2007 Annual Report Department of Public Safety

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 1 Mission Statement

The broad objective of this Department is “to maintain public safety in the state of Texas.”

The Department works toward this goal within existing regu- lations and in cooperation with other agencies with mutual or related responsibilities.

The DPS seeks to preserve order by protecting lives, rights, property and privileges of the residents of this state.

The Department continues to uphold its motto: “Courtesy, Service, Protection.”

Director’s Message

Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of Texas and Members of the : We are pleased to present the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2007 Annual Report. This report contains valuable information about DPS and its activities in 2007, including: • Installation of in-car computers for troopers—an excep- tional item from 2007 (page 7) • Helicopter rescues during flooding—additional helicopters were an exceptional item from 2007 (page 8) • Numerous arrests of dangerous criminals (pages 9 through Col. Thomas A. Lt. Col. David 32) Davis Jr. McEathron • The Driver Responsibility Program entered its fourth year (pages 33-35) The Department is led by a • Additional recruiting efforts to attract more trooper appli- director and assistant director cants are starting to pay off (page 44) who oversee the agency’s day- • The Department responded to many natural disasters (page to-day operations. The director 47-51) is appointed by the Public Safety Commission and must Respectfully submitted, have at least five years of law By: enforcement or public adminis- tration experience. The director serves the commission in an Thomas A. Davis Jr., Director advisory capacity. The director and carries the rank of colonel and The Texas Public Safety Commission the assistant director carries the rank of colonel.

2 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Public Safety Commission

The Texas Public Safety Members of the Commis- Antonio. Commissioner Sturns Commission oversees Depart- sion in 2007 were Chairman left the commission in August ment operations. The Commis- Ernest Angelo, Jr. of Midland, and Elizabeth Anderson joined sion is made up of three Texas Louis E. Sturns of Fort Worth the commission in November. citizens appointed by the and Allan B. Polunsky of San Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Commissioners are appointed based on qualifi- cations, including knowl- edge of laws, experience with law enforcement, executive ability, honesty, integrity, education and training. Members serve staggered six-year terms Ernest Angelo, Jr. Louis E. Sturns Allan B. Polunsky Elizabeth Anderson without compensation. Chairman Office of Audit and Inspection

The Office of Audit and made to improve Department processed more than 527 fleet Inspection (OAI) provides the operations. collision reports and 340 fleet Public Safety Commission and incident reports. Department management with Inspection The Chief Inspector chaired independent, objective assess- In fiscal year 2007, OAI the Awards Committee, which ments of the accountability, inspectors conducted inspec- is responsible for reviewing and integrity, effectiveness and tions of law enforcement opera- processing all Department efficiency of the Department’s tions in two performance awards. During programs and operations. Based Division regions, one Driver fiscal year 2007, the Awards on audit and inspection find- License Division region, two Committee approved four ings, OAI also makes recom- Criminal Law Enforcement Purple Heart awards, five mendations to management for districts and one Ranger com- Medals of Merit and 11 improving the programs and pany. During this same period, Director’s Citations for presen- operations reviewed. inspections of nine Headquar- tation to Department employ- ters operations were conducted. ees. Twenty-five Director’s Internal Audit The inspectors also completed Awards were given to private In fiscal year 2007, Internal one headquarters fiscal study citizens or personnel of other Audit completed nine risk- and one special inspection. As a agencies. (Please see list of based audits, nine follow-up result of these activities, 188 Department award recipients on audits, 12 Criminal Law En- recommendations for improve- page 56.) forcement Division—Narcotics ment were developed. Finally, inspectors taught Service Imprest Fund and Inspectors also served the numerous law enforcement Seized Assets audits, 74 Driver Department in a number of training classes at the DPS License office audits and 11 other areas. As in previous Training Academy as well as at petty cash audits. Based on the years, an inspector chaired the other police agency academies. findings of the audits, numer- Accident Review Board. In fiscal ous recommendations were year 2007, the review board

