NCSO News

In a growing scam reaching people across the big country, phone fraudsters are using the threat of arrest to pressure people into paying hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars, to avoid going to jail.

In the past week, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office received and investigated numerous phone calls from citizens claiming that they were contacted by a member of this office, told that they have an outstanding warrant and that deputies are on the way to arrest them if they refuse to pay the fines. The caller then explains that the “fine” can be paid with a credit or debit card. In some cases, the caller may instruct the victim to buy a certain debit card or send the money via Western Union. What makes this scam seem convincing is that some of the victims reported the telephone number of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office (325) 235-5471 was displayed on their caller ID; others reported a local cellular phone number was displayed.

The Scam Structure

There are three parts to the “signature” of this attack:

1. The victim receives a telephone call with a spoofed caller ID to make it appear to be from a law enforcement agency geographically proximal to the potential victim’s location, in this case the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office or 911, the emergency contact number used in the United States.
2. The victim will be told that they have committed a crime, which may include running a red light and being caught by a traffic camera, failing to appear for Jury Duty, failing to pay your taxes or failing to pay them on time, or, if an international person, having a problem with immigration paperwork.
3. The victim will be instructed to send a payment immediately, with amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500, and threatened with immediate arrest if they fail to comply.

In the event that you have outstanding warrants, Law enforcement agencies do not make courtesy phone calls. A deputy will arrive unannounced to execute an arrest warrant, or you will receive a certified letter informing you of any legal action that’s being taken against you. If you owe a fine, you will not get a fifteen (15) minute notice to pay it over the phone.

The public needs to be aware that the Nolan County Court does not require anyone to provide sensitive information in a telephone call, nor to purchase any kind of monetary device to avoid arrest. Persons receiving such a telephone call should never give out credit or debit card information, bank account information or birth dates and social security card numbers over the phone (or email), and instead should hang up and contact their local law enforcement agency.

On Saturday, December 6, 2014, at approximately 10:35pm, an equipment infraction prompted the stop of a Dodge truck in Sweetwater that lead to the arrest of a Roby man and seizure of suspected marijuana, methamphetamine and paraphernalia.

A Nolan County deputy stopped a maroon Dodge truck driven by JB Mcafee, of Roby for a defective headlight, in the 100 block of Alexander, Sweetwater. While speaking with McAfee, the deputy noted signs of possible criminal activity, whereupon consent to search the vehicle was requested but denied. Mcafee later gave the deputy consent to search the vehicle, and provided information that he my find a marijuana roach in the ashtray. Another deputy in the area arrived and assisted in a roadside investigation.

A search of the vehicle was conducted which lead to the initial discovery of suspected marijuana, paraphernalia used in it consumption, numerous empty multi-colored baggies, and a candy dispenser containing multiple plastic baggies filled with suspected methamphetamine. The deputy continued the search and located a natural compartment area of the vehicle where several containers had been concealed. One was filled with multiple small multi-colored baggies containing suspected methamphetamine, and the other contained a large zip lock bag with a substantial amount of suspected methamphetamine.

Mcafee was arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Federal prosecutors will review the case for possible federal charges due to evidence obtained in the investigation.

The vehicle was towed to a secure facility where a more thorough search and investigation was conducted by deputies, and members of the 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

On Friday, October 31, 2014, at approximately 10pm, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Lamar Street for a minor traffic infraction. Upon contact with the driver, a Sweetwater man who was accompanied by passenger, Lisa Cantu, of Sweetwater, the deputy immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana, justifying a “probable cause” search. Both individuals were requested to exit the vehicle where an investigation could be conducted.

A search of the vehicle was then conducted which lead to nothing illegal being discovered. The deputy then notified a female deputy that was in the area for assistance, and after her arrival, a pat down of Cantu was conducted which lead to the discovery of a small plastic baggy with suspected marijuana, and paraphernalia used in its consumption, both concealed in her bra.

Cantu was arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail where she was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney for prosecution.

On Sunday, October 19, 2014, at approximately 10pm, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop at mile-marker 245 of IH-20. Upon contact with the driver, Joe Garcia, Jr., of Fort Worth who was accompanied by passenger, Jose Efrin Gamboa, of Fort Worth, the deputy immediately discovered items justifying a “probable cause” search. Both men were requested to exit the vehicle where an investigation could be conducted.

The deputy then notified another deputy in the area for backup, and after her arrival, a search of the vehicle was conducted which lead to the discovery of suspected marijuana, concealed in a plastic container under the seat. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, a clear plastic baggy containing suspected marijuana was discovered, concealed in the center console.

Both men were arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail where they were charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney for prosecution.

On Saturday, October 11, 2014, a Nolan County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a gray, Ford truck in the 300 block of 3^rd Street for expired registration. Just before the stop, the deputy had observed the occupants in the vehicle engaged in suspicious activity behind a local Sweetwater business, which raised concern.

After stopping the vehicle and contacting the driver, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by passengers, Dylan Kirkpatrick and Dusty Sutton, both of Sweetwater, the deputy became even more concerned when the men admitted to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and having smoked marijuana earlier.

All the men were requested to exit the vehicle; consent to search was requested and received. A search of the vehicle was then conducted which lead to the discovery of a bag of suspected marijuana, paraphernalia used in its consumption and paraphernalia used in the consumption of methamphetamine.

The two passengers were arrested and transported to the Nolan County jail. Kirkpatrick was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of drug paraphernalia. Sutton was charged with the misdemeanor offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the Nolan County Attorney for prosecution.