CRIME & PUNISHMENT | From The Examiner

Suspect back in jail after system transition facilitates release

As reported in the March 30 Examiner newspaper, alleged predator/schemer Billy Lynn Woolley was marked released from the Jefferson County Jail as of March 22 despite a judge’s 2022 order for an increased bond amount due to the suspect’s alleged continued criminal activity while out on prior felony bonds. However, it was later learned that the defendant was released after posting only half of the $300,000 bond jail staff reported the defendant paid due to a error in transitioning paperwork on the new records system. 

Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens reports that Woolley’s recent absence from the county jail roster as of March 30 is not due to his release from jail, though – as his release from custody was short-lived and confined to mere “hours” – but due to the same system upgrade that resulted in the bonding error that facilitated Woolley’s brief release in the first place.

“MIS is currently reporting connectivity issues,” Stephens advised on March 30, advising that the information technologists are hard at work on integrating a new system in Jefferson County that will allow for enhanced services once fully functional. “This system is going to be really good when it’s all ironed out.”

As of press time, Woolley was back under the control of the Jefferson County Jail staff – with bond securely set at $400,000, according to Stephens.

Fifty-year prison sentence handed down on man who shot wife nine times

A local man received a 50-year prison term after he pled guilty to shooting and killing his wife 37-year-old Ashley Barlow, who was a probation officer in Southeast Texas at the time of her murder.

According to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, Terry Barlow, 54, of Beaumont, pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife that took place on Oct. 23, 2021, in the 600 block of Langham Street. Police found the woman dead with several gunshot wounds to her chest.

Before sentencing, the court heard from the lead Beaumont Police Detective Yvette Borrero, the second victim of aggravated assault, and finally from Ashley Barlow’s sister, who is now raising the Barlow children. 

252nd Criminal District Judge Raquel West sentenced Barlow to the maximum under the plea agreement, 50 years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison.

Barlow was also sentenced to the maximum punishment available for the aggravated assault of shooting at a second victim, which was 20 years in prison. Because the shootings were in the same criminal episode, the sentences by law had to run concurrently.

Surveillance video from two businesses across the street from the murder scene showed Barlow shot his wife nine times at point blank range as she pleaded for herself and her children. The evidence additionally showed that Barlow returned to the scene of the murder and surrendered. 

“The videos showed the heinous nature of this crime,” Jefferson County prosecutor Phillip Smith stated, pointing to the number of times Barlow pulled the trigger on his dying wife “at point blank range, the last three as she lay on the ground under him.”

“She begged him for her life and the life of her babies, as he screamed that it was her fault,” Smith said. “This was a senseless and brutal murder.”

“They were married for a long time and they had their ups and downs in their marriage,” Barlow’s attorney offered to the court before sentencing, asking for leniency. “This has affected both families … and the kids. They lost their mother. Now, they’re about to lose their father.”

Kountze man among trio of suspected LA mail swipers

A Hardin County man was among two people arrested in cases involving stolen and forged checks in Louisiana.

According to Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) Financial Crimes detectives, in August and September, the department received multiple complaints in reference to checks that had been left in blue U.S. Postal Service drop boxes being altered and fraudulently deposited into accounts other than the intended payees.

During the investigation, detectives identify three suspects who were involved: Marcus D. Hafford, Jr., 23, of Kountze; Danna P. Saldierna, 20, of Houston; and Alexis M. Watler, 28, of Lake Charles.  

The investigation revealed Hafford met individuals through social media and convinced them to give him their bank account information with the promise of receiving money. He would deposit the stolen and altered checks into the individuals’ accounts that he met on social media. The account holders would give half the money to the suspects involved by paying them with cash or via electronic funds transfers.    

Between January and March 2023, CPSO detectives issued warrants for the arrests of trio. Feb. 7, detectives arrested Saldierna; and, March 13, detectives arrested Hafford. Both were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, and each was charged with prohibited activities racketeering, theft from $5,000 to $25,000, and illegal transmission of monetary funds.

Hafford was additionally charged with two counts of forgery (one of which was a separate warrant for a separate incident). 

Judge Derrick Kee set Saldierna’s bond at $70,000 and Judges Clayton Davis and Tony Fazzio setting Hafford’s bonds totaling $61,500. Hafford was later released.

Detectives are currently attempting to locate Watler, who is wanted for prohibited activities racketeering, theft from $5,000 to $25,000, and illegal transmission of monetary funds. Judge Derrick Kee set Watler’s bond at $70,000. 

If anyone knows Watler’s whereabouts, they are asked to call CPSO at (337) 491-3605. CPSO stated the investigation is ongoing with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office and the department expects more arrests.

