FBI informant faces break-in charges

Charges in Minnetrista incident may harm accused's credibility in conspiracy trial of anarchists arrested in connection with RNC.

By RANDY FURST, Star Tribune

Last update: February 17, 2009 - 11:14 PM

An undercover FBI informant in a high-profile criminal case in Ramsey County against eight members of an anarchist group faces charges himself for assault and burglary.

Andrew C. Darst, 30, who spied on anarchists planning disruptions at the Republican National Convention in September, attended a Hennepin County District Court hearing on Tuesday for a Jan. 11 incident in Minnetrista in which he allegedly broke into a house and struck two men. He is charged with two felony counts of first- and second-degree burglary as well as fifth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

The hearing was postponed until March 16 because he had obtained a new lawyer.

Darst was a member of the RNC Welcoming Committee, an anarchist group that organized disruptive protests outside the convention. Eight of its members face charges in Ramsey County District Court for criminal conspiracy to commit riot.

Bruce Nestor, one of the attorneys representing the eight activists, said that based on FBI documents the prosecution gave to the defense, he "would confirm that Andrew Darst was a confidential informant" working for the FBI inside the Welcoming Committee.

The Ramsey County attorney's office, which is prosecuting the case against the anarchists, declined to talk about Darst. Nestor said, "It is my impression that the government believes he is an important witness."

Darst was involved in the Welcoming Committee's "action faction," which discussed plans for street disruptions, other group members have said. He had more access to internal plans than three undercover operatives for the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

Darst declined to comment. FBI Agent E.K. Wilson said it is FBI policy "not to comment on informant matters." In court papers, Darst's attorney, Patrick Flanagan, stated that Darst will plead not guilty in the Minnetrista case, claiming self-defense. Flanagan declined to discuss the case or Darst's involvement with the FBI.

Tom Foley, a former Ramsey County attorney, said in an interview that "potentially" such an incident could "undermine his [Darst's] credibility as a witness" at the trial of the anarchist group. "I am certain the defense will want to bring it in and the prosecution will want to keep it out," he said. If Darst testifies that he was law-abiding and did not encourage violence, the defense might use the Minnetrista incident to show "his propensity for violence," said Foley.

The RNC Eight case is assigned to Ramsey District Judge Teresa Warner. Paul Gustafson, a Ramsey County attorney spokesman, said it appears the earliest any of the eight will go to trial is September.

According to court documents, Minnetrista police were dispatched to a home on the 800 block of County Road 19 at 2:18 a.m. on Jan. 11. They found the door of the home had been ripped off its hinges.

A woman told police she was Darst's wife and that she had had an argument with him earlier that night. She went to a party at the home where she got "really drunk," she said. She told police that Darst came to the house, broke down the door, yelled at everyone and knocked one man to the floor.

Police said the man had a cut over his left eye that Darst inflicted. Another man said Darst hit him on the head. Darst "appeared to be full of rage and anger," the police report stated. Another female said Darst pushed her down several times. Darst had a blood-alcohol level of 0.035, well below the DWI impairment limit of 0.08.

The police report said Darst admitted going to the house because "he wasn't comfortable with the people his wife was with there." There is a mug shot of Darst on file at the Hennepin County jail, and though such photos are generally available to the public, a clerk said they were not releasing Darst's photo on instructions from the FBI.

Darst was listed as a potential prosecution witness but never testified in the federal court trial of David G. McKay of Austin, Texas, charged with making Molotov cocktails during the RNC, said Jeff DeGree, McKay's attorney. Earlier this month a mistrial was declared after a Minneapolis jury could not agree on a verdict in McKay's trial.

Reports of undercover operatives for the Ramsey County sheriff indicate that Darst attended various Welcoming Committee meetings. One report, from March 16, 2008, says he urged the committee to block four activists from attending meetings "because he knew one of them had a history of working with cops."

Darst's nickname in the Welcoming Committee was Andy Panda, or Panda. Celia Kutz, 27, a committee member said, "He seemed to be a nice guy and really sensitive."

"He was a person who tried to be involved in as many things as possible," said Andy Fahlstrom, 27, another committee member. He said Darst created "sector maps" for the Welcoming Committee. The maps broke St. Paul into sectors where various groups were to carry out disruptions and confrontations during the RNC.

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Williamson County jailers trained to draw blood in DWI cases

At midnight Wednesday morning, Williamson County jailers got the power to draw blood. It's been nearly two years since the county started drawing blood in felony DWI arrests.

"We're not talking about your first offenders -- these are serious repeat offenders for DWI," said John Foster, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Repeat offenders include the drunk driver who killed Justin Teague, 19, in 2003. His mother, Terri, now fights for victims' rights.

"It infuriates me that people think it's all right to get behind the wheel and drink and drive and that there's no consequences to their actions," said Terri Teague.

Teague supports any method of catching a drunk driver.

Until Wednesday morning, deputies had to wait for nurses at nearby hospitals to draw a blood sample. The policy sometimes meant a long delay and inaccurate blood alcohol readings. Some hospitals in the Austin area have recently refused to perform the blood draws.

"It's become apparent that hospitals really don't want to become involved in these types of blood draws. In respect to that, we went out and we're going to do it ourselves," said Foster.

The county sent three of its EMT jailers through at least four weeks of training to become certified phlebotomists. The jailers -- one for each shift -- will now draw blood from suspected felony drunk drivers directly from the Williamson County Jail infirmary.

Williamson County isn't the first jurisdiction to take emergency rooms out of the equation. Several states, including Arizona and Utah, already have officers drawing blood.

"There's been a gradual erosion of people's rights to privacy," said Jerry Smith, criminal defense lawyer.

Smith believes the new policy is trouble.

"The blood tests themselves are going to come under closer scrutiny in the courtroom procedures now. (The county required) minimal training though for these (jailers) and jail settings are notoriously unsanitary," said Smith.

For victims of drunk drivers like Teague, it's a risk worth taking.

"I would rather see a nurse do it, but I also know that time is of an essence and it needs to be done as soon as possible," said Teague.

The county expects to train more jailers in the future.