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 3 Texas Highway Patrol Division

The Texas Highway Patrol cause traffic collisions and Detector Canine Program, the (THP) Division is primarily contribute to pollution. Vehicle Explosive Detector Canine responsible for enforcing the Inspection employees are Program, the Regional Honor state’s traffic laws. The division authorized to detect and take Guard and 16 Civil Disturbance is divided into eight regional appropriate enforcement action Management teams. commands headquartered in against anyone in violation of Austin (Capitol), Corpus Texas laws. Biohazard investigation Christi, Garland, , The Communications near Capitol Lubbock, McAllen, Midland Service operates a statewide The day before the State and Waco. network designed to serve the Legislature convened, Capitol The THP Division, led by communications requirements troopers received reports of Chief Randall Elliston, has 4,011 of all criminal justice agencies. large numbers of dead birds employees—2,706 commis- The system utilizes radio, falling from trees on Congress sioned officers and 1,305 civil- telephone and landline telecom- Avenue. Emergency personnel ian support personnel. munication systems to connect were summoned and the DPS The division is comprised of with the Texas Crime Informa- Emergency Operations Center the Highway Patrol Service, the tion Center, National Crime was activated. Troopers pre- Commercial Vehicle Enforce- Information Center and other pared to evacuate any state ment (CVE) Service, the Vehicle law enforcement databases. The employees, state officials or Inspection Service and the Department has 34 communi- others out of the threatened Communications Service. cations facilities that operate 24 area if required. The Highway Patrol Service hours a day. Congress Avenue between secures and maintains order on The THP Division also Cesar Chavez and Eleventh Texas highways to ensure the includes several units that streets reopened at 12:30 p.m. safety of the motoring public. handle a variety of specialized after any threat to public safety The Service is responsible for functions: the Governor Protec- was ruled out. Biological public safety education and tive Detail, the Dive Recovery samples sent to laboratories at police and security functions for Team, the State Accident Re- Texas A&M and the Centers for the State Capitol and the Capi- construction Team, the Drug Disease Control and Prevention tol complex. CVE weighs and checks commercial vehicle traffic operating on Texas roadways to ensure compliance with statutes related to vehicle weight, motor carrier safety and the registra- tion and transportation of persons, hazardous material and other property. The Vehicle Inspection Service supervises all official inspection stations throughout Texas to help keep roadways safe and the environment clean by requiring vehicles to be inspected annually for condi- tions or defects that might Troopers and other first responders in downtown Austin await the all-clear after numerous dead birds were found on Congress Avenue in mid-January.

4 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report showed that the birds died from the cold weather and as a result of natural causes. The following day, the Legislature convened as sched- uled.

