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Brittany Barnhill

ROCKWALL – Rockwall single mother and family violence victim Brittany Barnhill first met her abuser, Nick Welch, at a mutual friend’s party in Garland in December, 2012.

At first they were just friends. Her father was his grandfather’s dentist and they had a few Rockwall connections. What started as a casual friendship then became a relationship.

“At first it was a fantasy,” she said. “He was fun, loving, generous and fun. He swept me off my feet.”

As time went on, she said, he began emotional and mental abuse.

“He gradually became controlling but I wrote it off. Looked the other way. I had never been in an abusive relationship. I began questioning my sanity. I thought I was crazy. Eventually but slowly it became physical. Once the physical abuse began, it became an absolute nightmare. Bad to worse and fast. The last assault July 2, 2013, was clear and apparent I wasn’t crazy.”

“After I got in touch with his ex and found out he had done the same to her but worse to me – scared as I was that he’d kill me – I had to go to the police,” she said.

That was July 7, 2013.

Two weeks later, with the help of Rockwall County Assistant District Attorney Damita Sangermano, District Court Judge Bret Hall issued a protection order.

In August, after Welch was indicted by a Rockwall grand jury for sexual assault, he was arrested by Rockwall Police and spent five days in jail. He then pled guilty to a third degree felony of family violence and was sentenced to four years probation last February by Judge Hall. He now lives in Dallas and has not bothered her since.

“Not a word from him since the order of protection was put in place by Judge Hall two weeks after the assault,” she said.

Brittany will be telling her complete story Jan. 22, 7 pm, at a family violence prevention meeting hosted by Americans Ending Abuse and the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation in hopes of assisting other victims to get the help they need.

Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper will also discuss what’s fueling the local increase in family violence and answer questions. Information will be provided to show area residents how to protect their family members from domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse and sexual abuse crimes. Law enforcement officers are also expected to attend and help answer questions.

The meeting will be held at the Gonino Center For Healing, 6720 Horizon Rd. in Heath, behind Baylor. It is requested that you RSVP to info@americansendingabuse.org or call J.J. Smith, 214-317-1718.

By J.J. Smith

The post Family violence victim Brittany Barnhill to tell her story at crime prevention meeting Jan. 22 appeared first on The Rockwall News.

Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper speaking

Kenda Culpepper speaking to crowd of over 40 people

Domestic violence victim Brittany Barnhill speaking

ROCKWALL – Serious family violence crimes are increasing across fast-growing Rockwall County and the time has come to start raising funds to build the County’s own women’s shelter and children’s advocacy center to aid victims.

That’s what Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper told over 40 area citizens, government officials, agency leaders and volunteers at the monthly family violence prevention meeting sponsored by Americans Ending Abuse and the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation Jan. 22 at the Gonino Center For Health.

She added that felony assaults have tripled during the past year and, although she did not yet know how many were family violence related, she did know the County has seen four family violence deaths in recent years.

She explained Heath freshman Surie Baeza was killed by her mother’s ex-boyfriend in 2012. Jessica Aguilar, the mother of three children, was gunned down by her ex-boyfriend at The Harbor in 2013. Last year a Royse City man just released from the Navy attempted to kill his wife and then committed suicide. The District Attorney’s office is currently prosecuting a mother who is accused of killing her young daughter.

Culpepper introduced new Rockwall County family violence prosecutor Kerri New, who was hired recently thanks to an $80,000 grant the District Attorney reqested from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and $11,000 from the County budget. She explained that Rockwall Police have designated Detective Laurie Burks to serve as its family violence officer.

A second speaker was Rockwall single mom Brittany Barnhill, who described her recent domestic violence experience, after the man she met through friends and started dating became physically abusive. She said she’d never experienced such abuse before and, after obtaining a protection order, also reported him to police. He was convicted of family violence, sentenced to two years probation and has not contacted her since.

Representatives attended the meeting from the Rockwall Police Department, Heath Public Safety Department, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office, Women In Need Women’s Shelter, Lone Star CASA, the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County and Poiema Foundation, which aids human trafficking victims.

The next meeting – open to the public – will be Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 pm, at the Gonino Center For Health.

