Tyler County News

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By Chris Edwards
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BarredaWOODVILLE – An arrest was made of a suspect in a church burglary, and could face additional charges in several other incidents, according to Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford.

Juan Gabriel Barreda, a 47-year-old Houston man, was arrested in Houston on Dec. 30, 2022, by the Houston Police Department, after warrants were obtained for his arrest thanks to information from an anonymous tipster, who filed the information with the regional Crime Stoppers. Barreda was transported to Woodville, to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, last week, where he was charged with Burglary of a Building.

Weatherford said that after investigators submitted surveillance footage from a robbery at Fellowship Church, which occurred on Oct. 30 of last year, to the Lufkin Crime Stoppers for assistance in obtaining a lead, the information came in shortly after, which led investigators to Barreda.

“With evidence and information collected, investigators were able to obtain search warrants that verified Barreda was in the area on the morning of the burglary, as well as other burglaries in neighboring counties,” Weatherford said.

TCSO investigators worked with law enforcement agencies in Southeast and Central Texas, as well as Louisiana, which were also able to obtain warrants on the suspect.

On the day of the Fellowship Church burglary, Dogwood Hills Baptist Church and the Pentecostals of Woodville, were also hit.

The description for the surveillance video, which was shared by Crime Stoppers, referred to the incident as a “Hell-bound burglary,” and noted that thousands of dollars in cash, debit cards, guitars and electronics, were stolen.

Weatherford said Barreda could face additional charges as the investigators continue to gather more information and evidence. He said that the anonymous tipster was successfully paid by Crime Stoppers, and that TCSO encourages residents to submit tips on suspects, wanted individuals and unreported crimes.

Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Trisher Ford set Barreda’s bond at $20,000. Barreda remains in custody.

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By Chris Edwards
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IVANHOE – A warrant service call last week resulted in two arrests in Ivanhoe, according to Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford.

Weatherford said that on Tuesday, Jan. 3, deputies with the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office stopped at a residence in order to serve a felony warrant on Jason James Abernathy, age 41, on two warrants for felony manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and one felony possession of a controlled substance/failure to appear warrant out of Jasper County.

Weatherford said the deputies found and arrested Abernathy, and identified another individual, 42-year-old Brian Demond Bean, of Woodville, inside the residence where they made the arrest. The deputies observed a large amount of a crystal-like substance sitting on a table that field-tested positive for methamphetamines, Weatherford said. There were also other substances present, which were identified as crack cocaine and synthetic marijuana.

Bean was arrested, and both subjects were taken to the Tyler County Jail. In addition to Abernathy’s warrants, he was given two charges for felony possession of a controlled substance (meth, 27 grams) and another felony possession charge for the crack (four grams). Bean was also charged with the two possession charges.

Weatherford said that additional marijuana charges will be filed, pending lab results from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

District Judge Delinda Gibbs-Walker set a no-bond on Abernathy, and Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Trisher Ford set Bean’s bonds at $70,000. Both men remain in custody.

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January 16 is Martin Luther King, Jr. day and celebrations were held all over Southeast Texas to recognize the great man's legacy.

Here's a photo from the MLK day parade held annually in Woodville, Tx. (Jiim Powers/TCB Photo)

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (R-Woodville) issued the following statement after swearing into the 118th Congress last week: “This week, we saw democracy hard at work, and I believe we all move forward stronger because of it,” said Babin.

“The compromises made on the House floor will empower us as individual members to fight the Democrats’ woke ideology that is destroying the country.

“It is clear that we are firm in our beliefs, cling to what’s right, and lead by action rather than mere words. With the unwavering determination to protect our constitutional principles, we will make certain our government remains of, by, and for the people to the very end.

“Our nation is truly the greatest in the world, with unmatched opportunity and attainable success for all willing to work for it. As Americans, we are among the few who have tasted true freedom and know it’s always worth fighting for.

“I have once again sworn my oath and am ready to fight tirelessly to ensure you are free, safe, and have every tool necessary to prosper. Now, let’s get to work!”