Escaped inmates captured In February, Tr. Johnny Massey, HP Athens, initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with a defective head lamp inside the Athens city limits. When Tr. Massey reached the vehicle, the driver accelerated and drove to a nearby residential area where the driver and passenger both In March, Tr. Ramey Saenz, CVE Riviera, responded to a commercial vehicle crash on fled on foot. US-77 in Nueces County. The Health Department also arrived on the scene to confirm After troopers established a that the load of popcorn shrimp had spoiled. After removing the first two pallets of perimeter, they discovered that shrimp, 987.8 pounds of cocaine and 68.46 pounds of methamphetamine were found both men were escapees from hidden within the load. The driver and female passenger were transported to the the Van Zandt County Jail and hospital. that the vehicle was stolen out of Canton. The Texas Depart- Counterfeit inspection transporting large quantities of ment of Criminal Justice pro- stickers discovered currency to El Paso. Tr. vided dogs that tracked the An undercover investigation Brookshier saw multiple indica- subjects to a local business area lasting five months netted the tors of possible criminal activity where they were taken back recovery of more than 1,453 and obtained verbal consent to into custody. counterfeit Texas Vehicle In- search the vehicle. He used a spection reports. Tr. Rhyan C. canine, Karo, provided by Tr. Cockfighting ring busted Droddy, Tr. Johnnie Freeman Jay Hawkins, CVE El Paso, and In March, Tr. Derek Leitner and Cpl. Kevin McNeil, all of seized $2,256,059 in U.S. and Tr. Brian Ihnen, HP New the HP office in Houston, led currency that was found behind Caney, received a tip from a the investigation. Investigators a flat-screen television set. citizen about a large cockfight- eventually arrested a man who ing ring in Splendora, Mont- was attempting to smuggle Kidnapper captured gomery County. The troopers 11,000 counterfeit Texas Motor On August 1, Tr. Gerald found a large arena with a Vehicle Inspection Certificates Corbell, CVE Center, heard a rooster fight in progress. Of the into the . The radio broadcast about a robbery 80 people detained, 29 were certificates had an estimated and kidnapping in Shelby determined to be illegal aliens street value of $1.3 million. County. He assisted the Shelby and were turned over to Immi- County Sheriff’s Office by gration and Customs Enforce- $2.2 million in cash seized positioning his patrol unit to ment. Citations were issued to In May, Tr. Patrick Brook- create a roadblock. the spectators. The Montgom- shier, HP El Paso, conducted a Tr. Corbell saw the vehicle ery County Precinct 5 Con- traffic stop on the driver of a and suspect, who stopped and stable took 120 roosters into 2005 GMC van traveling west- shouted several times, “Sir, custody. Another 200 roosters bound on US-54 in El Paso please don’t shoot me!” As the were found dead. County. DPS Narcotics had told man accelerated in Tr. Corbell’s Tr. Brookshier that certain direction, the trooper jumped suspects and vehicles were out of the way to avoid being

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 5 CVE Leadership Award Texas was one of only three states nationwide to receive a first-of-its-kind honor for performing more than 200 compliance reviews on motor carriers during federal fiscal year 2006. CVE accepted this inaugural Leadership Award from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in March during the Annual FMCSA Program Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. During FFY 2006, CVE performed more than 1,000 Photo courtesy Pleasanton Express compliance reviews on motor On August 20, Tr. Clint Walker, HP Jourdanton, assisted the Atascosa County EMS with Avean Escalante, age 4. Avean was crossing Texas Hwy 97 East in Pleasanton carriers in Texas. The FMCSA when an oncoming driver swerved to miss him. Avean ran into the driver’s side door, and noted that the state of Texas fortunately was not seriously hurt. However, he was screaming uncontrollably until completed more compliance Trooper Walker calmed and reassured him. reviews than any other state in the nation during FFY 2006. struck. Tr. Corbell fired his the suspect was apprehended weapon and disabled two of the the next day. He admitted that Drug interdiction awards vehicle’s tires. The suspect he had abducted an 89-year-old In September, DPS received continued through a closed woman, forced her to withdraw two agency awards recognizing metal gate and down a private money from a bank and then its success in drug interdiction. road where he fled into a shot her in the head five times. In addition, several troopers wooded area. Her body was found in the received individual awards: After an extensive manhunt, trunk of her abandoned car. Tr. Billy Alexander, HP

Border inspection station opens The Zaragoza/Ysleta Laredo-Columbia Bridge, Pharr, Border Safety Inspection Los Indios and Brownsville. Facility in El Paso opened on Construction on the remain- September 5. This modern ing six facilities is scheduled to facility, constructed for DPS be completed by June 2010. by TxDOT, is the second of eight permanent Border (Above and left): Safety Inspection Facilities Trucks travel through being built on the Texas- the Ysleta Border Mexico border to become Inspection Facility near operational. the Texas-Mexico border in El Paso. In addition to the two completed El Paso facilities, TxDOT will be constructing Border Safety Inspection Facilities in Eagle Pass, Laredo-World Trade Bridge,

6 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Terrell, marijuana seizures: 7,198.4 lbs. Tr. Darrin Bridges, HP Borger, heroin seizures: 18.7 lbs. Tr. Doug Hagler, HP Vega, psilocybin mushroom seizures: 10.12 lbs. Tr. Mark Lancaster, HP Vega, ecstasy seizures: 42.9 lbs. Tr. Kevin Marmor, CVE Devine, methamphetamine seizures: 65.34 lbs.