Volunteers are needed by Americans Ending Abuse and the Lillian Smith Foundation to aid family violence victims and help bring abuse crimes to an end across Rockwall County, DFW and Texas. The non-profits are expanding nationwide and founder J.J. Smith said to think of them similar to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) but for family violence crimes.

For info, call 469-351-2209 or email: info@americansendingabuse.org.

By J.J. Smith

The post DA Culpepper: Felony assaults have tripled; women’s shelter, CAC needed soon appeared first on The Rockwall News.

Brian Ferry

TUCSON AZ – Tucson cold case detectives arrested a man yesterday for the 2002 murder of the brother of Rockwall resident and Garland police officer Curtis Russell.

Brian Ferry, 44, was booked into the Pima County Jail on two counts of first degree murder, charged with killing Charles Russell, 58, and Catherine Nelson, 42, after the Phoenix couple drove to Tucson to buy a motorcycle and then disappeared Feb. 2. A missing persons report was filed in Phoenix after the couple did not show up for work Feb. 6. Their truck was found abandoned in a church parking lot the next day.

Over the past five years, new leads were developed and Tucson Police re-opened the case, leading to Ferry’s arrest. Detectives determined foul play was involved, but had no leads and the incident was cleared as an unsolved missing persons case.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the case to call 88-CRIME.

Officer Russell has worked for Garland Police for nearly 14 years and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division. He told The Rockwall News he is now focused on closure for his 94-year-old father.

“As the years passed since the incident, closure seemed out of the question,” said Officer Russell. “When I received a call two weeks ago stating an active murder case was open, and should have been since the beginning, I felt that the closure was near. As I received the call midday Wednesday Jan. 28th stating an arrest was made, closure has begun. I am not mad, per se, at the P.O.S. who committed the act, I am more focused on closure for my 94-year-old father.”

Officer Russell and his wife, Kim, have lived in Rockwall for 15 years. They are also the owners of CMR Boys Racing, and spend many hours helping their two sons to drag race with slot cars and in junior dragsters. Their oldest son, Carson, 11, has won over $1,000 and numerous trophies at North Texas drag race venues during his four seasons of racing. This will be the first year for Collin, 7, to race junior dragsters.

By J.J. Smith

The post Suspect arrested for 2002 murder of Rockwall man’s brother appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper said Saturday that initial efforts by community groups to reduce family violence crimes and aid victims across Rockwall County are already gaining support.

She explained that after she stated that Rockwall County needs to start planning and fundraising for a women’s shelter and children’s advocacy center at the Jan. 29 monthly family violence prevention meeting hosted by Americans Ending Abuse, and an article was published about her statement in The Rockwall News, she’s received a number of calls from people interested in helping. Over 40 people attended the meeting, representing most all local agencies which deal with family violence.

“Since mentioning my intent to move forward with creating a Children’s Advocacy Center in Rockwall, I have received a number of calls from people interested in helping,” she said. “I am really encouraged that it is generating such excitement in the community!”

She added that Rockwall County currently uses the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center for child neglect/abuse cases. A project of the Junior League of Collin County, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County opened its doors in 1992 and since then has served more than 50,000 abused and neglected children.

Children’s Advocacy Centers make it possible for an alleged neglected/abused child to only have to tell his or her story one time in a recorded interview with a trained Children’s Advocacy Center professional, rather than having to explain the story numerous times. Under one roof are housed law enforcement, child protective services, therapists, caseworkers, interns, nurses and volunteers. Representatives from the District Attorney’s office typically attend interviews, as well.

The centers are also used to train professionals about child abuse intervention and prevention.

The next monthly family violence prevention meeting hosted by Americans Ending Abuse and it’s charitable arm, the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, will be Feb. 26, 7 pm, at the Gonino Center For Healing in Heath. The focus will be upon preventing/ ending child abuse across Rockwall County and aiding the victims.

The public is welcome to attend. Call J.J. Smith for info, 214-317-1718.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), the majority of child neglect/abuse is committed by young parents without good role models to follow in raising children. About two-thirds of child maltreatment cases are classified as neglect, frequently caused by parents abusing illegal drugs. Over 80 percent of abused children are under age six. Over 90 percent of child sexual assaults are committed by family members and close family friends whom the child typically knows and trusts.

