NCSO News

On Sunday, January 24, 2016, at approximately 4:30am, a Nolan County deputy stopped a black Dodge RAM 2500 for a minor traffic infraction in Sweetwater. The truck was driven by Gerald Ray Pflueger, of Killeen who was accompanied by Stacy Rains, of Sweetwater. During a roadside investigation, indicators of criminal activity were detected and consent to search the vehicle was attained. During the search, the deputy discovered substances determined to be methamphetamine and heroin as well as paraphernalia used in their consumption.

Pflueger and Rains were placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where they were 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.

For Deputies Brandon Johnson, Ricky Garza and Texas Game Warden Jake Simmering:
My family and I were involved in an accident on TX153 on Monday, December 28, 2015. We came across two deputies at the scene that are top notch! These gentlemen were awesome and insured that we were taken care of and helped us get situated in Sweetwater. Thank you, and although we do not know the names of these gentlemen, please know that my family and I greatly appreciate your professionalism and help.

Bobby Head
U.S. Army – 173^rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

After receiving this letter of commendation, we researched our records to identify the deputies and found them to be Ricky Garza and Brandon Johnson; additionally, Game Warden Jake Simmering was also involved in helping get this family out of the cold to safety.

Teamwork within agencies lead to success!

On Monday, December 21, 2015, shortly after learning that the Garrett’s Convenience store in Sweetwater had been robbed, Nolan County Sheriff’s Office Investigator James Villanueva received a phone call from Officer Jay Strong, of the Merkel Police Department.

Officer Strong notified Investigator Villanueva that he was assisting a Taylor County deputy on a traffic stop at the 270 mile marker on Interstate 20. Information provided by Officer Strong was that after a black sedan had been stopped for a minor traffic infraction, it was found to be stolen, which prompted a roadside investigation. During the investigation, a firearm, a bank bag along with other items were discovered which lead Officer Strong to make contact with Investigator Villanueva.

After working together with the two agencies in piecing together information, Investigator Villanueva contacted Detectives Melinda Garza and Sam Cunningham of the Sweetwater Police Department. Both Detectives were made aware of the traffic stop and evidence that would possibly link the suspects to the Garret’s Convenience store robbery in Sweetwater. Detective Cunningham followed-up on the leads provided, and after conducting interviews with both suspects, he was able to charge Shontyeisha Brock and Salatiel Bell with the felony offense of Aggravated Robbery.

This is definitely another fine example of how teamwork within agencies and awareness lead to success.

1. Do not open carry a handgun if you do not have a handgun license.
2. Handguns must be in a belt holster or shoulder holster.
3. Texas licensed handgun carriers must pass a thorough background check.
4. Texas licensed handgun carriers must take an official handgun licensing course.
5. Texas licensed handgun carriers must pass a shooting proficiency test.
6. Do not conceal carry a handgun onto premises where a proper PC §30.06 sign is posted.
7. Do not open carry a handgun onto premises where a PC §30.07 sign is posted.
8. A PC §30.06 sign prohibits CONCEAL carry on premises but open carry is allowed.
9. A PC §PC 30.07 sign prohibits OPEN carry on premises but conceal carry is allowed.
10. The posting of both PC §30.06 & PC §30.07 signs mean that neither CONCEAL carry NOR OPEN carry are allowed on the premises.
11. If you are asked to leave the premises while carrying a handgun whether open or concealed, immediately leave and DO NOT ARGUE.
12. Do not open carry on college campuses. The “campus carry” law that goes into effect August 1, 2016 for public universities (and August 1, 2017 for public junior and community colleges) will allow permit holders to carry only concealed handguns on campus and into buildings.
13. Do not carry a handgun while intoxicated; call law enforcement if you see a person in a public place who is intoxicated and is open carrying.
14. Call law enforcement if you see a person in a public place that illegally removes their handgun from its holster.
15. Do not call law enforcement only because a person has a handgun legally holstered in public.

On Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at approximately 10PM, a Nolan County deputy stopped a white Chevrolet truck for a minor traffic infraction. Contact was made with passenger, William Osage Shumaker, of Sweetwater.

During a roadside investigation, the deputy noticed indications of criminal activity; thereafter consent to search the vehicle was requested and received, which subsequently lead to the discovery of paraphernalia containing suspected methamphetamine.

Mr. Shumaker was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of possession of methamphetamine. This case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

During this time of year, historically, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office sees an increase in criminal activity. In an effort to combat this issue, patrol presence will be increased as much as possible to promote safety among drivers, and discourage would-be thieves. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of a burglary or theft.

1. LOCK YOUR DOORS! Our office has investigated countless burglaries/thefts and has recovered several stolen vehicles this year. Get in the habit of locking the doors, not only of your home, but your VEHICLE as well; REMOVE your keys. 95% of all vehicle “burglaries” happen to vehicles that are left unlocked. Generally, thieves are looking for an easy target and may move on if a vehicle is locked. Take items thieves might see as a potential target inside your home, such as purses, firearms, laptops, bags of medication, etc.; or at least lock them in the truck of your car if you are out and have to leave the vehicle unattended for any length of time.
2. Take holiday cards directly to the Post Office; don’t leave them in your mailbox for pickup. Thieves often target mailboxes this time of year looking for cards containing cash, gift cards, checks, etc. Also, watch out for each others mailboxes and immediately report anyone who is seen snooping around them.
3. This holiday season, many people will be ordering gifts online and having them delivered to their homes. Thieves know this and have started following around delivery trucks attempting to pick up items left unattended after delivery. If you cannot be there to receive delivery of an expected package, ask a neighbor to pick it up for you and get it from them when you return home.
4. Don’t leave empty boxes from items received as gifts on the curb for trash pick-up. Break down the boxes and put them inside the trash can. A box left on the side of the road, such as one from a new flat screen TV, serves as a beacon to thieves to let them know you have a nice new TV inside your home.
5. Shut the blinds to your home during the day and when you are away from home, especially those near any Christmas trees. Holiday decorations and Christmas tree lights are beautiful; they also tell would-be thieves where gifts are potentially located inside you home, as most families put gifts under and around their Christmas tree.
6. Register with ReportIt and use the free, secure, online service that allows you to record serial numbers, owner applied numbers, descriptions and upload images for televisions, firearms, laptops, gaming consoles, chainsaws, weed eaters and other valuables. If you ever fall victim to a burglary/theft, the system will allow investigators to search for the stolen items using the variety of parameters you provided.If you prefer not to use the software, take pictures of the serial numbers and items they belong on, such as televisions, firearms, laptops, gaming consoles, chainsaws, weed eaters, and other big ticket items, with your smart phone or camera. Also take pictures of all jewelry. This will aid in an investigation TREMENDOUSLY if you ever fall victim to a burglary/theft. Print out copies and give one to your home owner’s insurance agent to place in your file. This copy will serve as a backup if needed and may aid you in making a claim with the insurance agency if the need ever arises.
7. If you don’t have a residential or business alarm, we urge you to consider getting one. There are many models and options available.
8. Form a Community/Neighborhood Watch. Neighbors banding together to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement will help to intercept would-be thieves BEFORE they can commit a crime in your area. If you live in an unincorporated area of Nolan County and are interested in options available, contact Sergeant Angie Collier or Investigator James Villanueva at (325) 235.5471.
9. Make sure your home and neighborhood is well lit at night. Thieves depend on the cover of darkness to hide their criminal activities. TAKE THAT AWAY FROM THEM! Large street lights and motion sensor lights help to keep would-be thieves out of the shadows and hopefully out of your neighborhood!
10. Call law enforcement IMMEDIATELY to report any/all suspicious activity witnessed in your community/neighborhood by dialing 9-1-1. It could be a thief casing your area for something to steal!