mud at a Tyler County residence ended up in an East Texas jail on multiple charges when Tyler County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies responded to a burglary in process call around noon on Feb. 16.
TCSO Sheriff Bryan Weatherford reported that deputies were patrolling the Warren area when they received the burglary in progress call, arriving at the scene to find Brandon Don Kerr, 39, Shelby Brooke Smith, 29, and Derek Glenn O’Haver, 27, all of Sour Lake, attempting to pull a vehicle stuck on the property.
O’Haver told deputies the vehicle belonged to him, and witnesses added to the tale. According to witness statements to police, the vehicle hooked up the trio’s hitch was stuck in the mud on the previous day and did not belong to the owner of the residence – but could indeed belong to culprits responsible for the home being broken into the same day the mystery car appeared in the mud. The witnesses further advised that they had secured the burgled residence and other buildings on the property that were also looted, and also advised of items missing from the property itself.
O’Haver and his friends claiming connection to the car proved to added connection to assorted crimes deputies were noting at the scene. The trio was trying to pull the vehicle with one-ton hoist taken from a building on the property, and investigators located more stolen items from the residence inside the vehicle as the search continued.
Also in the vehicle, deputies located a methamphetamine pipe for which Smith claimed possession – under an assumed name. When deputies attempted to arrest the alleged meth toker, the defendant now known as Smith attempted an unsuccessful flight from custody. Deputies later discovered Smith’s real identity, as well as a warrant out of Orange County for violation of bond conditions. It was additionally discovered that O’Haver is no stranger to the criminal justice system either, and is currently on parole with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
After transport, deputies searched the back seat of the patrol car where Smith and O’Haver were seated and discovered a small plastic bag containing a “crystal like substance,” which-field tested positive for methamphetamines.
Kerr, Smith and O’Haver were each charged with engaging in organized criminal activity (first-degree felony), burglary of a habitation (second-degree felony), and burglary of a building (state jail felony). Kerr’s bond was set at $95,000 by Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Mike Hughes.
Smith was also charged with evading arrest or detention, failure to identify, and possession of drug paraphernalia, all Class A misdemeanors; and possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group 1, (state jail felony).
Smith and O’Haver were also each charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance Penalty Group 1, meth, both third-degree felonies. Smith’s bond was set at $115,000, and O’Haver’s bond was set at $110,000.