There has been considerable success reducing child abuse using such programs as the Nurse Parent Partnership.

By J.J. Smith

The post DA Kenda Culpepper: encouraged by support shown to start Children’s Advocacy Center appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROWLETT – A 12-year-old female sixth-grade student, who was a student at Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary School in Rowlett, committed suicide yesterday.

Rowlett Police confirmed the suicide this morning and are investigating further. No other details were released.

The Rockwall ISD school is located at 5107 Scenic Dr. in Rockwall County, near Lake Pointe Medical Center.

Multiple reports from parents of Rockwall ISD students have also been received.

According to parents, the girl has an older sister who attends Rockwall High School and younger brother.

Leaders of the Hanna4Hope Foundation, Tim and Raina Clark, have offered their condolences to the family and offered their help to the school.

Their daughter, Hanna Clark, was a Rockwall High School freshman student who committed suicide in 2013. Their stated mission is to educate families and community leaders on the possible signs of suicide and provide a variety of resources for parents, teens, and community organizations to reduce suicide’s devastating effects on the lives of youth, their families, friends, and loved ones.

“We are available as a foundation to the family to provide any source of encouragement,” said Raina Clark. “Anything we can do, we will be there for the family. Hanna4Hope would also like to reach out to the school and provide any type of resource we can. This breaks our hearts. We will continue to pray for the family.”

There were three student suicides in the Rockwall area in 2013 and another unsolved death last year of a Heath 12-year-old Amy Parks Elementary School student ruled “undetermined” by the Heath Public Safety Department.

By J.J. Smith

The post Girl, 12, committed suicide yesterday; was student at Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary appeared first on The Rockwall News.

Photo placed on Tim Conatser’s Facebook page

UNION VALLEY – Volunteer firefighter Tim Conatser has resigned from the Union Valley Fire Department after he allegedly posted a photo on Facebook Tuesday of two dead dogs lying on the ice, suggesting he had killed them for trespassing on his property.

Union Valley is about halfway between Rockwall and Quinlan on Hwy. 276.

“Somebody didn’t put any truth my warning,” the caption on the photo read. “Keep your damn dogs on your property.”

The Union Valley Fire Department confirmed one of its volunteers was responsible for the photo.

“We do not condone the recent actions of one of our firefighters. We are following our policy in removing him from our department,” the department said it a statement.

The dogs’ owner, Pulido Rodrigo, told Fox4 News he was in shock after learning on Facebook what happened to Gordo, the black lab, and Spike, the yellow lab.

“I’m in shock! I don’t know, I don’t understand these people. Bad people, I don’t know,” said Rodrigo.

He said he never received any warning or complaints from anyone about the dogs being a problem.

Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said Precinct 4 Constable Terry Jones is conducting an investigation into the incident, with the help of the SPCA of Texas.

The investigation is focusing on whether the man who shot the dogs had the right to do so. The law said there must be a reasonable threat to a person or livestock to shoot.

By J.J. Smith

The post Firefighter resigns after posting Facebook photo implying he killed 2 dogs for trespassing appeared first on The Rockwall News.

Photo placed on Tim Conatser’s Facebook page

GREENVILLE – Animal cruelty charges have been filed against the former Union Valley firefighter who posted pictures of two dead dogs on Facebook last week, implying he shot them for trespassing on his property.

Timothy Conatser turned himself in at the Hunt County jail Wednesday. His bond was set at $10,000.

Conatser resigned from his position as a volunteer firefighter last week after posting the photo online.

He allegedly shot two retrievers and then posted pictures of their lifeless bodies online.

A caption under the photo read, “Somebody didn’t put any truth my warning. Keep your damn dogs on your property.”

The dogs’ owner said he’s never received any complaints from anyone about the dogs being a problem.

By J.J. Smith

The post Animal cruelty charges filed against former firefighter who may have shot dogs appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – There were 95 confirmed child neglect/abuse victims in Rockwall County last year, compared with 84 in 2013, according to Texas Family and Protective Services Data & Statistics (CPS).

The statistics were provided by Rockwall-based Americans Ending Abuse and its charitable arm, the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation.

