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News Drug suspect held on 100K
bond
Monitor Staff Reports
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Local law enforcement reports a number of
arrests in several incidents involving drugs, where the suspects
were held on bonds between $75,000 and $100,000 each.
After securing a search warrant on a suspected drug lab in
Trinidad Tuesday, Henderson County narcotics officers charged
two men with third-degree possession of a controlled substance
and second-degree felony for possessing chemicals with intent to
manufacture a controlled substance.
Fannie Street resident Johnnie Parks, 46, was found hiding in
some bushes on his property, along with Jubal Foster in an area
where the chemicals were also located.
Both Parks and Foster were transported to the Henderson County
Detention Center with bonds set at $75,000.
Foster was also wanted on a parole violation and is being held
without bond.
Investigators found apparatus and precursors in the process of
making methamphetamine, along with a quantity of finished
methamphetamine.
According to a press release, evidence at the scene led officers
to believe that the property had been used on several previous
occasions as a drug lab.
Later that evening during a traffic stop on Farm-to-Market 315
near the entrance of Sportsman’s Paradise subdivision, officers
located over 4 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamines.
The driver, Scott Davis, 44, of Tyler was taken into custody.
The first-degree felony offence is punishable with five to 99
years confinement and a fine of no more than $10,000.
Davis’ bond was set at $100,000. He remained in custody
Thursday.
Canine officer “Benny” and his handler Kenny Collard assisted in
the investigation.
On April 20, officers in Payne Springs arrested Eric Ray
Franklin, 29, after observing several people visit with him at
his car while parked in the Countryside Store and Exxon station
on State Highway 198.
He is being held on bonds totaling $105,000 in the Henderson
County jail.
While monitoring traffic speeds at the intersection of SH 198
and Whispering Oaks, police chief Lupe Garza saw a blue Dodge
Durango headed north on SH 198 and recognized the driver as
Franklin, whose driver’s license had recently been suspended.
Garza moved his cruiser into closer proximity of the Countryside
Exxon parking lot, where Franklin had pulled in next to a blue
Lexus.
According to Garza, the Lexus driver exited his vehicle and
entered the passenger side door and sat down in the Durango.
After a short period of time, a woman approached the driver’s
window and then returned to her car at the gas pumps. Then
another man walked over to Franklin’s window and then walked
away.
While Garza and a fellow officer were observing the activity, a
car that was recently at the gas pumps pulled up to the police
cruiser, reporting that he saw a drug deal go down with the guy
in the blue Durango.
Garza then moved his cruiser to block Franklin’s departure from
the parking lot.
Upon making contact with Franklin, still seated in his car,
Garza saw $40 in cash in his right hand and a large amount of
empty small plastic bags in plain view on the arm rest, and on
the center console in plain view, a clear glass pipe with black
residue, commonly used in smoking methamphetamine.
Franklin could not produce the proof of financial liability
(insurance) Garza requested and with slurred speech Franklin
said his driver’s license had been suspended.
A pat down of Franklin, located a wad of money in his back
pocket, totaling $626.
An inventory of the Durango located five small plastic bags with
methamphetamine in several forms totaling 8.1 grams. Also found
were three bags of marijuana total weight, .179 ounces, and a
Xanax pill in another small bag. A metric scale was also
located.
Franklin’s passenger was identified as Lukas McKee, 20. Neither
he, nor the Lexus he drove contained any controlled substances.
Police found only cigarette wrapping papers and a few marijuana
seeds in the front center console. Lukas was released and issued
a citation for drug paraphernalia.
Franklin was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance
more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams, Manufacture and
Delivery of Controlled Substances, Delivery of Marijuana and a
citation for driving with license suspended.
Utility seeks bids on work trucks
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
TOOL–West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District board directors
gave the general manager the green light to seek the best buy on
a couple of work trucks.
“We’ve put this off and put this off and can’t put it off any
longer,” general manager Tony Ciardo told them April 23, during
a regular monthly board meeting.
Though the district has been happy with the dependability of its
Ford diesel trucks with the International engines, new EPA
emissions rules has caused Ford to change its engine, it was
noted.
“The new ones with emissions systems, increases maintenance
costs. These EPA rules have impacted every single diesel,” David
Lewis noted.
Ciardo said he’d seek bids from not just Ford, Chevy, Dodge and
GMC but also Volvo and BMW.
Ciardo said he’s looking for trucks with slightly more tonnage
than previously to pull the tractors the utility often requires.
“We’re looking for a ton- and-a-half to two-ton trucks, the
F-450 and F-550, cab chassis and utility beds only,” Ciardo
clarified.
During an update on the request from Kemp concerning connection
to the District’s potable water system, Ciardo said he’s anxious
to begin work.
“We’re just waiting on the paperwork to be finalized,” he said.
“It’s my understanding from Charles Fenner that the grant is
pre-approved,” he said. No action was taken.
Work on expanding the Tolosa Water Plant with a second clarifier
was expected to start this week, Ciardo reported.
The Tool plant refurbishment has been completed and board
members were encouraged to tour the upgraded facility with its
redesigned and built underdrain backwash system.
Ciardo express his desire to install backup generators,
especially at the Tolosa Plant, along with a one-day supply of
diesel fuel.
Recently, Ciardo noted the frequency of power interruptions in
the Seven Points/Tolosa area. “An automatic switch would be
ideal, though we do have personnel there (Tolosa) and we have a
good (electrical) phase monitor there,” he said. |
