Athens —
On Monday, Nov. 19, Lloyd Dwight Stephens, 48, of Chatfield, was sentenced to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for possession of methamphetamine.
Judge Mark Calhoon of the 3rd Judicial District Court sentenced Stephens after he pled guilty to the charge, as well as a tampering with evidence charge, which carried an 18-month State Jail sentence.
Stephens was arrested in January this year after being pulled over by Henderson County Sherriff’s Dep. David Robertson for a traffic violation. Robertson stopped Stephens in front of the Brookshire’s in Seven Points on State Highway 274.
According to the police report, as Robertson was approaching Stephens’ vehicle on-foot to issue the citation, Stephens appeared very nervous, and was clutching something in his left hand. Robertson also noticed several empty plastic baggies, as Stephens was retrieving his wallet.
As Stephens was getting his license from his wallet, he kept his left hand clenched. Robertson then began questioning Stephens about his criminal history, and learned that he was on parole, and had been arrested numerous times in the past for possession charges.
After more conversation, Robertson asked Stephens to empty his left hand. Stephens did place some items from his left hand on the passenger seat, but kept some in his hand.
Robertson eventually asked for consent to search the vehicle. After some hesitation, Stephens agreed, but stated that he needed to get some money that he had dropped on the floorboard. After reaching down on the floorboard with his left hand, Robertson shined his flashlight on the area Stephens reached, and noticed a partially-chewed plastic baggie with white residue inside still wet with saliva. Robertson then read Stephens his rights, and questioned him about the baggie. After questioning, Stephens admitted it contained methamphetamine.
Robertson then arrested Stephens for possession of a controlled substance, and tampering with evidence.
McKee praised the work of Robertson and Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt for his work in identifying those that possess or distribute narcotics.
“Sheriff Nutt told the citizens when he was elected that all officers would work narcotics, and he has stayed true to his word,” said McKee. “This was a simple traffic stop that led to a parolee charged with and successfully prosecuted for possession of meth. This was just good ol-fashion police work.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Stephens
Discussion
Simple traffic stop leads to 5-year prison sentence
- Local News
-
-
Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
-
Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
-
Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
-
Bullying just got tougher
To reduce the prevalence of school age bullying the Athens Independent School District has added a new communications tool called Anonymous Alerts, allowing individuals to quickly, easily and anonymously report urgent information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable revealing.
-
Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