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Teen charged with DWI in crash seriously injuring one

A 17-year-old is facing DWI charges and another teen has serious head injuries after a crash in Ontario County. Ontario County Sheriffs said 17-year-old Dylan Jobson from Honeoye was driving on County Road 36 in Canadice around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when he lost control on the ice-covered road. Jobson’s car went off the road and hit a tree along the passenger side. Jobson suffered cuts to his hands and was taken to F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua where he was treated and released. Jobson had two passengers and both were taken to Strong Hospital for head injuries. Police said 17-year-old Austin White, from Hemlock, was riding in the front seat. He was not wearing his seatbelt and suffered a serious head injury. Police said he was unconscious when they arrived on scene. He is in the Intensive Care Unit at Strong. Kelly Hoertz, 17 from Honeoye, was riding in the backseat. She had face and head injuries. Police are not sure if she was wearing her seatbelt. Hoertz was taken to F.F. Thompson and then transferred to Strong for treatment of her head injury. Jobson was charged with driving while intoxicated, unsafe speed and driving after 9 p.m. on a DJ license.

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Man indicted on charges of menacing 3 others

CANTON — A man with no known address was indicted Thursday by a St. Lawrence County grand jury on three counts of menacing.

James Austin,54, also was indicted on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Mr. Austin is accused of threatening to shoot Gerald P. Senecal on Aug. 31 in the town of Edwards, grabbing Michael K. Toohey by the throat while threatening to kill him and his children, and telling Carl F. Sanders, "I am going to count to 10 and you will be dead."

The indictment also alleges Mr. Austin had two 50-round ammunition-feeding devices.

The grand jury also indicted:

Shawn G. Granger,36, of 25262 Bradley St. Road, Watertown, andTerry L. Granger Jr.,41, of 724 Gilbert St., Watertown, on charges of first-degree criminal possession of marijuana. They allegedly had 32 pounds of marijuana in their car Aug. 3 in the town of Waddington.

Shawn Granger served more than five years in state prison for two previous drug convictions, according to the state Department of Correctional Services Web site.

Jody L. Matthews,37, of 261 Talcville Road, Edwards, on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, DWI and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Mr. Matthews was accused of driving on Route 58 in the town of Gouverneur on Sept. 18 with a blood alcohol content of 0.18 percent. A BAC level of 0.08 percent or more is considered proof of intoxication under state law. Aggravated DWI is charged when the BAC is 0.18 percent or more.

He also was charged with DWI as a felony. Mr. Matthews has a previous DWI conviction from Edwards Town Court on May 1, when his license was revoked.

David E. McRobbie,29, Hermon, on charges of DWI as a felony.

Mr. McRobbie reportedly crashed his all-terrain vehicle Aug. 13 on Main Street in Hermon. He has a previous DWI conviction from DeKalb Town Court on June 27, 2006.

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Rehab effort curbs prison population

AUSTIN — Texas' prison population has stopped growing for the time being, thanks in part to changes in corrections policy two years ago that ballooned funding for rehabilitation programs, new statistics revealed Thursday.

That means Texas will not have to consider building new prisons at a time when the economic collapse is pinching the state budget, officials said.

"We put 6,000 treatment beds on line in the past two years ... and this is the initial result: Just what we expected," said Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire, D-Houston, who co-authored legislation mandating the greatly-expanded treatment programs in 2007.

Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, said the statistics show "a dramatic turnaround."

Thursday's testimony by the Legislative Budget Board to the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee marked the first public report card on the new programs, which two years ago were championed by corrections advocates as a step forward and opposed by some prosecutors and police groups as too soft on crime.

"Crime is down, the programs are working," said Michelle Lyons, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice that operates the 112-prison system. "It's been proven before that these types of programs have an impact on recidivism, so these new numbers are no surprise."

The East Texas Treatment Facility in Henderson has a DWI Recovery Program, a six-month initiative that teaches life skills lessons, alternatives to drinking and driving and the medical, lifestyle and stress effects of alcohol. The facility can house up to 500 inmates in its program. In September, 155 inmates graduated from the DWI Recovery Program.

According to the report, the number of convicts in Texas' state prisons is expected to remain steady this year, and then decline slightly the following year — for the first time in several years.

In 2012, however, the prison population could begin increasing again and by 2014 will grow from 155,000 people to almost 158,000, according to the Legislative Budget Board.

Billed at the time as the biggest shift for Texas corrections policy in years, the 2007 changes greatly expanded the capacity of in-prison drug and alcohol-treatment programs, opened new transition treatment centers to help convicts succeed once they got out, expanded counseling and specialized drug-treatment programs and opened new lockups designed especially for habitual drunk drivers.

Total cost was more than $227 million.

Funding is being sought this year for additional treatment beds, which could further reduce the prison population, said state Rep. Jerry Madden, co-author of the plan who at the time was chairman of the House Corrections Committee.

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Driver, 17, charged with DWI after Canadice accident

Two 17-year-old passengers were hospitalized with head and facial injuries and a 17-year-old male driver was charged with driving while intoxicated after a one-vehicle crash about 11:30 Wednesday night in Canadice, Ontario County.

The Ontario County Sheriff's Office reported that a vehicle driven by Dylan M. Jobson, 17, of Honeoye, was traveling south on County Road 36 when Jobson attempted to turn left onto Sunset Drive. Jobson lost control of the vehicle on the icy road, the vehicle traveled off the south shoulder of Sunset Drive, where the passenger side of the vehicle struck a tree.

Sheriff's deputies said that Austin T. White, 17, of Hemlock, a front-seat passenger, suffered a serious head injury and was unconscious at the scene. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Honeoye-Richmond Ambulance. At 6 this morning, White, who was not wearing a seat belt, was listed in satisfactory condition at Strong.

A rear-seat passenger, Kelly M. Hoertz, 17, of Honeoye, was taken to F.F. Thompson Hospital by Honeoye-Richmond Ambulance for treatment of head and facial injuries. She was later transferred to Strong for treatment of her head injury, and as of 6, was still being treated in the hospital's emergency room. Deputies said it was not known if Hoertz was wearing a seat belt.

Deputies said that Jobson was transported by Naples Ambulance to Thompson Hospital for treatment of hand abrasions. He was treated and released.

In addition to be charged with driving while intoxicated, Jobson was ticketed for driving at an unsafe speed along with driving after 9 p.m. on a DJ license. He was wearing a seat belt, deputies said.