Alcohol testing bureau award Randall Beaty, Assistant Manager of the Breath Alcohol Testing Bureau, was named the Above: A trooper using the in-car computer 2008 laureate of the Kurt M. Dubowski Award by a unani- In-car computers making a difference mous vote of the International In recent months, the Highway Patrol began installing in- Association for Chemical Test- car computers with direct messaging and communications to ing (IACT) Board of Directors. troopers on patrol via a secure network that provides real-time The award recognizes individu- alerts, digital photographs and homeland security information als who have made outstanding that can be acted on immediately. Vehicle automation gives career-long contributions troopers the ability to disseminate photographs of dangerous consistent with the ideals and people and vehicles, identify thieves and rapidly identify achievements of Dr. Kurt M. wanted persons and stolen vehicles. Dubowski, a world renowned An example of how the system will help troopers: In specialist in chemical testing. August, Tr. Tony Crosthwait, CVE Lubbock, stopped the The award will be presented at driver of a tractor-trailer for a routine inspection. After com- the May 2008 IACT meeting in pleting the inspection, the driver gave his license number and Tempe, Arizona. stated that he had left his license and medical card at home. With the new technology, Tr. Crosthwait was able to check the Border Operations data and see that the image on that driver license number did Four strike force teams not match the individual. The driver then gave his correct consisting of four sergeants and name and date of birth and admitted that he did not have a 40 troopers conducted law driver license. Charges were filed and the individual was enforcement operations along arrested. the Texas-Mexico border in the vicinity of Del Rio, Laredo, the Valley and the • 11,498 grams of cocaine Pursuit captures Costal Bend area. Between seized bank robbers September 12 and October 16, • 70 grams of methamphet- In September, Tr. Simon these operations resulted in amine seized Delacruz, HP Van Horn, saw a 14,795 enforcement actions Border operations in 2007 black Mercedes traveling taken, including: also included the El Paso and eastbound on IH-10 at a speed • 52 DWI arrests Big Bend areas and are planned of 137 mph. Tr. Delacruz at- • 59 criminal arrests for 2008. tempted to initiate a traffic stop, • 8 stolen vehicles recovered but the driver refused to yield • 1,573 lbs. of marijuana and continued at a high rate of seized speed. The Van Horn Sheriff’s

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 7 Office located the driver at a Highway Patrol, Aircraft Service motel parking lot, and placed him in custody. During the team up for high-water rescues vehicle search, officers found $628,334 in U.S. currency in the trunk. A follow-up investi- gation by Texas Ranger Sgt. Aaron Grigsby and by FBI revealed a possible connection to a $1.9 million armored car robbery in the /Fort Worth area approximately two weeks earlier.

In August, heavy rains in south-central Texas caused massive flooding. The Aircraft Service was called in to assist the Highway Patrol with several high-water rescues. In the above photo, the helicopter has landed on Highway 90 just west of D’Hanis.

Above and left: Sgt. Stacy Holland (left) and Tr. Donnie Kindred (CVE Devine) rigging ropes for a rescue. Below: Tr. Kindred gets rigged up with assis- tance from the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Border Patrol agents.

DPS troopers and aviators rescued an adult female. They also assisted in locating other people who were stranded in the flooding, directing ground units to those areas.

