NCSO News

On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the 32^nd Judicial District Court sent a very strong message to those who choose to poison our community with illegal drugs, by sentencing a prolific supplier of Methamphetamine and Heroin to a total of 90 years in a Texas prison.

Zackary Dewayne McDonald, 35, of Coleman, pled guilty for his role in an organized crime ring, dedicated to the sale of illegal drugs in Nolan County. McDonald was arrested, as part of a joint investigation involving Nolan County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division (Abilene) and Investigators with the 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

McDonald began bringing drugs into our community sometime in April of 2018 when he would bring in approximately two ounces of methamphetamine every other day. This amount quickly increased to a pound a week and eventually to two pounds a week. In addition to the methamphetamine, McDonald was also bringing in an ounce of heroin every three to four days.

Investigators caught wind of McDonald’s activity on September 13, 2018, and immediately began an extensive investigation. This investigation led to the arrest of McDonald, six days later, on September 19, 2018.

Through investigation, it was discovered that McDonald was the main source of supply of methamphetamine and heroin for Matthew Lee McQueen II, 28, and his girlfriend, Sierra Cheyann Jones, 24, both of Sweetwater, who would then disburse the illegal drugs into our communities. The couple at the time were two of the most prominent drug dealers in Nolan County, but their activities would come to an abrupt end after being arrested.

McDonald was eventually released on bond, after his arrest, so the investigation into his illegal activities continued. McDonald was placed under surveillance, which resulted in his arrest again on November 14, 2018, when he was headed to Sweetwater with approximately 11 ounces of methamphetamine. After this arrest, McDonald admitted to investigators that since his release on bond in September, he had made an additional three or four trips to Sweetwater, bringing in approximately a 1/4 pound of methamphetamine each time, to McQueen.

Estimated quantities of methamphetamine that McDonald brought into Nolan County, based on his own admission are in the range of 22 pounds, an estimated street value of approximately $211,200.00.

Members of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (Abilene) and Investigators with the 32^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office began a sweep of 25 defendants who helped move or sell methamphetamine and heroin in the Nolan County community and abroad.

As part of this joint investigation, Matthew Lee McQueen II was arrested on January 8, 2019, and Sierra Cheyann Jones was arrested on January 10, 2019. McQueen pled guilty and would go on to be sentenced to 54 years in a Texas prison and Jones pled guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in a Texas prison.

Also arrested in part of this organized crime ring were, Eric Acosta, Lizette Ann Acosta, Chance Brooke Benson, Charles Ray Carrington, Daniel Lee Cosby, Jason Lee Cosby, Arnulfo Delgado, Adam Martin Garza, Shawn Lucas Garza, Christopher Joseph Hamm, Jody Shane Jones, Moses Jacob Lara, Michael Alan Ledbetter, Katie Louise McQueen, Curtis Mathis Mahula III, Douglas James Monday, Michael David Morgan, Mark Randall Murry, James Allen Parker, Francisco Javier Pena, Tyler Scott Polk, Monica Rodriguez and Helena Jade Tollison.

Sergio Salinas, 26, of Dallas who was the main source of supply to Zackary McDonald was arrested in Nolan County on November 9, 2019, along with his brother, Jose Alberto Salinas, 20, also of Dallas. The brothers were in possession of over a pound of methamphetamine, destined for Sweetwater, Texas. Sergio Salinas is currently in Federal custody, and his brother, Alberto was released on bond. Both are pending judicial process in Nolan County for engaging in organized criminal activity.

Of the 28 defendants, 16 have been adjudicated. All cases in this investigation that have been resolved have yielded over 200 years of Texas prison sentences.

The same team of investigators and agents had recently dismantled several other drug distribution organizations within Nolan County, which resulted in numerous arrests. The defendants in these arrests received sentences exceeding 300 years combined, in Texas prisons.

There are other illegal organizations in Nolan County that are currently being targeted and like all the others, they too will be dismantled.

On Wednesday, October 23, 2109, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call from a concerned citizen, who told us that they just received a telephone call from someone claiming to work for the “Nolan County Civil Department.” The concerned citizen went on to say that their caller ID displayed “Nolan County Sheriff’s Office.” The concerned citizen told us that they were suspicious, almost immediately, for several reasons. The concerned citizen said that the caller spoke with an accent that was very hard to understand. Thankfully this concerned citizen listened to their instincts and called us to verify the legitimacy of the call.