The Honeoye-Richmond and Bristol Fire Departments along with the Ontario and Livingston County Advanced Life Support fly cars assisted at the scene.

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TV-Radio Notebook: Extra Points given boot by KTRK

Very quietly, KTRK (Channel 13) has blocked that kick.

Extra Points, the Saturday afternoon magazine/panel discussion show that debuted in September 1997 as an offshoot of a weekly chat segment moderated by Channel 13’s Tim Melton and Bob Allen, has been placed on indefinite hiatus.

Station officials decline, characteristically, to comment, but indications are that the show will not return before Texans football resumes in the late summer, if then.

Extra Points, which last appeared on Jan. 17, has been a consistent ratings performer for Channel 13 over the last decade, even though it was beaten in recent weeks by KHOU’s (Channel 11) Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays. It has been used to best effect in the last couple of years as a means of holding audiences between ABC’s afternoon and prime-time college football games.

Some fans may miss the chat sessions during football and baseball seasons, but, with four sports radio stations in town, the rhetoric will continue unabated elsewhere. Fox Sports Houston also has expanded Houston Sports Beat to twice weekly, so perhaps it would be well-advised to add Extra Points contributors Charlie Pallilo, Ralph Cooper and Kenny Hand to its roster.

If that happens, Extra Points could be Humpty Dumpty by the time August rolls around.

Moving to the radio side, Joe Pogge’s Smokin’ Joe’s Driving Range golf show is moving to 7 a.m. Saturdays on KILT (610 AM). The show most recently appeared on KFNC (97.5 FM) and takes over a Saturday slot previous held by a Texans-related fitness show.

Pogge’s guests Saturday will be Houston Golf Association CEO Steve Timms and former Texas A&M and NFL standout Dave Elmendorf, the general manager at Quail Valley Golf Course.

Up for NBA, no-show for Daytona

Fox Sports lost 48 laps and perhaps as much as a full Nielsen ratings point to last Sunday’s rain at the Daytona 500. The race produced a 9.2 rating and a 19 share, down from 10.2/20 for the full race last year, with an average audience of 16 million viewers.

As usual, Houston lived down to its reputation as one of the nation’s weakest NASCAR markets. Coverage on KRIV (Channel 26) averaged a 4.0 rating and 9 share, which tied for 54th among the 56 major markets. Only New York at 3.3 and San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose at 3.1 ranked lower.

Houston exceeded the national average, however, for the NBA All-Star Game, with a 5.4 Nielsen average to rank 16th among the 56 major markets. TNT’s national average was a 4.1 rating, up 6 percent from last year, and 6.8 million total viewers.

Chuckster’s return

Charles Barkley returned to the air Thursday night with an eight-minute apology for his DUI arrest and a promise that he will never again drink and drive.

"Clearly, everybody knows that I got a DUI. That’s unacceptable," Barkley said prior to TNT’s broadcast of the Spurs-Pistons game. "But it’s 100 percent my fault. I let my family down, clearly. I left TNT down, clearly. I let T-Mobile down, clearly. Also, I let the NBA family down. … All I can say is that will never happen again, and I’m sorry."

Barkley cited several people who called with messages of support, including NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol, Turner Sports executive Jeff Behnke, TNT colleagues Doug Collins and Reggie Miller, Tony Kornheiser and Larry Bird, in addition to strangers who also offered best wishes.

Barkley had to sit out TNT’s All-Star Game coverage Sunday, but his unofficial rehabilitation began as T-Mobile once again began airing commercials featuring Barkley along with Yao Ming, Dwyane Wade and other NBA players.

Meanwhile, Barkley also will be the subject of the Golf Channel’s The Haney Project, hosted by instructor Hank Haney, beginning March 2, The show depicts Haney’s efforts to rehabilitate Barkley’s golf game.

Staying awake at the combine

Drama at the NFL Combine is a relative thing. For example, who can forget the gripping moment a couple of years ago when Calvin Johnson decided on the spur of the moment to run the 40-yard dash and ran 4.35 wearing borrowed shoes?

OK, I don’t remember it, either. Never mind.

At any rate, producer Mark Loomis and his NFL Network colleagues aim to do their best to find gripping, breathtaking footage during 25 hours of combine coverage through next Wednesday. It’s not as challenging as shooting golf, which Loomis did for many years at ABC and ESPN, but the spread-out nature of the workout stations probably makes it more akin to golf than to football.

"It is not an easy event to keep track of," he said. "We’ll have a lot of spotters on the field to help us. There are a lot of moving parts."

NFL Network will employ 13 cameras and 16 analysts, including Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, Steve Mariucci and Charley Casserly, and will use some new speed-based technology from SportVision in an effort to help viewers keep up with things at the 40-yard dash, which passes for the combine’s glamour event.

NFL Network also will stream unofficial workouts across the top of the screen and team needs and biographical information across the bottom.

Loomis and company are enthusiastic about the combine, but they’re realistic, too. They know you’re not likely to watch an entire afternoon of programming, so they’ll try to provide updates each half-hour of the more compelling stories of the day.

If you’re counting, by the way, the list of 320-plus players invited to the combine includes two players from Baylor, nine from LSU, eight from Oklahoma, two from Rice, one from Sam Houston State, one from SMU, one from Stephen F. Austin, four from Texas A&M, two from TCU, five from Texas Tech, five from Texas and two from UTEP.

Four DVRs, no waiting

ESPN’s basketball College GameDay originates from the Erwin Center at the University of Texas at 10 a.m. Saturday. Fans will be admitted beginning at 8 a.m. Dan Schulman and Dick Vitale with Erin Andrews will call the Longhorns-Oklahoma game at 8 p.m. on ESPN. …

Uneven Fairways, the Golf Channel’s measured, informative, just-the-facts documentary on golf’s equivalent of the Negro Leagues before the PGA was integrated, has a few more airings this month at 3 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Monday and 7:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 28.