Over 75 percent of the 24,243 confirmed child abuse/neglect victims statewide in 2014 were under the age of nine, among all races. Most maltreatment occurred between the ages of 3-5 (23%), followed closely by ages 4-6 (20%).

Just over half were girls.

Almost half of the confirmed cases were classified as “Physical Abuse” (47%), followed by “Neglect” (28%), “Sexual Abuse” (23%) and “Emotional Abuse” (2%).

These statistics are not broken down per county, but some are.

There were 305 completed CPS investigations in Rockwall County in 2014, compared with 283 in 2013.

There were 26,244 children in Rockwall County in 2014, up from 25,692 in 2013.

There were also 21 abused/neglected children in foster care in Rockwall County in 2014 and 26 in 2013.

CPS defines child abuse and neglect in the following manner:

“It’s any mistreatment of a child that results in harm or injury. There are four basic types of child abuse though children often experience more than one kind of abuse:

Physical abuse includes actions such as beating, burning, or punching a child.

Emotional abuse may involve criticizing, insulting, rejecting, or withholding love from a child.

Sexual abuse includes rape, touching or fondling, or involving a child in pornography.

Neglect includes failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, medical, or emotional needs. Leaving a young child home alone or failing to provide needed medical care may also be considered neglect.”

On CPS’s HelpandHope.org website, the following information is provided:

Find Help
Recognizing Abuse and Neglect
Signs of Abuse
Are You At Risk?

If you even suspect abuse or neglect, the law requires you to report it, either online (which is the fastest way) at www.txabusehotline.org, or by calling 1-800-252-5400 (there could be an hour or longer wait).

By J.J. Smith

The post 95 confirmed child abuse cases in Rockwall County last year appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – Rockwall mother Heidy Guillen has been charged by Rockwall police with Capital Murder of her two-year-old daughter, Jade Guillen, who died from injuries Nov. 22, 2014.

She was charged Jan. 23, 2015, according to Rockwall County Judicial Records. No bond had been set as of that date.

Rockwall police responded to a 911 call Nov. 20 to the 300 block of Eva Place at about 8:18 am where they said they found the little girl having an apparent seizure.

Medical responders rushed the child to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas where hospital staff placed her on life support systems.

Guillen was arrested Nov. 21 by Rockwall Police for Forgery Government/National Inst/Money/Security and Immigration Hold.

She remains in Rockwall County jail.

By J.J. Smith

The post Rockwall mother charged with Capital Murder of 2 yr old daughter appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL -The deadline to apply to become Rockwall’s new Police Chief is March 31.

Rockwall Police Chief Mark Moeller announced in February that he plans to retire July 17 after 13 years of service to Rockwall and 38 years in law enforcement.

Click here to apply online on the City of Rockwall website.

Interested applicants can click here for more details about the position. The website states:

“The ideal candidate should have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Public Administration or a closely related field and have continuously worked to achieve individual professional development. A related Master’s degree and Master Peace Officer Certification is preferred, as is graduation from the FBI National Academy or similarly recognized professional development program.

Also required are ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in municipal police work including four (4) years of administrative and supervisory experience.”

Chief Moeller began his career as a patrol officer in the Dallas Police Department in July, 1977. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant, holding supervisory positions in multiple divisions within the department, before coming to lead the Rockwall Police Department in April, 2002.

Under Chief Moeller’s guidance, the Rockwall Police Department has grown from 45 officers and 18 civilian personnel to the current strength of 79 officers and 22 civilian staff. The City’s population has grown from 23,000 in 2002 to almost 41,000 today.

By J.J. Smith

The post Application deadline March 31 to replace retiring Rockwall Police Chief Moeller appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – Nine members of the local Caddo Creek chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) attended the March family violence prevention meeting hosted by Rockwall-based Americans Ending Abuse and its charitable arm, the Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation.

According to chapter president “Gonzo,” BACA is comprised of men and women from a variety of professions whose goal is to create a safer environment for abused children.

“We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live,” he said. “We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children.”

He added BACA volunteers often escort abused children to court proceedings. They receive referrals from families, CPS, police, social workers and more.

