New Nolan County Jail and Sheriff’s Office; ready to occupy in the next 4 to 6 weeks

April 16, 2015 |   |  General

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office and Jail has been overcrowded since January 2000. For over 15 years, Nolan County has had to house a portion of our inmates out in other counties. The current jail, located inside the Nolan County Courthouse, has many other deficiencies as well that have affected its compliance with standards and rules promulgated by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Finally in 2012 the Nolan County Commissioner’s Court purchased land and began preparing to build a new Jail and Sheriff’s Offices.

The issue of a new Nolan County Jail and Sheriff’s Office was voted on as two separate propositions in a bond election held as part of the general election in November 2012. Both issues passed with approval of the voters of Nolan County. Construction of the new facility began on September 30, 2013. While originally due to be completed October 31, 2014, the new Nolan County Jail and Sheriff’s Office will be now be ready to occupy in the next 4 to 6 weeks, or around June 1, 2015.

I want to personally thank the citizens of Nolan County for allowing us the privilege of having a nice new building. We will soon be able to house all of our Nolan County prisoners in our own new jail under one roof. This will save the taxpayers of Nolan County about $12,000.00 per month. I want to also express my appreciation for the patience the public has shown in getting this project finally brought to completion. The delays have been frustrating, but we are finally nearing the end of the construction phase.

We will be holding an open house once everything is completely done and we will announce that date as soon as it is narrowed down. Our new address at that time will be 211 Avenger Field Road, Sweetwater, Texas 79556. The new facility is located 3.5 miles west of the existing Nolan County Courthouse out on Loop 170 or Avenger Field Road.

Gratefully,
David Warren
Nolan County Sheriff

High speed chase ends with suspect in custody

April 15, 2015 |   |  Community Awareness

raneyJust after 5:30 this afternoon, a Nolan County Sheriff’s Deputy along with the Nolan County Constable found themselves engaged in a high-speed chase after attempting to pull over a vehicle in the area of Alexander Street. The vehicle was occupied by a 32 year old fugitive, who’s been hiding to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Joshua James Raney, a repeat offender, who has compiled several arrests in Nolan County, has now racked-up a first degree felony charge as a result of the pursuit. Several deputies joined the high speed pursuit through Sweetwater. The lengthy pursuit came to an end near Orange Street after the fugitive fled on foot from the vehicle, leaving a passenger behind. Raney was later located hiding under a porch, after being pointed out by good Samaritans, and taken into custody. Raney is now in the custody of the Nolan County Sheriff.

Theft (Maryneal)

April 14, 2015 |   |  Crime Stoppers

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a trailer-mounted Miller welding machine that was taken from the Buzzi Unicem Cement plant in Maryneal. It was reported that an unknown person(s) entered the property and took the welding machine sometime after 2:30PM on Monday, April 13, 2015. The welding machine was described as being blue in color and secured to a trailer.

If you have information regarding this crime or any other unsolved crime, and wish to remain anonymous, call Nolan County Crime Stoppers at 325.235.TIPS (8477) or click here to submit a tip online. Nolan County Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to the arrest and filing of charges against the person responsible for this crime, and a reward of up to $1,000.00 for any other unsolved felony crime. Remember, Crime Stoppers wants your INFORMATION not your name.

Nolan County’s Most Wanted Fugitive

April 8, 2015 |   |  2 Comments  |  Fugitives and Warrants

raney, joshua jamesJOSHUA “JOSH” JAMES RANEY
Date of Birth: December 14, 1982
Height: 5’9”, Weight: 170lbs, Hair: Brown, Eyes: Hazel

Investigators with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office and the Sweetwater Police Department are actively searching for a 32 year old fugitive, who’s been hiding to avoid detection by law enforcement. Joshua James Raney, a repeat offender who has compiled several arrests in Nolan County, is now wanted on outstanding warrant #11798 that was issued out of the 32nd Judicial District Court on February 19, 2015, for the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Raney has reported to be unemployed, and was last known to be living at 311 Patterson in Sweetwater; Raney is known to use a bicycle for transportation.

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office values and recognizes the need for public assistance in tracking fugitives. If you have information on the whereabouts or activities of Joshua “Josh” James Raney, you are encouraged to contact the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office at 325.235.5471, or Crime Stoppers at 325.235.TIPS (8477), you may also submit a tip online; all information will remain confidential. Nolan County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of this fugitive.

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking qualified, professional and career minded candidates.

February 6, 2015 |   |  General

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking qualified, professional and career minded candidates for the position of County Jailer in the Nolan County Jail. All candidates must be of excellent moral character, and of good physical and mental condition.

Primary duties include the day‑to‑day application of plans and operating procedures that are required by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and the Sheriff’s Office for the care, custody and control of inmates confined in the Nolan County jail.

Starting Salary: $36,998.88 per year plus benefits (Include; health, dental, and life insurance, retirement, vacation/sick leave)

Join our team, click here to download an application today!

Burglary of Building (Sweetwater)

January 22, 2015 |   |  Crime Stoppers

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office and Texas State Technical College Police are investigating a burglary that occurred on the TSTC campus, located in the 300 block of Homer K. Taylor Drive, in Sweetwater. It was reported that sometime between December 17, 2014 and January 15, 2015, an unknown person(s) entered the welding center. Once inside, the thieve(s) took four (4) welding machines, and two (2) pipe beveling devices. The combined value of the property taken is estimated at approximately $11,300.00.

If you have information regarding this crime or any other unsolved crime, and wish to remain anonymous, call Nolan County Crime Stoppers at 325.235.TIPS (8477) or click here to submit a tip online. Nolan County Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to the arrest and filing of charges against the person responsible for this crime, and a reward of up to $1,000.00 for any other unsolved felony crime. Remember, Crime Stoppers wants your INFORMATION not your name.