Crime News: Week of Jan. 6

Convenience store
criminal sentenced

A Beaumont man has been sentenced to prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston on Jan. 4.

Moses Ray Rhine, Jr., 21, pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2021, to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison Jan. 4 by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to court documents, from Jan. 11, 2021 through Jan. 21, 2021, Rhine and others conspired to commit armed robberies of at least five convenience stores located in Southeast Texas. The stores were all engaged in interstate commerce that employed clerks who were engaged in the commercial activities of the stores at the time of the robberies. Each store was equipped with functioning surveillance cameras that recorded the robberies. Local and federal agents interviewed Rhine and he confessed to his role in the robberies. The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery affecting interstate commerce. Rhine was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 2, 2021.

Felon sentenced to
federal confinement

Darrell Jordan, 23, pleaded guilty on July 12, 2021, to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison Jan. 4 by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to court documents, on June 4, 2020, Beaumont police responded to a call in reference to an assault at a local hotel. Officers were shown photos of the victim in the hotel parking lot near a maroon Escalade. Officers located the vehicle in the parking lot of the Executive Inn Hotel in Beaumont and knocked on the nearest hotel room door where the vehicle was parked and Jordan answered. While interviewing the other occupants of the room, police observed a revolver in plain view. Jordan told police he was a convicted felon and was taken into custody. Detectives also found two additional firearms in the room near Jordan’s shoes. As a convicted felon, Jordan is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Jordan was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 3, 2021, and charged with federal firearms violations.

According to a Beaumont Police Department news release from June 8, 2020, officers responded to a report of a missing juvenile at the Petro Truck Stop on Walden Road.Officers searched several hotels in the area in an attempt to locate the victim and eventually received information that the victim was seen at the Executive Inn. There, the officers located the missing victim, along with a second juvenile, with Jordan. According to the release, evidence on scene indicated human trafficking and BPD Special Crimes Detectives responded to the scene.

BPD investigates
New Year’s murders

Beaumont Police Department (BPD) officers are investigating two homicides that took place on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

According to a news release, BPD officers responded to a welfare check at 7:25 p.m. for 34-year-old Beaumont resident Joshua Yates, who ran for mayor in 2019. Officers say they located Yates deceased in his home, and the investigation is ongoing.

“If you have information about this investigation, contact the Beaumont Police Department (at) (409) 832-1234,” officers wrote. “If you wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a possible cash reward, contact Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas. Call (409)833-TIPS, log on to 833TIPS.com, or use the P3 TIPS app and submit your tip using a smartphone or tablet. All tips to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas will remain anonymous and you may qualify for a cash reward.”

Just over 24 hours later, at about 11:52 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, BPD officers responded to Taylor Street in reference to a shooting. Responding officers found 30-year-old Beaumont resident Felton Jones dead in the driver’s side of a gray Chevrolet Malibu.

“The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was parked outside of a residence, and several gunshots were heard by witnesses,” officers reported. “Detectives are in the early stages of the investigation, and it is ongoing.”

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Beaumont Police Department at (409) 832-1234. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.

Stabbing on 13th Street investigated

Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD) officers reportedly responded to a stabbing that occured in the 1000 block of W. 13th St. on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

At about 5:11 p.m., officers discovered that a 29-year-old Port Arthur resident had been stabbed in the torso by an unknown suspect, according to a news release penned by PAPD Sgt. Shannon Meaux.

“The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived,” officers reported. “The victim was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment for his non-life threatening injuries.”

This case is currently being investigated by the PAPD Criminal Investigations Division.

Family violence officers search for Beaumonter

Family violence detectives with the Beaumont Police Department (BPD) are asking for the public’s assistance locating a woman with an active warrant for harassment and family violence.

BPD detectives are searching for 37-year-old Rosemary Antownette Pollard, also known as Rosemary Simien, according to a news release.

Pollard/Simien has an active Jefferson County warrant for harassment/family violence, and anyone who knows where she can be located is asked to call BPD at (409) 832-1234 or submit an anonymous tip to Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-TIPS(8477). Tips may also be made through the P3 Tips app on a smartphone. Tipsters will not be asked for a name and may be eligible for a cash reward.

PAPD issues scam alert

The Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD) Criminal Investigations Division would like all persons in the Southeast Texas area to pay extra close attention when receiving money orders, according to a scam alert.

“Recently, a group of individuals were caught buying Western Union money orders for $1.00, then altering the amount to a higher value,” officers reported. “They would then attempt to cash the fraudulent money orders. These individuals have been identified and have cases pending.

“These forgeries, while not perfect, are passable if not inspected thoroughly. Remember that most institutions which sell money orders usually have a way to verify the money order legitimacy and amount.”

Orange residents arrested with drugs, guns near school

Wednesday, Jan. 5, the Orange Regional Tactical Response Team executed a narcotics search warrant in the 1100 block of 9th Street in Orange. This investigation was led by the City of Orange Narcotic Division and West Orange Police Department and assisted by Orange County Constable Precinct 1.

Upon completion of the search warrant, detectives located over four grams of cocaine, over four grams of heroin, over 100 grams of Adderall, and two firearms.

A 32-year-old male identified as Richard Earl Thomas and a 30-year-old female identified as Markeira Hebert were arrested from the residence. Both were jailed for possession of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school (Felony 1) for the cocaine, possession of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school (Felony 1) for the heroin, possession of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school (Felony 1) for the Adderall, and Thomas was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by felon (Felony 2).