By J.J. Smith

The post Bikers Against Child Abuse attend Rockwall family violence prevention meeting appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – The body found in Lake Ray Hubbard Feb. 28 has been identified by the Dallas County Medical Examiner as David (Allen or Alan) Fyfe, believed by Dallas Police to be of Royse City.

According to Dallas Police Department Homicide Detective Lieutenant Thomas Castro, it is still an open investigation so they are not releasing any further information at this time.

His body was found about 1 pm that day along the rocks of the eastbound I-30 bridge by a Dallas Fire Department boat assisting with the search.

Rockwall police told media the body may be the same person who was reported missing Feb. 27 from the Harbor area of Rockwall.

An email was sent this morning asking Rockwall Police if Fyfe is that same person but no word yet from Rockwall Police.

By J.J. Smith

The post Body found in Lake Ray Hubbard Feb. 28 identified by medical examiner appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – Heath attorney Kerri New has been hired by Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper as an Assistant District Attorney to develop a Family Violence Division and handle the prosecution of increasing family violence cases.

Culpepper told The Rockwall News that hiring New to develop a Family Violence Division has become necessary because, as the Rockwall County population has increased, there are more and more family violence cases to prosecute.

“What especially concerns me is that there are many more serious family violence cases,” she said. “In the past few years we’ve had several family violence-related murders, which used to be highly-unusual for Rockwall County.”

“I am very happy that Kerri New has agreed to join us. Since I worked with her previously at the Dallas County DA’s office, I knew she would do an excellent job.”

New is the former Deputy Chief of the Misdemeanor Division at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, where she was responsible for the training, supervision and evaluation of all prosecutors assigned to that division. She was also a felony prosecutor.

Between 1999 and 2004, when she went in to private practice, New handled the prosecution and/or disposition of thousands of criminal cases and participated in well over 150 trials of cases ranging from DWI’s to non-death capital murders.

In 2005, New went into private practice and in 2007 she closed her practice to focus on raising her three children. During her time as a stay-at-home mom, Kerri served as Chairman of the governing board for the Wesleyan Christian Academy in Rowlett and is currently serving her second term as President of the PTO at Amy Parks Heath Elementary School.

New graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1996 with a BA in English. She graduated from Baylor University School of Law with her Juris Doctorate in February of 1999. After law school, Kerri was awarded a prestigious clerkship with the Honorable Sam Johnson, Senior Judge for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

New said she is thrilled to be working again with Culpepper and is grateful to be able to help make Rockwall County safe for family members.

“There is so much in the world to fear – home should be the one place we know we are safe,” she said. “When a person you care about – whether you are dating, married or part of the same family – is the one who hurts you, then it can feel like there is no safe place.”

“Rockwall County is where I choose to live, work and raise my family, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to help make home the safe shelter it should be for the people in my community.”

By J.J. Smith

The post Kerri New hired to develop Family Violence Division at District Attorney’s office appeared first on The Rockwall News.

Facebook photo

FORNEY – Students are posting on social media that 10th grade Forney High School student Alexis Radzimski committed suicide Wednesday because she was being bullied.

A Memorial to Alexis Radzimski Facebook page was on Facebook but is no longer online.

“In all honesty, I like that Forney is able to rally together for Alexis like this. I’m just sad that it took her death for us to finally see,” posted Luke on Facebook.

“RIP to Alexis Radzimski,” tweeted Makayli Sanderson. “This girl though I didn’t know her well brings a great love to my heart. It makes me sad to hear your gone due to other people’s ignorance and stupidity towards you. ”

“Prayers for joe and Gloria radzimski, Alexis I’m sure will be missed.. I find it sad that kids can hurt someone that bad emotionally,” tweeted Connorwylin.

The Forney School District released a statement that they are saddened by the loss of one of their students and grief counselors are on hand at Forney High School to help students and faculty deal with her death.

If Forney Police – who are investigating – confirm that she committed suicide, Alexis will be the fifth known area youth to have committed suicide within the past two years, including:

Rowlett Cullins-Lakepointe sixth-grader Samantha Lee, 12, in February, 2015
Quinlan Thompson Middle School eighth-grader Eugene McCann, 14, in June, 2013
Utley Middle School eighth-grader Bre Escobedo, 14, in May, 2013
Rockwall High School freshman Hanna Clark, 15, in April, 2013

Forney Police were called this morning but no response has yet been received.

