to clear three major thefts rings that occurred in precinct 4 area this year that has resulted in over 15 local arrests.

     Bridges stated the calls for his office has increased slightly and attributes that to the ailing economy. The constable Office has responded to over 1500 calls for service this year alone. We are dealing with more civil matters than we have in the past as well as other minor crimes. Bridges stated that even though the calls for service have increased, we are very pleased to see that the burglaries and thefts for our precinct are down and are down significantly.

     Bridges said that all citizens should more careful during the holiday seasons as crime has tendency to increase during the month of December. We always see an increase in robberies and burglaries this time of year. We ask our citizens to be more cautious about there surroundings and to always take preventive steps against crime.

     Today the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office detained a large group of illegal aliens that were traveling through Nacogdoches County in a Chrysler Minivan. At approximately 3:30 this afternoon deputies Kenneth King and Steven Molanders spotted 11 people traveling northbound on U. S. 59 in the 7 seat capacity Minivan and stopped the vehicle for traffic violations, including several “No Seatbelt” violations. Upon contacting the occupants, it was determined that none of the 11 occupants of the vehicle were legally in the United States. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials were notified and federal detainers were placed on all 11 individuals. The individuals were very hungry and thirsty, reporting that they had not eaten since their journey through Texas began, but, otherwise, they all appeared to be in good physical condition.

     Interviews conducted with the occupants helped us determine that most of the detainees had originally come from the countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The individuals were believed to have traveled into Mexico from Guatemala, then through the interior of Mexico to the Texas/Mexican border where they were smuggled into Texas along with a larger group of illegal aliens. A group of ten individuals were assigned a driver (also an illegal alien) and all 11 people then crowded into the Chrysler Minivan and began traveling northbound through Texas.

     According to some members of the group, they were initially attempting to reach Texarkana where they would further disburse. At least some members of the group claimed to have been attempting to reach New York.

     All 11 individuals will be detained overnight in the Nacogdoches County Jail until ICE can arrange for transport to a federal holding facility. State Human Trafficking charges are being considered against the driver but have not been filed at this time since we are still working with federal authorities to determine the most efficient way to deal with this matter.

     My officers did a very good job of recognizing the situation they had encountered and I am proud of them for their actions and efforts. This type of discovery helps remind us that we in East Texas are not exempted from the large scale Illegal Immigration/Human Trafficking issues that our country and state faces. Nor are we isolated from the Homeland Security concerns that stems from this type of human smuggling operation. Obviously, if these individuals could arrive in Nacogdoches County, Texas from foreign countries other than Mexico in this number, so could international terrorists.

Sheriff Thomas Kerss
Nacogdoches County, Texas

Jason Bridges Pct 4

     The Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 has made another arrest into an ongoing investigation into methamphetamine distributors in Nacogdoches County.

     Constable Bridges stated that his office has had an ongoing operation to identify and target methamphetamine distributors. During the last month the Constable Office has seized three active methamphetamine laboratories in Nacogdoches County that has resulted in four felony arrest as a result of those investigations.

     During the course of the investigation our office was able to identify a female that we believe has been selling methamphetamine from her residence in central heights. The residence is located about 500 feet from the school district, so this was certainly a high value target that we needed to shut down.

     Bridges stated that his office was assisted by the Nacogdoches County Constable Office PCT 1. Deputies arrived at the residence Tuesday evening and received permission to search the residence. Deputies found Lisa Lintz in possession of more than a gram of methamphetamine and found more drugs inside the residence. Bridges stated that a search of the residence revealed digital scales, plastic baggies being used to package and distribute methamphetamine along with other drug paraphernalia.

     Lisa Lintz 46 years of age from Central Heights was arrested at the scene for possession of Methamphetamine a 3rd Felony. Constable Bridges stated that the charges may be enhanced due to Lintz was within a 1000 feet of a school zone.