Photos by Tr. Jeff Evans

8 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Criminal Law Enforcement Division

activities since 1999, including Tarrant and Wise County various murders, armed rob- sheriff’s offices and the Dallas, beries and drug trafficking, all Fort Worth and Houston police of which were conducted in departments. order to gain membership or increase their standing with the Los Zetas member jailed gang. A CIS sergeant arrested an After the indictments were associate of the Los Zetas orga- unsealed, a multijurisdictional nization for aggravated kidnap- task force arrested eight of the ping and engaging in organized suspects throughout the Hous- criminal activity. The suspect is ton area. Task force members a member of a group of hit men The Criminal Law Enforce- served arrest warrants to an- living in the Laredo area but ment (CLE) Division investi- other nine suspects at various who mostly operate in Nuevo gates multijurisdictional viola- federal and Texas state prison Laredo and Monterrey, Mexico. tions such as terrorism, narcot- facilities, where the suspects In early August 2006, the ics, motor vehicle theft, gam- were already in custody on suspect shot at three people in bling, public corruption, fraud, other charges. The indictments Laredo, critically wounding one theft and counterfeit docu- were the result of a five-year of them. Later that month, he ments. CLE provides special- investigative effort by multiple also participated in the kidnap- ized assistance to local law agencies, including the DPS ping and assault of two indi- enforcement agencies and other CIS, TDCJ, the FBI, the U.S. viduals who were believed to DPS divisions and works with Bureau of Prisons, Harris have been involved in the federal law enforcement agen- County Sheriff’s Office and the assassination of the group’s local cies. Houston and Baytown police leader. The victims were bound, CLE, led by Chief Kent departments. beaten and strangled and would Mawyer, consists of 1,233 have been killed if the police members, including 625 com- Operation Falcon locks up had not responded to a 911 call. missioned officers and 608 gang members The assailants fled, leaving civilian support personnel. The The DPS CIS assisted the behind body armor, handguns four services that make up the U.S. Marshals Service with and assault rifles. Warrants were Division are: Criminal Intelli- Operation Falcon, a nationwide issued for the suspect’s arrest, gence, Motor Vehicle Theft felony warrant roundup. As a but he had already fled to (MVT), Narcotics and the result of the operation, investi- Mexico. In 2007, investigators Crime Laboratory. gators arrested 284 fugitives in received intelligence that the Parker, Wise, Tarrant and Harris suspect was back in Laredo, Criminal Intelligence Service counties on a variety of of- and they located and arrested Texas Syndicate members fenses, including aggravated him. Investigators established arrested assault, homicide and aggra- his involvement in the kidnap- Seventeen members of the vated sexual assault of a child. ping incident and linked him to Texas Syndicate prison gang At least 10 of the arrested the earlier shooting. Other were indicted in Houston for fugitives were gang members, agencies assisting with the conspiracy to violate the rack- including one member of investigation were ICE, the ATF, eteering influenced corrupt Houstone Tango Blast. Other the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. organizations (RICO) statute. agencies participating in the Marshals Service and the The charges stem from the roundup were the ATF, the Laredo Police Department. suspects’ involvement in illegal Harris, Fort Bend, Parker,