Woman arrested for Orange man’s murder

A woman was arrested for the April 1 fatal shooting in the 1800 block of Church Street in Orange.

Detective Sgt. Nick Medina reported Shontasia Dia'Nay Garrett, 28, was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail for murder; her bond was set at $1 million. 

Medina stated Orange Police Department (OPD) officers responded to the scene and found a male lying in the roadway suffering from a gunshot wound. Medina said the victim, later identified as Dalvin Levi, 25, was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont, where he later died. 

Beaumont woman guilty of Louisiana child sex crimes

April 3, a Beaumont woman pleaded guilty to two counts of promoting prostitution, pornography involving juveniles and trafficking children for sexual purposes in the 14th Judicial District Court, reported the American Press in Lake Charles.

Amber Nicole Manning, 39, was sentenced to 25 years in prison without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. She will be required to register as a sex offender.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Louisiana State Police.

In June 2019, Manning was indicted on charges of trafficking children for sexual purposes, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, pornography involving juveniles, two counts of promoting prostitution and enticing persons into prostitution, according to a Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Suspected church burglar nabbed looting school

Twelve days after being arrested for a church burglary, a 22-year-old man was nabbed again on April 3.

According to the Beaumont Police Department (BPD), Jesse Edward Scott of Beaumont was arrested for burglary at 2 a.m. when BPD officers and a K-9 unit assisted Beaumont ISD Police on an alarm at Fletcher Elementary School.

Scott was caught with electronic goods, clothing and even paperwork containing personal identifying information of numerous students; he was arrested and booked for burglary of a building. Bond was set at $7,500. 

A similar computer error allowing for a suspected sex offender to be released on reduced bond from the Jefferson County Jail still reported Scott in county lockup on the prior charges associated with suspected church burglary when he was arrested for the subsequent school burglary.

Feds seek Beaumont probationer

The Beaumont Police Department (BPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in the whereabouts of Keith Allen Fowler Jr.

Fowler, 30, is wanted on two federal warrants that were issued for alleged federal probation violation and possession of firearm by a prohibited person. 

Jan. 18, Fowler and Ty'Keyah A. Coleman, 23, of Beaumont, were both arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Nora. 

Anyone who has information on Fowler is asked to contact BPD at (409) 832-1234 or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-TIPS (8477). All Crime Stoppers Tips are anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

No jail time for bringing gun to high school game

A man was sentenced to five years probation after he admitted bringing a firearm to a Hamshire-Fannett High School football game.

Dylan Kristopher Castaneda of Beaumont was sentenced in Judge Raquel West’s court April 3. West ordered Castaneda forfeit the firearm and he is forbidden to be on campus at any school as part of his probation.

Castaneda brought a 9mm handgun to the game in October.

Vidor PD: Kountze man flees – briefly 

A Kountze man was arrested after fleeing from officers on March 24.

According to the Vidor Police Department (VPD), about 11:15 a.m., officers responded to a wooded area near the Walmart store on Main Street on a report of a verbal disturbance. 

During the investigation, Seth Allen Gilmore, 20, was found to have out-of-county arrest warrants. When Gilmore learned he had a warrant, he fled on foot, police reported. Pursuing officers apprehended the absconder after a brief foot chase and taser deployment. 

Gilmore was transported to the Orange County Correctional Facility.

LPD: Seven nabbed on felony charges

Seven people were arrested on felony charges, according to the Lumberton Police Department.

April 3, LPD arrested Charles A. Casino, 45, for possession of marijuana, 4 ounces to 5 lbs. (state) and possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, 1-4 grams (third degree); Dallas L. McKenzie, 23, for possession of marijuana, 4 ounces to 5 lbs. (state) and possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 2, 4-400 grams (second degree); and Keith Giggles, 27, theft of firearm (state).

April 2, LPD arrested Matthew A. Clayton, 43, for unlawful possession of firearm by felon (third degree) and possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, less than 1 gram (state).

April 1, LPD arrested Juma Keto White, 35, for DWI, third or more (third degree)

March 31, LPD arrested Robert Dwain Bagwell, 33, for assault (third degree).

March 29, LPD arrested Shannon Jordan Brown, 44, for DWI with child under age 15 (state); and Kelvin Grant Alexander, 22, for unauthorized use of a vehicle and burglar of a building, both state jail felonies.

What’s my name?

The Beaumont Police Department (BPD) is looking for information on a female suspect who presented a forged check at the DuGood Federal Credit Union on March 3.

BPD said the woman was driving a black Nissan Altima.

Any person who has information on the suspect can contact BPD at (409) 832-1234 or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-TIPS (8477). All Crime Stoppers Tips are anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward.