On Monday, October 26, 2015, at approximately 6pm, deputies initiated a traffic stop in the 700 block of Lamar. An investigation was conducted that lead to the warrant arrest of Torionno Terrell Taylor, of Sweetwater and seizure of paraphernalia used in the consumption of methamphetamine.
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is an exciting time of year for children, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat tasty treats.
The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office offers these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
Walk Safely
- Stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
- Carry a cell phone for quick communication. Make sure children know your cell phone number, their home telephone number, and address in case they get separated or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Put electronic devices away and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Make eye contact with motorists before crossing in front of their vehicles.
- Remain on well-lit streets and always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
- Never cut across yards or use alleys.
- Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
- Watch for vehicles that are turning or backing up; never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- Teach children to say “NO!” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere or leave with them. Teach children to try everything they can to escape, including yelling, hitting, and kicking.
- Children should not accept anything other than a treat.
- Law enforcement should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, plan and review a route that is acceptable to you.
- Agree on a specific time when children should return home.
- Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
Keep Costumes both Creative and Safe
- Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by motorists.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Eliminate any distractions inside your vehicle so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Healthy Halloween
- A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage children from filling up on Halloween treats.
- Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
- Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
- Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.
Traffic stop leads to two arrests and seizure of hydrocodone, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia
On Thursday evening, October 22, 2015, Investigators with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a narcotics investigation that involved a silver Chevrolet truck, and its occupants.
A Sweetwater Police Patrol Sergeant later located and stopped a silver truck matching the description of the suspected vehicle in the 900 block of Hillside, for an unrelated offense. Contact was made with the driver, Ethan Cord Burt, of Sweetwater who was accompanied by passenger Gaylon Lekee Williams, also of Sweetwater.
Nolan County deputies arrived on scene, confirmed on the vehicle and suspects, and assisted Sweetwater Police in a roadside investigation and subsequently a vehicle search.
During the search, a deputy discovered drug paraphernalia and several oval pills determined to be Hydrocodone, concealed in the glove box. A pat down of Williams was then conducted by Sweetwater Police that lead to the discovery of a plastic baggie containing suspected methamphetamine.
Both men were placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where they were charged with the felony offense of possession of controlled substance. Williams was charged with an additional felony offense of assault/bodily injury. The case will be filed by the Sweetwater Police Department.
Traffic stop leads to an arrest and seizure of over half a pound of marijuana
On Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at approximately 12:50pm, Nolan County deputies stopped a white Dodge RAM at the intersection of 12th and Elm Street for a minor traffic infraction. Contact was made with the driver, Jarvis McCann of Sweetwater and while speaking with him, deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, justifying a “probable cause” search.
After McCann was requested to exit the vehicle, a search was conducted which lead to the discovery of over half a pound of suspected marijuana, concealed in a handbag. McCann was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where he was charged with the felony offense of possession of marijuana. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Traffic stop leads to an arrest and seizure of methamphetamine
On Monday, October 19, 2015, at approximately 945am, a minor traffic infraction prompted the stop of a Chrysler mini-van in Sweetwater, leading to the arrest of one occupant and seizure of a substance determined to be methamphetamine.
A Nolan County deputy stopped a silver Chrysler Town & Country driven by a Sweetwater man for a minor traffic infraction in the 300 block of 4th Street. The driver was accompanied by passenger, Martha Mendez of Sweetwater. Both occupants were requested to exit the vehicle where a roadside investigation could be conducted.
While speaking with the male subject, a pat down was conducted where indicators of criminal activity were observed; thereafter consent to search the vehicle was requested and received. The deputy then notified a female deputy that was in the area for assistance, and after her arrival, a pat down of Mendez was conducted which lead to the discovery of a small plastic baggie containing suspected methamphetamine.
Mendez was placed under arrest and transported to the Nolan County jail where she was charged with the felony offense of possession of methamphetamine. The case will be filed with the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Traffic temporarily blocked on Highway 70
On Monday, October 19, 2015, deputies responded to the intersection of county road 108 and State Highway 70, to investigate a report of a large vehicle blocking the roadway. Upon arriving, deputies found an oil service rig that had been traveling east on county road 108 with its rear drive tires in a culvert, and front end blocking both lanes of travel on Highway 70. After deputies commenced traffic control, the oil rig company was contacted and advised an approximate 1-1/2 to 2 hour arrival time for a crane to remove the vehicle. Texas Department of Transportation was contacted, later arrived and erected temporary traffic control devices to assist motorist traveling on the highway; also on scene was DPS who conducted an investigation into the incident and Oncor.