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 9 Aryan Brotherhood “general” operation. Officers executed for failure to comply with civil and members arrested warrants at 11 businesses, commitment requirements. The CIS personnel arrested an resulting in the seizure of arrested offenders were Ricardo associate of the Aryan Brother- $41,000 and $900,000 worth of Zamora, Joel Clark and Rodney hood of Texas (ABT) for con- property, including the Rhynes in Houston, Christo- spiracy to commit capital motherboards for about 485 pher Shaw in Fort Worth and murder. CIS received informa- illegal gambling machines. Bryan Webb in Austin. These tion regarding the suspect’s Officers also arrested 37 offenders violated their parol in location, leading to her arrest at suspects on a total of 33 felony various ways, such as walking a La Quinta Inn near and 42 misdemeanor charges. away from their portable track- Nacogdoches. Investigators Owners and employees of nine ing devices and failing to attend believe that the suspect was of the targeted businesses were treatment sessions. involved in the murder of an charged with engaging in Since the inception of the ABT member and his girlfriend, organized criminal activity. civil commitment program, 80 both of whom were found shot About a week later, investiga- sex offenders have been placed to death, execution style, in tors seized another 44 under civil commitment, and rural Nacogdoches County. motherboards from eight-liners 37 of them have been re- Investigators also arrested that had been hidden by the arrested. Thirty-one civil com- seven other suspected members owner. Officers also arrested mitment offenders remain in and associates of the ABT in eight more suspects on felony various locations throughout connection with this investiga- and misdemeanor charges. Texas, with six additional tion, including a high-ranking The search and arrest war- candidates waiting for release. “general” in the organization. rants were conducted with the The Texas Rangers, the FBI, the assistance of DPS Narcotics, Saudi Arabian illegal arrested Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office MVT, Texas Rangers, Highway A CIS sergeant and DPS and the Angelina County Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Highway Patrol personnel Sheriff’s Office also participated Enforcement (CVE) and Com- arrested a Saudi National who in the investigation. munications. Also participating subsequently expressed support were personnel from the Texas for terrorism. In September Eight-liner operation busted Alcoholic Beverage Commission 2006, DPS Highway Patrol CIS personnel assisted the (TABC), Texas Comptroller’s arrested the suspect in Parker Hunt County Sheriff’s Office Office, U.S. Marshals Service, County for DWI and found that with the six-month investiga- Hunt County DA’s Office and he was in possession of a third- tion of an illegal eight-liner the Royse City, Commerce and party check. CIS initiated an Greenville investigation and learned that police the suspect did not have autho- depart- rization to be in possession of ments. the check. They also discovered that the suspect, a citizen of Sex offend- Saudi Arabia, was in the coun- ers arrested try illegally. CIS subsequently DPS CIS obtained a warrant for the personnel suspect’s arrest for fraudulent arrested five use or possession of identifying civil com- information. mitment Investigators located and (electroni- arrested the suspect in Ranger, cally moni- and he was transferred to the CIS personnel, assisting the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office with tored, high- Parker County Jail, where he the investigation of an illegal eight-liner operation, executed risk) sex was held on an immigration search and arrest warrants at 11 businesses. offenders detainer. In late December

10 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 2006, routine mail screening at the county jail revealed a letter written by the suspect in which Criminal Intelligence Trends he espoused hatred for the U.S. government, expressed an Criminal Intelligence Los Zetas use juveniles interest in joining al-Qaida and personnel have identified a Los Zetas gang and other threatened to commit acts of number of trends related to known smuggling organiza- violence against the U.S. He criminal organizations, tions are beginning to use also threatened violence against including: juveniles for smuggling the sergeant who investigated illegal aliens and narcotics. him, in retaliation for his arrest Increased violence in The switch is reportedly the and prosecution. As a result of Mexican border towns result of a common practice the threat against the sergeant, The DPS BIA has by federal prosecutors to an additional charge of retalia- tracked reports of increased refuse prosecution of anyone tion is being filed with the violence in Mexican border under the age of 18. Parker County District towns, such as Nuevo In addition, Los Zetas are Attorney’s Office. Laredo, Matamoros, believed to be in the process Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Miguel of “cleaning house” by Motor Vehicle Theft Service Aleman and Ciudad Juarez. eliminating or disposing of Stolen construction Most of the violence is drug- their current adult guides equipment recovered related. As a result, many of and scouts to make room for MVT personnel recovered these towns have seen a more juveniles. construction equipment valued marked increase in military at $173,000 in Wilson and and police presence. Gun- Guatemalan Special Forces Guadalupe Counties. MVT Sgt. fights between the Mexican bolster Los Zetas Brad Sanders assisted the military and drug cartels Former members of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office have been reported. Guatemalan Special Forces, with the identification of an known as Kaibiles, may be altered/stolen Massey Ferguson Cigarettes funding allying themselves with Los tractor and shredder. criminal enterprise Zetas, the violent strongmen Investigators had seized the Illicit cigarette traffick- associated with Mexico’s tractor from two suspects after ing is beginning to rival Gulf Cartel. With approxi- they were arrested for posses- drug trafficking as a fund- mately half of the original sion of a controlled substance. ing choice for criminal members of Los Zetas being Investigators also received enterprises with profits in killed or captured, it appears information regarding the the billions of dollars. The that Kaibiles have been location of additional stolen increasing attractiveness of brought in to assist with equipment, leading to the cigarette trafficking appears training and to bolster their recovery of a bulldozer and a to be the result of height- numbers. The potential for skid steer loader at a Gonzales ened border enforcement violence along the border County ranch. Investigators and the increase in state may increase significantly as learned that the father of one of excise tax, which occurred a result of this alliance. the two arrested suspects had in January 2007. brought the equipment to the ranch. Investigators traveled to Nixon, where they arrested the traveled to the location and Suspected child abusers father and seized a stolen recovered the backhoe. Officials arrested Caterpillar tractor. have charged all three suspects MVT Sgt. Teresa Garrett Investigators also located a with theft and engaging in assisted the Webster Police stolen backhoe in Guadalupe organized criminal activity. Department with the serving of County. Sgt. Archie Harben two felony warrants for injury