You’re as likely to remember the show for its description of players who never made it on the PGA Tour because of segregation, including Teddy Rhodes and Bill Spiller, a graduate of Wiley College in Marshall, as those who did, including Lee Elder, Jim Thorpe and Charlie Sifford. It’s a worthwhile view. …

HBO takes an uncharacteristic trip outside its Northeast comfort zone with Battle for Tobacco Road: Duke vs. Carolina, its latest Sports of the 20th Century documentary, at 8 p.m. Monday. It’s one of HBO’s better efforts of the last three, with some of the whimsy and humor that characterizes the network’s most successful efforts like the original Curse of the Bambino. …

NBC’s Universal Sports says it will expand into Houston during the first quarter but can’t or won’t say where the channel will appear. It’s not going to be as one of KPRC’s (Channel 2) digital channels, since both are occupied. We’ll have updates as they become available.

Meanwhile, Universal Sports has coverage this weekend of the Tyson American Cup gymnastics meet from suburban Chicago, featuring 2008 junior all-around champ Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich. …

MLB Network starts its first major news initiative today with its 30 Clubs in 30 Days series, opening with the Red Sox at 7 p.m. today. The Astros segment airs at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 1. …

ESPN says viewership is up more than 20 percent in the early afternoon and 10 percent at midmorning from a year ago for the six months it has offered live SportsCenter programs in those time slots. …

Remember the references to the West Coast Update segments on the late, lamented Sports Night sitcom? ESPN cops the idea by stationing Neil Everett and Stan Verrett at its new Left Cost production studio in Los Angeles to host the midnight CST edition of SportsCenter beginning in April. Stuart Scott also will host some SportsCenters from LA. …

KHOU (Channel 11) and the Dynamo kick off their partnership on Channel 11.2 (channel 310 on Comcast) at 6 p.m. today with highlight shows from the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup finals, tryouts for the team’s dance squads and the Dynamo Insider and Dynamo All-Access shows. The six-hour block also will air at 6 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. …

Fox Soccer Channel has exclusive English-language coverage of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, including the Dynamo against the Mexican side Atlante at 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. …

CBSSports.com has added Microsoft’s Silverlight video player for its March Madness on Demand video streams during the NCAA Tournament. … Jim Nantz was named for the fourth time Thursday as winner of the national sportscaster of the year award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

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Parents of teen killed by suspected drunk driver push for stronger legislation

HOUSTON -- The parents of a northwest Houston teenager, who was killed by a suspected drunk driver, say they are on a mission to keep other families from knowing their pain.

11 News

Nicole Lalime

On Tuesday, they traveled to Austin to push for stronger DWI legislation. They met with state lawmakers.

"We can't bring our daughter back, but to sit back and cry about it isn't going to help anything. We decided what is going to help is to speak up for her and all the other people that are being killed by drunk drivers," said Valoree Lalime, DWI victim’s mother.

Valoree and William Lalime’s daughter Nicole would have turned 14 on Monday.

A driver plowed into the teen as she stepped off her school bus in December.

Police say that the driver, John Winne, was drunk.

He's still in jail on a $1 million bond.

Nicole's parents say they support legislation on sobriety check points and other measures to keep the public safe.

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Chesterfield

The following information was provided to The Progress-Index by the Chesterfield County Police Department.

• Steven R. Porter, 22, of the 1300 block of Turnmill Drive, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 8.

• Jose R. Ruiz-Gomez, 33, of the 6000 block of Pawcreek Road, was charged with manuf, sale, possession controlled substance, possess firearm while in possession of drugs and transporting controlled substances into Virginia on Feb. 8.

• Sharmaine Simmons-Wiltshire, 27, of the 3600 block of King George Court, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 8.

• Dontay R. Tinsley, 18, of the 55000 block of Fairpines Court, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 8.

• Catherine A. Tomlin, 27, of the 2800 block of E. Brigstrock Road, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 8.

• Enrique M. Vargas, 45, of the 400 block of Adamson St., was charged with robbery on Feb. 8.

• Brandon J. Warthen, 24, of the 7500 block of Marbrett Drive, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 8.

• Parrish D. Wilson, 39, of the 7100 block of Windy Creek Circle, was charged with assault & battery - m and unlawful use or injury to telephone lines on Feb. 8.

• Zachary K. Wingold, 21, of the 6500 block of Woodlake Village Court, was charged with trespassing on Feb. 8.

• Jamal M. Alford, 28, of the 15800 block of Tinsberry Place, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 9.

• Tiwang B. Ballantine, 23, of the 20800 block of Riverterrace Road, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 9.

• Michael A. Brown Jr., 18, of the 4700 block of Steven Hill Drive, was charged with assault & battery - m and trespassing on Feb. 9.

• David C. Caras, 18, of the 12100 block of Mountain Laurel Drive, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 9.

• Marvin D. Carter, 39, of the 1000 block of Aubchon Drive, was charged with grand larceny on Feb. 9.

• Janice E. Coleman, 53, of the 1000 block of Fourqurean Lane, was charged with stalking and trespassing on Feb. 9.

• James H. Cooper, 74, was charged with expired medical card on Feb. 9.

• Debra F. Graham, 45, of the 5600 block of Woods Walk Road, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Brian J. Hafemeister, 33, of the 7000 block of Charles City Road, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 9.

• Steven F. Hanley, 25, of the 12700 block of Hogans Alley, was charged with possession of controlled substances and possession of marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Candace L. Henderson, 31, of the 15800 block of Tinsberry Place, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 9.

• Devin M. Hornes, 18, of the 200 block of Winber Drive, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Marlow L. Jiggetts, 29, of the 11000 block of Reedy Branch Road, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 9.

• Kevin E. Knapp, 46, of the 700 block of Dinwiddie Ave., was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 9.

• Clarence J. Lacks, 64, of the 8000 block of Belmont Road, was charged with disorderly conduct on Feb. 9.

• Shawn C. McCants, 25, of the 6000 block of Hudswell Lane, was charged with profane swearing and intoxication on Feb. 9.

• Percy W. Mealy Jr., 35, of the 4000 block of Trice Lane, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 9.

• Walter G. Melendez, 29, of the 3400 block of Ritter St., was charged with carrying concealed weapon - 1st offense, grand larceny and sale, distribute marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Michael A. Mitchell, 42, of the 1200 block of Greenville Ave., was charged with fugitive from justice on Feb. 9.

• Gloria Reese, 54, of the 1800 block of Southlawn Ave., was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 9.

