Local News
Ex-county employee indicted on charges of theft, tampering
By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Carl Phillips, former director of the Cherokee County Supervision and Corrections Department, was arrested Dec. 10. His charges included theft by a public servant, tampering with governmental record and application of property by a fiduciary.
Released the same day as his arrest on a $25,000 bond, Phillips’ alleged crimes occurred some time near and between Jan. 4, 1999, and July 15, 2009, according to the three-count indictment.
John Raffield, county sheriff’s investigator, said Phillips was issued a credit card through the state for department use. He said Phillips began using the card for personal items at between $20,000 and just under $100,000. Raffield said these included gasoline, dental services, cell phone services, musical instruments, sporting event tickets, recovery debt services, household utilities and more.
As stated by the indictment, Phillips “intentionally impair(ed) the availability of a governmental record” by shredding, secreting or destroying credit card receipts and/or statements near Jan. 4, 2002, through July 15 of this year. Raffield said he got the case Aug. 26.
Raffield stated Phillips’ alleged misconduct cropped up after an employee reported it during Phillips’ time with the county. He added certain repayments were made, but Phillips continued using the card without anything else being mentioned.
“I don’t know if he would have never been caught,” Raffield said. “It would’ve taken some kind of audit, and previous audits didn’t catch it.”
He said the incidents reappeared after Phillips’ retirement, which came this summer and ended his service of more than 30 years to the county. Raffield said an employee spoke to Tommy Kerzee, Phillips’ successor, and informed him of these events. At that point, Kerzee worked with the district attorney’s office and Randy Hatch, a DA investigator, Raffield said.
Dates for arraignment or pre-trial had not been set as of Thursday.
Phillips’ attorney, Chris Day, of Jacksonville, did not return calls made to his office Thursday afternoon.
Elmer Beckworth, the prosecutor slated for the case, said county judges who preside over the case may recuse themselves.
“We will probably need a visiting judge,” Beckworth said.
- Local News
-
-
More life jackets needed
Lake Jacksonville is fresh out of its 18 or so life jackets put up for visitors to borrow and return, said Jacksonville Fire Department Chief Paul White.
The life jackets were added as part of the “Kids Don’t Float” program just before July 4. -
City hires Silvey as building inspector
Jacksonville has a new building inspector after three or so months of keeping a vacant position.
Building Official Jody Watson said the new hire, Chris Silvey, brings strong Jacksonville ties with him. -
JISD evaluation instrument sees few tweaks
It happens every year at Jacksonville Independent School District: the board of trustees evaluates the sitting superintendent, then decides whether to renew the superintendents contract.
After this, Board President James Houser said the board looks at what changes might need to be made to the instrument used to evaluate the superintendent. -
Chamber joins Texas Trail
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has joined the Texas Forest Trail Partnership Program for 2010, said Chamber President Peggy Renfro.
It is a partnership that has happened in the past, she added, but now the Chamber will take a more active role. -
Mission House helps community
In Bullard, an organization called Mission House has been working since 2005 to better the community and the surrounding East Texas areas.
“I believe it was 2005 when I opened Mission House,” said Hazel Mason, mission coordinator for First United Methodist Church. -
What's News for July 29, 2010
Get your non-profit organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to living@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content
-
JFD fireman electrocuted at incident site
Jacksonville Fire Department Lt. David Glidewell received a medium strength electrical shock at a house fire on the 900 block of Fort Worth at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Fire Marshall Dennis Tate said Glidewell was treated and released from ETMC-Jacksonville Tuesday evening and should be back to work Thursday. -
Mayor holds meetings with residents
Jacksonville’s citizens are looking forward to the coming opportunities for earnest discussions with Mayor Robert Haberle.
Some, such as Janis Adams, said she believes Haberle’s decision to open a room for citizens every other week is a good one. -
Rusk PD arrests 13
The Rusk Police Department arrested 13 people in mid-July for various charges. Among these were five or six arrested for traffic charges or charges alleged in conjunction with being in a motor vehicle. All arrests were made between July 8 and July 23, according to police department officials.
-
Take a dive
Five-year-old Dylan Caldwell takes his first ever dive at the Jacksonville city pool. The Alto boy was coaxed in by family members who swam with him.
- More Local News Headlines
-