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 11 to a child. The two suspects were wanted in Harris County for allegedly abusing their two- year-old son by pouring acid on his lower extremities and strangling him with a ligature device. Prior to the suspects’ arrest, the victim and his four- month-old sister were taken into custody by Child Protec- tive Services. During the Working with the Colorado and Wharton County Sheriff’s Combined Auto Theft Task operation, investigators also Forces and the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, MVT Sgt. Randy Loewe recovered arrested four Guatemalan $162,000 worth of stolen John Deere equipment in Eagle Lake. Nationals at the suspects’ apart- ment for immigration viola- Stolen-truck operation found McAllen and Edinburg Police tions, one of whom had a MVT Sgt. Art Barrera Departments. previous arrest in Harris assisted the Edinburg Police County for two counts of DWI Department with the recovery Dozer and backhoe recovered and one count of rape. ICE also of several stolen Ford pickup MVT Sgts. Donald Wilks assisted with the arrests. trucks at a local ranch. The and Alberto Maldonado identi- vehicles had been observed by a fied and recovered a stolen Stolen equipment recovered DPS pilot and an Edinburg Caterpillar dozer and backhoe MVT Sgt. Randy Loewe police investigator while flying loader from a lot in Hidalgo. recovered $162,000 worth of over the ranch. Both vehicles had been stolen in stolen property at a location in Local police entered an Houston. When located, the Eagle Lake. Working with the adjacent property and wrote dozer and loader were on a Colorado and Wharton County down the license plate of one of flatbed trailer that was towed Sheriff’s Combined Auto Theft the vehicles, which was later by a Freightliner truck tractor. Task Forces, and the Waller confirmed as stolen in Houston. After further investigation, the County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Sgt. Barrera and other officers officers determined that thieves Loewe conducted a consent subsequently entered the ranch had stolen the tractor and trailer search at the location and and detained the property in Rosenberg. The total value of identified five stolen farm owner as he attempted to flee. recovered property is $304,000. tractors and a stolen round hay The owner was later identified baler. Charges are pending. as a former Hidalgo County Narcotics Service justice of the peace. Meth ring shut down During the search, A DPS Narcotics sergeant officers seized five concluded a two-and-a-half- pickup trucks, stolen year-long joint investigation of a from Houston, and criminal organization respon- detained 80 illegal sible for distributing 20-25 immigrants from pounds of methamphetamine Mexico, Honduras, El per month from Caldwell Salvador and Guate- County. Investigators served 10 mala. federal arrest warrants and six The search warrant federal search warrants, result- was conducted with ing in the arrest of 11 suspects the assistance of DPS and the seizure of four vehicles. MVT Sgts. Donald Wilks and Alberto Maldonado Aircraft, the Hidalgo Investigators also recovered recovered a stolen Caterpillar dozer and backhoe loader, worth $304,000, from a lot in Hidalgo. The County Sheriff’s numerous stolen items, includ- equipment was stolen from Rosenberg. Office, and the ing four 4-wheelers and three

