By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
House of Israel member Robert Fox was found not guilty of possession of dangerous drug charges Wednesday. The decision, handed down by visiting Dallas County Judge David Nelms, came in at around 1:30 p.m.
Craig Caldwell, Cherokee County attorney, said the dangerous drug charges were for amoxicillin, cephalexin and erythromycin. Fox was also found not guilty of possessing controlled substance lorazepam, a sedative.
Jacksonville Police Department Detective Jason Price said with the exception of lorazepam, the dangerous drugs listed are used to fight bacterial infections. Price is the detective who performed most of the ground work in investigating House of Israel cases.
Caldwell said the Wednesday trial was originally slated as a pretrial, but Fox agreed to submit his evidence to a judge.
“It was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt,” Caldwell said of the possession charges.
The controlled substance charge and dangerous drug charges were classified as misdemeanors; Fox’s felony charge of tampering with governmental records is still pending with a pretrial scheduled for some time in September.
Also pending for Fox’s list of charges are two unauthorized practice of law cases, Caldwell said.
Price noted during the trial Fox railed against attorneys, referring to them as “chiselers and swindlers,” among other colorful terms.
“I think it’s important to point out Fox’s own attorney, Frank Dobrovolny, represented him extremely well,” Price said.
Having been arrested by JPD three times in 2008, Fox was caught later in the year when he appeared for his arraignment hearing at the county courthouse in Rusk.
The tampering with documents charge is a felony. Chapter 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code defines tampering with a governmental record as making, presenting or using any record, document or thing with knowledge of its falsity and with the intent that it be taken as a genuine governmental record. The crime was filed as a second-degree felony.
During searches made at the House of Israel in spring of 2008, JPD officers confiscated 20 boxes and two file cabinets full of Fox’s legal and financial documents, seven computers, a cache of illegal prescription drugs and a large collection of political propaganda hailing Oklahoma City bombers Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols as patriots.
Officers had valid search and arrest warrants each time Fox was arrested.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
House of Israel’s Fox found not guilty on dangerous drug charges
- Local News
-
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center announced that La Niña, which contributed to the drought across the southwestern U.S., will dissipate between March and May.
-
Alto police force adds tool to help in fighting crime
The Alto Police Department have an additional tool under its belts for fighting crime — tasers.
-
Bullard bans smoking in city park
Smoking in Bullard's O.L. Ferrell Park is officially illegal after a unanimous decision made by the Bullard city council Thursday evening.
-
Aircraft lifted from Lake Palestine
The Varga Aircraft found in Lake Palestine has been lifted from the water Friday afternoon. The missing pilot, Fred Scholz, has not been found and the search mission continued.
-
JEDCO, city to have joint representation
Through a 4-3 vote, Eldridge Moak will cease to be the attorney representing Jacksonville Development Corp. effective July 1.
-
Alto looks to update infrastructure, town is ‘worn out, structurally’
City officials said it is time to start looking into updating the city's underground infrastructure.
-
Model U.N. gives students a global perspective
Last week, delegates from over 40 countries met in Kilgore to discuss important issues within their borders.
-
2 men charged in aggravated assault
A New Summerfield man turned himself in to the Cherokee County jail last week for a late January aggravated assault incident.
-
Alto police hire two new officers
After six months without a police force, and two months of running with two officers, the Alto Police Department is fully staffed.
-
Rusk officials mull education partnerships
The Rusk Economic Development Corporation board of directors is deliberating a project that could grant every graduating Rusk senior a free education at Tyler Junior College.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
