local crime

Climbing COVID cases close courthouse to jury trials, but wheels of justice still turn

Make no mistake, the absence of jury trials at the Jefferson County Courthouse poses a real problem to defendants seeking speedy access to their day in court, attorneys argued via Zoom the week of Jan. 24.

Murder-for-hire plotter pleads guilty

A Port Arthur-dwelling Honduran national pleaded guilty to a murder-for-hire plot aimed at eliminating his mother-in-law and brother-in-law back in Honduras, according to an announcement released Jan. 19 from the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s office.

Fireworks store owner guilty in drug trafficking conspiracy

Two Southeast Texas men, including the owner of the Jake’s Fireworks business, have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations committed from the Mid County property, according to an announcement from Eastern District of Texas U.S.Attorney Brit Featherston on Jan. 18.