Additional news stories have been published online about her death at WFAA.com and inForney.com.

By J.J. Smith

The post Students say Forney High student committed suicide because of bullying appeared first on The Rockwall News.

Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office photo

ROWLETT – A jail inmate was captured just after 8 am today after he escaped from Lake Pointe Medical Center, causing five Rowlett schools to be locked down.

Jose Maria Pedraza-Cervantes, 18, was arrested near I-30 and Dalrock Road in Rowlett, about four hours after he broke and jumped out of a second-floor glass window. He then escaped on foot, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

Schrade Middle School, Steadham Elementary, Pearson Elementary and Herfurth Elementary in Garland ISD, and Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary in Rockwall ISD were locked down as a precaution.

Rowlett Police said a perimeter was set up about a square-mile wide and officers were posted at several intersections.

Police then sent an automated call to homes and businesses within the perimeter, warning them of the situation and giving them a description of Pedraza-Cervantes while the search was ongoing.

Pedraza-Cervantes had been jailed for possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest since February. He was taken to a Lake Pointe Medical Center for unknown reasons about a day and a half ago.

By J.J. Smith

The post Escaped jail inmate captured in Rowlett this morning after schools locked down appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – Lancaster man Rojelio Martinez, 19, pled guilty Friday to murdering Rockwall County resident John Edward Spangler, 27, and was sentenced to forty years in prison by 382nd Judicial District Court Judge Brett Hall.

Martinez was charged with killing Spangler, the father of three children, in the parking lot of the Rowlett 7-Eleven convenience store located at 8509 Lakeview Pkwy. during the early morning hours of Dec. 17, 2014.

Police said that Martinez and Spangler were in a vehicle negotiating a drug transaction when the incident took place.

“At some point, we believe that the deceased realized that Martinez had brought fake drugs or glass to the transaction,” said Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, who was the lead prosecutor on the case.

She said an argument ensued, and Martinez produced a Lorcin .380 semi-automatic handgun, shooting Spangler in the torso. Witnesses said they saw his body fall out of the car into the parking lot and called police. He later died from his injuries.

The defendant fled the location in his vehicle, but Rowlett police officers located it and the defendant was arrested within minutes of being dispatched.

Culpepper said Martinez was originally charged with Capital Murder but it was subsequently reduced to Murder.

“We spent a lot of time speaking with Mr. Spangler’s family and looking at the totality of the evidence with law enforcement,” she said. “The Rowlett Police Department did an excellent job of investigating this case. We are very pleased with the sentence rendered and glad that the family received the justice they felt was due for the death of their loved one.”

“This is a cautionary tale, however,” she added. “It should serve as a reminder that a drug transaction can be a deadly one. Those buying drugs should remember that dealers can be desperate and evil people. When you get involved in this trade, you can end up paying with your life.”

By J.J. Smith

The post Rojelio Martinez sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder of John Spangler appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – A missing seven-year old boy, who was abducted by his uncle from his grandparent’s home near Durant, Oklahoma, early Thursday, was found safe in Rockwall about 2:30 am Thursday by Rockwall Police after an Amber Alert was issued.

Cash Umina, who had been removed by CPS in Texas from his mother’s care and placed with his father’s parents in Marshall County OK, was picked up yesterday and reunited with his family in Oklahoma.

His uncle, Jason Montgomery, was arrested and is currently in the Rockwall County Jail, charged with kidnapping, according to Marshall County Undersheriff Danny Crier. Authorities said he may be moved to Oklahoma early next week if he does not fight extradition. It is unknown why the uncle took the boy.

Crier said Montgomery has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was recently released from a mental hospital. Since last week, he had lived in his father’s home in rural Oklahoma.

Detectives used cell phone tracking to find them at the home of the boy’s maternal grandparents who live on Nova Park Ct. in Rockwall. The boy’s mother and grandmother were reportedly in the home. Montgomery and the boy’s mother are siblings.