• Rodney J. Russell Jr., 19, of the 200 block of Lakeview Park Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Jeffrey C. Stephens, 26, of the 2000 block of Apple Orchard Court, was charged with grand larceny on Feb. 9.

• Richard A. Vanoyan, 45, of the 4200 block of Holly Hill Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Jose H. Velazquez, 41, address unknown, was charged with DUI - third or subsequent offense and false identify self to law enforcement on Feb. 9.

• Eric Villanueva, 29, of Tilson Road, was charged with carrying concealed weapon - 1st offense, false identify self to law enforcement, grand larceny and sale, distribute marijuana on Feb. 9.

• Nemo C. Adkins Jr., 50, of the 14400 block of Gala Court, was charged with possession of controlled substances on Feb. 10.

• Kacie K. Anderson, 22, of the 12800 block of Ben Fry Drive, was charged with obtaining drugs by fraud on Feb. 10.

• William C. Bennett, 23, of the 2600 block of Drewrys Bluff Road, was charged with grand larceny on Feb. 10.

• Denita A. Brooks, 40, of the 1300 block of N 23th St., was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 10.

• Melissa A. Cole, 41, of the 14400 block of Maria Drive, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 10.

• Janie C. Collins, 38, of the 3100 block of Fox Chase Drive, was charged with embezzlement <$200> on Feb. 10.

• Charles A. Duffield, 54, of the 2800 block of Judes Ferry Road, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 10.

• Vanterry M. Fields, 40, of the 800 block of Akron St., was charged with violate protective orders on Feb. 10.

• Kristen E. Gainey, 18, of the 11300 block of Briarmont Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 10.

• Michael W. Hiltner, 38, of the 13800 block of Perkinson Drive, was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and two counts of possession of controlled substances on Feb. 10.

• Brandon E. Holt, 18, of the 2400 block of Cedar Crest Road, was charged with assault & battery - m on Feb. 10.

• Grace A. Labrake, 47, of the 10600 block of Trents Bridge Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 10.

• Adam J. Marine, 18, of the 3300 block of Virginia St., was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 10.

• Timothy W. Ochoa-Samuel, 20, of the 6300 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy., was charged with assault & battery - family member and fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 10.

• Domino C. Ramirez, 21, of the 2200 block of Westwood Road, was charged with bail/peace release on Feb. 10.

• Darren D. Spencer Jr., 18, of the 6700 block of Arbor Lake Drive, was charged with breaking & enter w/int to commit felony and grand larceny on Feb. 10.

• Shanicka B. Taylor, 30, of the 600 block of N. Laburnum Ave., was charged with embezzlement <$200> and forging, uttering on Feb. 10.

• Clarence C. Tolbert, 55, of the 100 block of Morgan Drive, was charged with no name and address displayed on vehicle on Feb. 10.

• Robert C. Walsh, 19, of the 2000 block of Upperbury Court, was charged with contempt of court on Feb. 10.

• Kyle T. Whitaker, 19, of the 600 block of Westover Hills Blvd., was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 10.

• Stephan B. Williams, 26, of the 1500 block of Winbury Drive, was charged with forging, uttering on Feb. 10.

• Brian S. Williamson, 314, of the 11500 block of Brandenburg Drive, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 10.

• Matthew D. Ala, 32, of the 14000 block of Copper Hill Road, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 11.

• Mathew W. Allanson, 20, of the 5900 block of Essling Road, was charged with unlawful purchase or possess alcoholic beverage on Feb. 13.

• Jason O. Alleyne, 26, of the 400 block of Webster St., was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 12.

• John E. Arsenault III, 19, of the 6100 block of Thierry St., was charged with destruction of property, monument nand grand larceny on Feb. 11.

• Indiah A. Attar, 24, of the 1100 block of St. Johns, was charged with defrauding hotels, motels <$200> on Feb. 11.

• Jeffrey D. Austin, 23, of the 15600 block of Moss light Place, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 12.

• James A. Baylor, 43, of the 4900 block of Parrish Branch Road, was charged with possession of controlled substances and possession of marijuana on Feb. 12.

• Daniel L. Braswell, 24, was charged with profane swearing and intoxication and possession of controlled substances on Feb. 13.

• Joshua L. Brown, 22, of the 6100 block of Cricklewood Drive, was charged with destruction of property, monument on Feb. 11.

• Mary C. Brownson, 52, of the 1600 block of St. Thomas Road, was charged with possession of controlled substances on Feb. 11.

• Jason E. Bryant, 26, of the 3000 block of Waddington Drive, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 11.

• Karen S. Burkholder, 45, of the 2300 block of Shadow Ridge Place, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 11.

• Terry R. Castelow, 47, of the 11300 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy., was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 13.

• Brian M. Clark, 25, of the 200 block of Brandon Road, was charged with credit card theft, petit larceny and unauthorized use of vehicle on Feb. 12.

• Candice S. Collins, 20, of the 8600 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy., was charged with abduction & kidnapping, carjacking and robbery on Feb. 11.

• Ruth H. Cox, 44, of the 6800 block of Sika Lane, was charged with embezzlement <$200> on Feb. 12.

• Janet M. Crabtree, 31, of the 2900 block of Monte Crest Ave., was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 11.

• Teresa Cruz, 18, of the 2800 block of Broad Rock Blvd., was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 12.

• Markus K. Cunningham, 42, of the 2900 block of Tinsberry Drive, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 11.

• Daniel L. Deangelis III, 55, of the 700 block of Lakeview Ave., was charged with contempt of court on Feb. 11.

• Ardertcia D. Delbridge, 22, of the 3900 block of West Tr., was charged with breaking & enter w/int to commit felony and grand larceny on Feb. 12.

• Hector L. Diez Jr., 19, of the 200 block of Philray Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 11.

• Joshua L. Fisher, 23, of the 5000 block of Midlothian Tnpk., was charged with profane swearing and intoxication on Feb. 13.

• Anthony Frank, 19, of the 2700 block of Teaberry Drive, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 12.

• Lawrence C. Fraser, 20, of the 1100 block of Commerce St., was charged with abuse and neglect of children on Feb. 12.

• Nilda C. Garcia, 19, of the 2800 block of Broad Rock Blvd., was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 12.

• Ericka D. Garland, 20, of the 3400 block of Granby St., was charged with issuing bad checks <$200> on Feb. 12.

