Brooklyn Garrett and Dazani Matherson, both 17-year-old Beaumont ISD West Brook High School students, were arrested and indicted Nov. 5 on third-degree felony charges of stalking a fellow student. Each now face court appearances in adult felony court for alleged crimes committed against the fellow student while at school, online, and in the community.
According to the probable cause affidavit for the suspects’ arrest, a 17-year-old student, identified as a special needs student due to a medical condition, reported to Beaumont PD that she had been harassed and stalked over the course of a year by the two suspects on campus, at her place of employment, her residence, and via electronic communication.
The alleged incidents included numerous contacts that were verbal, physical, and electronic; the victim asserted that the suspects have repeatedly threatened bodily injury against the teenage victim and her mother, a local elected official.
Not only was a cease-and-desist order was placed on both offenders, but the victim also had her class schedule and lunch period changed to avoid the suspects. Still, Garrett and Matherson then reportedly skipped class and attended the victim’s classes, as well as lunch period, for the specific purpose of harassing and threatening.
According to the victim, the suspects approached her at work, and physically threatened her by circling her at the cash register and stated they would fight her.
The victim reported numerous incidents to the school and had to have a BISD police officer escort her to protect her from the offenders. Sept. 24, the victim was escorted to the school parking lot by a BISD officer, where the suspects had skipped class and were waiting on her. The suspects reportedly harassed, threatened, and intimidated the victim, calling her names like “retard” and made derogatory statements about the color of her skin.
The victim is identified as a special needs person due to a traumatic brain injury. She has reportedly suffered panic attacks due to the constant threats, harassment, and intimidation. On at least one occasion, EMS had to be summoned to treat the victim at the school due to a severe panic attack.
Garrett and Matherson were both released on bond and now face stalking charges, a third-degree felony. If convicted, each face 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Also indicted Nov. 5 was Derrick Paul Corbin, 38, of Beaumont, for the Oct. 25 robbery of the Whataburger restaurant at 3575 College St.
According to the probable cause affidavit for Corbin’s arrest, Beaumont PD responded to reports of an active robbery at the restaurant, where the cashier stated that the suspect walked into the business, approached the register, set his backpack on the counter and said “put the mother******* money in the bag,” while holding what the clerk believed to be a gun in the right hand sleeve of his hoodie.
The cashier stated she was in fear for her life. Officers observed a large, black-handled lighter in the suspect’s possession. At press time, Corbin remained in custody at the Jefferson County jail with a bond set at $250,000.