We informed the concerned citizen that we had no civil papers for them. We want to remind you all that we do not call people to inform them of a warrant, of civil process, or any other legal process.

This phone call was a SCAM, and the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office telephone number was “spoofed.” These con artists are very sophisticated and had the technology to make it appear that they are actually calling from our phone number. When these scammers get you on the phone, they will tell you that you have a warrant or civil papers, but then “give you a chance to pay the fine/fee” over the phone. They may ask for a credit/debit card, or they may ask you to send the money via Western Union/Money Gram, or they may ask you to purchase a pre-paid money card and send it to them. We urge you to contact our office if you receive such a call and definitely don’t give the caller any personal information or payments. 

Remember, if you have a warrant, we will come to you unannounced; we will not call you, and if you have civil papers, we will mail you a postcard and then attempt to serve those papers to you at home, where we will leave a door hanger, if you’re not home when we come. (see photo below)

If you have any questions, give us a call at 325-235-5471.

Nolan County Sheriff David Warren was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas at their 141^st Annual Training Conference held in San Antonio, July 27 – July 30, 2019. More than 1,500 participants were in attendance at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center where they heard outstanding speakers, had opportunities for significant and timely training sessions, and visited more than 240 exhibits showcasing some of the latest technology in law enforcement.

Sheriff Warren has been the Sheriff of Nolan County since January 2009. He distinguishes himself in his county and throughout the State as he assumes this leadership tole in the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas.

The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas is one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation. The Sheriffs of Texas met for the first time on August 14, 1874, in the courthouse in Coriscanna, Navarro County, Texas. The meeting was called to order by Sul Ross, Sheriff of McLennan County, who later became a notable part of Texas history. The Sheriffs of Texas began annual training conferences in 1878. These training conferences today are the largest composite gathering of law enforcement officers in Texas. Sheriffs and other county and local law enforcement officers, federal and state officers, and major industry security personnel attend. In addition to the annual training conferences, the Association conducts training throughout the year for law enforcement officers. The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas serves a liaison with federal, state, county and municipal agencies and associations to promote cooperation, training, education, and more efficient services to the citizens of Texas.

On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at approximately 1:30 PM, a Patrol Sergeant with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet pickup after observing it traveling eastbound on West Broadway at a high rate of speed. The driver of the white pickup then suddenly executed an illegal U-turn which nearly caused a crash with another motorist that was in the area. The Sergeant pursued the white pickup until it stopped in the parking lot of a convenience store located in the 600 block of West Broadway.

Before the Sergeant could contact the driver, she observed him discard an object from his hand onto the parking lot and then speed away from the location of the traffic stop. A brief pursuit then ensued and ended in the 1300 block of West Broadway when the driver drove the pickup into an open bay door of a large metal building. During the pursuit, a Department of Public Safety (DPS) unit responded to assist.

Once parked inside the building, the driver stayed inside the pickup and refused to comply with the numerous orders given by the Sergeant to exit the vehicle, which eventually led to a standoff. In addition to DPS, units with the Sweetwater Police Department, Texas State Technical College Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Rangers all arrived and assisted in the incident. During the standoff, the driver was identified as John Underwood Gunter, of Sweetwater.

The NCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) also responded and after conducting an investigation in the 600 and 1300 block of West Broadway, an affidavit for a search warrant and arrest warrant for Mr. Gunter was submitted and warrants were issued. A DPS Special Response Team (SRT) was then activated, arrived and eventually extracted Mr. Gunter from the vehicle. He was taken into custody at approximately 6:35PM after a 5-hour standoff with law enforcement.

Mr. Gunter was then taken by ambulance to the Rolling Plains Emergency room and after being evaluated and medically cleared, he was transported to the Nolan County jail where he was booked in on Evading Arrest with Vehicle, a 3rd Degree Felony.

“Thankfully, nobody was injured in the pursuit or standoff. We are very appreciative of all the area agencies that assisted in this matter.” – Sheriff David Warren