Acevedo backs bill to expand taking of DNA

A controversial bill backed by the top six big city police chiefs in the state and the Texas Police Chief’s Association --which represents all other state police departments -- calls for more DNA testing of criminal suspects. The samples won't come from convicted felons, but instead from people who are arrested.

There's not much the Austin Forensics Lab can compare its DNA evidence against. The state only collects DNA samples from convicted felons or people arrested for violent crimes after their conviction.

"My job is to advocate what I think would be best to keep people safe," said Chief Art Acevedo, Austin Police Department.

Chief Acevedo stresses it’s not enough.

"The more we have in the system, the more folks can be eliminated as suspects and the more folks can be identified as the right suspects," said Chief Acevedo.

He's backing a bill which would allow the state to get DNA samples from anyone arrested and sent to jail on suspicion of a felony down to Class B misdemeanors. Class B misdemeanors include trespassing and DWIs.

"This is absurd you know? They should spend more time solving crime than trying to find more ways to bridge our rights," said Jim Harrington, Texas Civil Rights Project.

Harrington worries the program would turn the justice system upside down and could put an individual’s privacy at risk for exposure.

"Simply by saying it may help us perhaps in some infinitesimal way to solve some crime somewhere in the country is not part of our Constitutional liberty," said Harrington.

Yet solving crimes is exactly why police and law enforcement in general support the program.

"I think it would make a significant impact on being able to solve some crimes," said Cassie Carradine, DNA supervisor at the APD Forensic Lab.

The Austin lab recently matched DNA collected from a local property crime to a man convicted of DWI crime in another state. Now Austin police know who they're looking for.

If the program going before the Legislature this session is approved, all DNA samples collected and analyzed in Austin and across the state will be shared nationally. It’s part of a system referred to as CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which was initiated by the FBI in 1990. CODIS is intended to link suspects to cases and cases to cases.

However, the system as a whole is one that sparks a strong divide within the city.

City Councilmember Mike Martinez says the program pushes legal boundaries by taking DNA samples from suspects instead of convicted criminals. He’s upset because he says Chief Acevedo didn't talk to the city before putting his support behind the program.

There’s also division in the community.

"I think the government needs to stay out of a whole lot of stuff," said one concerned woman.

"I wouldn't mind as long as I'm not being framed. It'd be a way of stopping (my conviction), right?" said Andy Sharp, who supports the program.

"I would feel a little resentful toward the government. I feel it's a little intrusive," said Lee Gresham, who opposes the program.

According to the bill, if charges are dropped against an individual, their DNA information is supposed to be deleted from the system database. Chief Acevedo says the database could be audited to ensure its integrity.

If the bill is approved, Texas could start taking DNA samples from people arrested on suspicion of felonies as soon as 2010 and as soon as 2012 for those arrested for Class B misdemeanors.

Last year, about 870,000 people were arrested statewide on those types of offenses.

The program is expected to cost about $32 million to begin. However, with the economic stresses, some say it’s unlikely to pass with a price tag that high.

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Chesterfield

The following information was provided to The Progress-Index by the Chesterfield County Police Department.

• Alex K. McCrary, 19, of the 10200 block of Oakdell Drive, was charged with carrying concealed weapon - 1st offense, enumeration - loud and disturbing noises and possession of marijuana on Feb. 1.

• Walter G. Melendez, 29, of the 3400 block of Ritter St., was charged with carrying concealed weapon - 1st offense and petit larceny on Feb. 1.

• Marcus A. Padua, 39, of the 13900 block of Deer Thicket Lane, was charged with felonious assault on Feb. 1.

• Christopher M. Richardson, 21, of the 1700 block of Sandlewood Court, was charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit felony and contributing to the delinquency of a minor on Feb. 1.

• Tameka M. Ross, 19, of the 100 block of Redmead Lane, was charged with possession of marijuana and premises deemed nuisance - 1st offense on Feb. 1.

• Anthony R. Smith, 39, of the 12000 block of Ridgegreen Drive, was charged with two counts of revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 1.

• Dayle Z. Williams, 49, of the 2400 block of Brady St., was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 1.

• Sean P. Wilson, 19, of the 10400 block of Antwerp Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 1.

• John W. Anderson, 22, of the 1100 block of Suburban Village Loop, was charged with grand larceny on Feb. 2.

• Sarah Broughman, 19, of the 1600 block of Dorset Meadows Court, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 2.

• Juan Carillo, 41, of the 2300 block of Schenley Drive, was charged with principal-2nd degree, accessory before the fact and produce, distribute, finance - child pornography on Feb. 2.

• Nicholas O. Cartledge, 23, of the 5200 block of Delta Place, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 2.

• Carlos H. Dasiva, 19, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 2.

• Chad A. Depriest, 19, of the 2900 block of W. Strathmore Road, was charged with credit card theft, grand larceny, petit larceny and possession of marijuana on Feb. 2.

• Santos V. Galeas, 29, of the 8200 block of Den Bark Drive, was charged with DUI - third or subsequent offense and false identify self to law enforcement on Feb. 2.

• Dennis V. Hardaway Jr., 31, of the 800 block of W. Harbour Drive, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 2.

• Deandre O. Johnson, 18, of the 100 block of S. Plains Drive, was charged with manuf, sale, possession controlled substance and possession of marijuana on Feb. 2.

• Darryl C. Jones, 24, of the 7500 block of Drexelbrook Road, was charged with concealment, price alter merchandise <$200> on Feb. 2.

• Mescha J. Long, 28, of the 3200 block of Midlothian Tnpk., was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 2.

• Travis C. Mitchell, of the 16100 block of Hampton Summit Drive, was charged with conspiracy to Violate Drug Control Act - felony, two counts of distribution of drugs to minor and two counts of sale, distribute marijuana on Feb. 2.

• Deshaun Morris, 27, of the 4700 block of Fox Rest Drive, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 2.

• Eulalio Salazar Jolon, 41, of the 2400 block of Marina Drive, was charged with hit and run - personal injury, attended property on Feb. 2.

• Travanti C. Smith, 20, of the 19800 block of Thelma Ave., was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 2.

• Josafat M. Solorio, 22, of the 2100 block of Willoughby Court, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 2.

• Fredy A. Tomasino-Figueroa, 25, of the 5100 block of Timbercreek Drive, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 2.

• Jessica D. Videtto, 22, of the 900 block of W. Poythress St.,, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 2.

• Michael M. Welton Jr., 32, of the 700 block of Ccc Road, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, crimes against nature and grand larceny on Feb. 2.

• Andrew M. West, 31, of the 100 block of Findley Square, was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 2.

• Alex C. Altizer, 35, of the 11800 block of Bollingbrook Drive, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 3.

• Chris W. Ballard, 46, of the 3200 block of 3228 Garrett St., was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 3.

• Shelby L. Belcher, 50, of the 6600 block of Pocahontas Tl., was charged with issuing bad checks <$200> on Feb. 3.

• Victoria S. Brown, 19, of the 2200 block of Walcott Place, was charged with contempt of court on Feb. 3.

• Andrew H. Edwards, 22, of the 4400 block of Greenbriar Drive, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 3.

• Scott N. Edwards, 28, of the 4400 block of Greenbriar Drive, was charged with obstructing justice on Feb. 3.

• Morice L. Fulton, 26, of the 14900 block of Creekpointe Circle, was charged with assault & battery - family member, discharge of firearm in or around school and reckless handling of firearm chesterfield 02/03/2009 02/03/2009 23:00 patrol officer 353

• Ronald A. Horton Jr., 27, of the 700 block of Cliffside Drive, was charged with petit larceny, revocation of suspended sentence and probation and fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 3.

• Mark G. Hugenberg, 43, of the 9500 block of Kendrick Road, was charged with contempt of court on Feb. 3.

• Dean A. Jones, 41, of the 7500 block of Autumnleaf Court, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 3.

• Jenee R. Langston, 21, of the 1600 block of Selma Place, was charged with felonious assault, robbery and use or display firearm in commission of felony on Feb. 3.

• Orlando F. McCain, 37, of the 12000 block of Corianna Lane, was charged with concealment, price alter merchandise <$200> on Feb. 3.

• John P. McIntyre, 46, of the 2900 block of Speeks Drive, was charged with enumeration - loud and disturbing noises on Feb. 3.

• Raymond A. Messier IV, 25, of the 12300 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy., was charged with assault & battery - family member, destruction of property, monument - value <$1,000> and escape without force by misdemeanant on Feb. 3.

• Russell E. Newton, 46, of the 5000 block of Woodpecker Road, was charged with assault & battery - m on Feb. 3.

• Joshua L. Payne, 22, of the 8800 block of Piels Road, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 3.

• Bonnie C. Pinette, 48, of the 1700 block of Linda carol Drive, was charged with destruction of property, monument on Feb. 3.

• Chimere R. Price, 29, of the 2600 block of Mangowood Drive, was charged with assault & battery - m on Feb. 3.

• Elfido E. Ramirez-Gramajo, 24, of the 3100 block of Parkdale Road, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 3.

• Jason E. Roberts, 29, of the 4600 block of Valley Crest Drive, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 3.

• Shanice Shepperson, 21, of the 5800 block of Orcutt Lane, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 3.

• Patrick H. Simmons, 29, of the 3900 block of Resting Place, was charged with assault & battery - m and felonious assault on Feb. 3.

• Richard J. Smith, 32, of the 4100 block of Mallard Landing Circle, was charged with operate motor vehicle - habitual offender no endangerment on Feb. 3.

• Jerry R. Valentine, 24, of the 5200 block of Castlewood Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 3.

• Jamie L. Wilkins, 29, of the 13100 block of Grub Hill Church Road, was charged with violate protective orders on Feb. 3.

• Molly R. Zimmerman, 18, of the 1900 block of Esquire Road, was charged with petit larceny and unlawful purchase or possess alcoholic beverage on Feb. 3.

• Larkie D. Barker II, 27, of the 10500 block of Beaver Bridge Road, was charged with contempt of court on Feb. 4.

• John J. Coughlin III, 46, of the 1600 block of Kingsland Road, was charged with violate condition of release on Feb. 4.

• Alonza A. Ellis Jr., 27, of the 7000 block of Windy Creek Circle, was charged with assault & battery-police officer/firefighter on Feb. 4.

• Deshanna Ford, 27, of the 1600 block of Rosecrest Ave., was charged with concealment, price alter merchandise <$200> on Feb. 4.

• Steven M. Friel, 40, of the 13900 block of Cox Road, was charged with concealment, price alter merchandise <$200> and petit larceny - 3rd offense on Feb. 4.

• Braulio R. Garcia-Fuentes, 21, of the 10900 block of Midlothian Tnpk., was charged with grand larceny and possession of burglary tools on Feb. 4.

• Nathaniel A. Haynes, 21, of the 5100 block of Timbercreek Drive, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 4.

• Stephen L. Holloway, 28, of the 3800 block of Old Buckingham Road, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 4.

• Quinton R. Hunt, 26, of the 800 block of Overbrook Road, was charged with embezzlement <$200> on Feb. 4.

• Elizabeth A. Jones, 31, of the 4600 block of Glen Tara Drive, was charged with obtaining drugs by fraud on Feb. 4.

• Tonika K. Lee, 30, of the 6700 block of Darlington Heights Road, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation chesterfield 08/25/2008 02/04/2009 16:22 other 000

• Jose Martinez, 20, of the 10900 block of Midlothian Tnpk., was charged with conspire to commit larceny <$200> and grand larceny on Feb. 4.

• Tarecka L. McLean, 31, of the 9500 block of 21st Bay St., was charged with possession of marijuana, conspire to commit larceny <$200> and grand larceny on Feb. 4.

• Gene E. Moreley, 38, of the 800 block of W. 41st St., was charged with possession of marijuana, conspire to commit larceny <$200> and grand larceny on Feb. 4.

• Justin B. Noble, 31, of the 2300 block of Krossridge Court, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 4.

• Samuel D. Notario, 25, of the 2600 block of Drewrys Bluff Road, was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 4.

• Keith H. Pettiford, 19, of the 7400 block of Kentucky Derby Drive, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor on Feb. 4.

• Elijiwan D. Rose, 18, of the 8500 block of Hann Road, was charged with contempt of court on Feb. 4.