By J.J. Smith

The post Abducted Oklahoma boy found safe in Rockwall yesterday; uncle arrested appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – A Rockwall jury sentenced Wylie resident William Leigh Muzolf to life in prison yesterday without possibility of parole after finding him guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.

The jury took less than two hours to find him guilty, according to a news release from Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper.

Jurors heard testimony that Muzolf sexually assaulted his girlfriend’s nine-year-old daughter multiple times over a period of 12 months in 2011-2012, wrote Culpepper. The child out-cried to her aunt when she returned to Oklahoma to stay with her biological father.

Prosecutors called a number of witnesses, including a forensic interviewer from Oklahoma, to corroborate the victim’s allegations. An expert witness from the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center also helped educate the jury about the effects of trauma following sexual abuse and the reasons for a delayed outcry.

“Thankfully, the victim’s father had the presence of mind to report the abuse to Child Protective Services and law enforcement when he heard about it,” said Felicia Oliphant, the lead prosecutor on the case. “Too many times, families hesitate to act and the abuser is allowed to have continued access to the child. I am also proud of the victim who finally had the courage to stand up to her abuser.”

“Once again, a Rockwall County jury sent a strong message to the community that this type of heinous behavior will be punished to the full extent of the law,” said Culpepper. “I really appreciate their service in helping to protect victims who are often too vulnerable to defend themselves.”

By J.J. Smith

The post Child sexual abuser sentenced to life in prison by Rockwall jury appeared first on The Rockwall News.

ROCKWALL – Deputy Neeko, the Rockwall County Sheriff’s only patrol canine, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly June 21 due to a cancerous tumor that ruptured on his spleen.

K-9 Neeko was almost nine years old and was still on active duty at the time of his death, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office

The 83-pound male German Shepherd was purchased from Metro-Dade K-9 in Florida. In the six years that K-9 Neeko was active, he received 17 different certifications from NNDDA (National Narcotic Detector Dog Association) and NAPWDA (North American Police Work Dog Association) , along with 3 in-house certifications.

“He was a very obedient dog with a hard bite,” the release read. “Early in his career, his upper left and right canine teeth had been replaced with molded titanium teeth due to damage sustained by biting.”

“K-9 Neeko enjoyed all facets of the dual-purpose patrol dog, with his favorite being building search and apprehension work. He lived with a family that loved him deeply, and his departure has not been easy for those whom he left behind. K-9 Neeko was both a good friend and loyal partner; he will never be forgotten.”

The news release noted that K-9 Neeko’s training was a joint effort by his handler and several past and present K-9 Officers of the Dallas Police Department.

“Without the help of the Dallas Police Department, the Rockwall Sheriff’s Office would never have acquired Neeko, nor would the canine team ever have reached the level of proficiency that it did. The Rockwall Sheriff’s Office is truly indebted to this great department for their professionalism and hospitableness to outside agencies.”

According to Lt. Greg Welch, the Sheriff’s office plans to add another patrol canine as soon as possible.

By J.J. Smith

The post Neeko, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office only patrol dog, passes away unexpectedly appeared first on The Rockwall News.

CANON CITY CO – A 44-year-old woman, who was employed at Lake Pointe Imaging Center in Rockwall, fell 400 feet to her death Monday from an observation deck overlooking the Royal Gorge canyon in the mountains of south-central Colorado.

Wylie resident Denise McLean, 44, fell from a platform at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, just northeast of a landmark bridge than spans a chasm 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River.

“At this time, the fall appears to be accidental with no foul play suspected,” the Canon City Police Department wrote in a statement.

Authorities were notified Monday that the woman was missing after she was last seen alive near the north end of the 1,270-foot long bridge.

Crews began searching the area but had to suspend rescue operations because it was too risky to traverse the treacherous terrain at night, police said.

Early Tuesday, the Fremont County Search and Rescue Team located the woman’s body on a cliff face, 400 feet below the observation deck, police said.

The Royal Gorge, about 60 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, is one of the state’s major tourist attractions. The narrow 10-mile canyon was carved through the redrock granite mountains over thousands of years by the Arkansas River.

Completed in 1929, the bridge that spans the canyon is billed as the highest suspension bridge in North America and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, according to the park’s website.

By J.J. Smith

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