• Myoshi V. Scott, 29, of the 4100 block of Laurel Oak Road, was charged with assault & battery - family member on Feb. 4.

• Amber L. Spragan, 23, of the 600 block of Collingwood Place, was charged with possession of marijuana, conspire to commit larceny <$200> and grand larceny on Feb. 4.

• Rosemary J. Vanauken, 53, of the 5600 block of Eagle Lake Drive, was charged with trespassing on Feb. 4.

• Wanda G. Wetzel, 26, of the 6300 block of Barrister Road, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 4.

• Stephan B. Williams, 26, of the 1500 block of Winbury Drive, was charged with credit card forgery, credit card fraud, credit card theft and grand larceny on Feb. 4.

• Audrey P. Allen, 26, of the 2000 block of Riverside Drive, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 6.

• Jacob J. Alt, 26, of the 5600 block of Winterleaf Drive, was charged with sale, distribute marijuana on Feb. 6.

• Michael T. Andrews, 19, of the 15200 block of Lebanon Road, was charged with destruction of property, monument on Feb. 5.

• Jonathan M. Austin, 23, of the 12600 block of Queensgate Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 5.

• Jennifer M. Baldwin, 20, of the 6800 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy., was charged with fail to appear on misdemeanor charge on Feb. 5.

• Alan Brasili, 51, of the 4300 block of Stebbins St., was charged with petit larceny on Feb. 5.

• Tanya L. Brown, 32, of the 3900 block of Lamplighter Drive, was charged with credit card fraud <$200> on Feb. 6.

• Tina M. Brown, 41, of the 2500 block of South Ridge Drive, was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 5.

• Tara E. Bryan, 34, of the 6300 block of Old Buckingham Road, was charged with forging, uttering and grand larceny on Feb. 6.

• Jose M. Camacho Gomez, 40, of the 2100 block of Johnson St., was charged with prostitution or solicitation of prostitute on Feb. 5.

• Stephen E. Cardwell, 39, of the 10300 block of W. Alberta St., was charged with stalking on Feb. 5.

• Thomas H. Cary II, 45, of the 7600 block of Sprenkle Court, was charged with issuance of 2 or more bad checks in ninety days on Feb. 5.

• Jimmy L. Coe, 23, of the 2800 block of Parkdale Road, was charged with profane swearing and intoxication on Feb. 5.

• Jennifer L. Crewe, 39, of the 26 block of Courthouse Road, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 6.

• Angelica Cuevas-Mendez, 32, of the 2800 block of Camberwell Road, was charged with keeping or frequenting a bawdy house, money laundering and receiving money from earnings of prostitute on Feb. 5.

• David A. Duncan Jr., 23, of the 12000 block of Hull Street Road, was charged with possession of marijuana on Feb. 6.

• Walter S. Easter, 26, of the 200 block of E. 36th St., was charged with revocation of suspended sentence and probation on Feb. 6.

• Tara D. Frazier, 34, of the 900 block of Saw Drive, was charged with two counts of issuing bad checks <$200> on Feb. 5.

• Emiliano Garcia-Sis, 50, of the 6100 block of Strathmore Road, was charged with keeping or frequenting a bawdy house and receiving money from earnings of prostitute on Feb. 5.

• Brian V. Gibbs-Wilson Jr., 21, of the 4900 block of Lippingham Drive, was charged with giving false report to police officer on Feb. 5.

• Yanira Guerrero-Andrade, 25, of the 8300 block of Sunset Drive, was charged with prostitution or solicitation of on Feb. 5.

• Samantha R. Harrison, 23, of the 3200 block of Broad Rock Blvd., was charged with embezzlement <$200> on Feb. 6.

• Robert P. Hartsfield, 42, of the 11200 block of Arbor Creek Drive, was charged with profane, threatening language over public airway on Feb. 6.

• Cathleen V. Hill, 41, of the 7700 block of Belmont Stakes Drive, was charged with trespassing on Feb. 5.

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Beaumont inmate will serve one year in prison for assault

An 18 year old inmate of Beaumont Juvenile Correction Center was in court Monday for sentencing.

Michael Dennis Austin pleaded guilty to assault on a staff member, an incident the Commonwealth described as “an unprovoked attack.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Beasley asked the court to sentence Austin within sentencing guidelines, while defense attorney William Blandford asked that Austin be returned to the juvenile facility, saying “the totality of his life is not pristine, but it’s not the worst.”

Judge Thomas V. Warren sentenced Austin to five years in prison with four suspended for a period of 10 years.

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Sobriety Checkpoints Could Be In Store For Texas

Representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving are in Austin asking for lawmakers to crack down on drunk driving. They are asking for strict rules that would require ignition locks for anyone already convicted of drunk driving.
But it’s another possibility that's making some angry. What is making human rights activists upset is the idea of sobriety checkpoints used to catch drunk drivers and according to some, invade the privacy of thousands.
“We don’t want another family to go through what we have gone through.”
It’s been 2 years since Rosie and Americo Moncada lost their son David in a car accident. The father of two was hit and killed by a drunk driver at only 32 years of age.
“Not until it hit home are you aware of the magnitude our lives are forever altered its not the same.”
His parents are now pleading with lawmakers to create stricter laws to help catch drunk drivers before they can take the lives of others. People like the Moncada family says every single effort to take drunk drivers off the street should be made but not everyone seems to agree.
“Once you try to make these things legal and say this is the exception to the constitution there should be no exceptions to the constitution,” says A.C.L.U. representative David Almaraz.
Bills being presented to legislatures include setting up sobriety checkpoints throughout the state. David Almaraz of the American Civil Liberties Union says the efforts have gone too far and could now even be an invasion of privacy.
“Once you make exception where do you go from there. From there you have exceptions for drug type checkpoints.”
Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving claim repeat D.W.I. offenses would be reduced by 64% and could prevent up to 200 deaths per year and say they will keep pushing for new laws until something is done.
“Even if in our lifetime we don’t get this bill as long as we bring out the awareness were gonna keep at it were going to keep at it its what our son would want.”
Currently Texas is one of 11 states that by law cannot conduct sobriety checkpoints.
Almaraz says studies he's read show that such checkpoints could cost thousands of dollars per month to operate and believes it is still not as effective.

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