12 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report firearms. DPS Highway Patrol, CIS, MVT, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Motor Vehicle Theft Trends (DEA), the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Motor Vehicle Theft person- pumps, three job boxes, (ATF) and the Caldwell County nel have identified a num- copper wiring and assorted Sheriff’s Office assisted in the ber of trends in Texas, power tools. Investigators investigation. including: arrested one suspect, who was charged with theft. Marijuana seized High-end vehicle theft McAllen Narcotics personnel grows Pickups stolen seized 2,358 pounds of mari- In Florida, thieves steal MVT is investigating the juana during a traffic stop. A high-end vehicles and send theft of Ford, Dodge and Narcotics investigator observed them to Texas. These ve- Chevrolet pickups in Hous- suspicious activity involving the hicles are typically driven ton, and Cor- driver of a truck-tractor semi- along Interstate 10. All pus Christi. Criminals use trailer. Investigators initiated a recovered vehicles have the pickups for transporting six-day surveillance operation, displayed switched Vehicle undocumented immigrants culminating in a traffic stop and Identification Numbers and narcotics. Some of these drug seizure. They arrested one (VINs) and fictitious Florida vehicles are illegally ex- suspect. This investigation is buyer’s tags. ported to Mexico to be used ongoing. by drug cartels. Bonded title process used Cocaine seized in stealing vehicles Valuables stolen A Narcotics sergeant and the MVT investigators have Thieves are targeting Houston Police Department seen thieves using the motorists who are refueling seized $1,600,000 worth of “bonded title” process to their vehicles at gas stations. cocaine. During an investigation obtain titles on stolen While the victim is standing of a cocaine-trafficking opera- vehicles in the Houston on the driver side of the tion, DPS Narcotics personnel area. Law enforcement has vehicle, the thieves ap- received information regarding recovered several altered/ proach from the passenger a residence in Houston. Investi- stolen trucks and SUVs in side, discreetly open the gators established surveillance the Houston area. All of the victim’s door and steal at the residence and subse- vehicles displayed fictitious purses and other valuables quently seized 15 bundles of 37 public VIN plates that had that have been left on the pounds of cocaine. One suspect been obtained from previ- seats. The thieves then flee was arrested. ously-salvaged vehicles. in a vehicle before the victim is even aware of the Italian Mafia suspects Construction thefts rise theft. arrested MVT investigators have A Narcotics Service investi- noticed increased thefts in Metal theft on the rise gation linked a traffic stop in Travis County of construc- Investigators have seen a Texas to the Italian Mafia in tion equipment left on job rise in thefts of copper, Delaware. DPS Highway Patrol sites. In November 2006, a aluminum and other metals contacted a Narcotics sergeant theft ring was broken from residential and com- following an interdiction traffic up in the area, resulting in mercial air conditioning stop in Sutton County that the recovery of one pickup, units and from equipment yielded the seizure of $146,700. three trailers, two welders, belonging to agribiofuel The Narcotics sergeant two generators, two water businesses. interviewed the suspect and obtained additional intelligence.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 13 With the assistance of a DPS while conducting domestic prosecution of the suspect. crime analyst, the sergeant marijuana eradication opera- Charges include manufacture/ identified two more suspects in tions in the Collin and Rockwall possession of marijuana with and Delaware and County area. Narcotics received intent to distribute, possession obtained a warrant for the information from the Garland of a firearm in furtherance of a Delaware suspect’s arrest. The Police Department regarding an drug crime and possession of a sergeant flew to Delaware and area where they suspected firearm not registered in the orchestrated a controlled deliv- marijuana was being grown, a National Firearms Registration ery of the currency that had suspicion that was subsequently and Transfer Record. been seized in Sutton County. confirmed by DPS Aircraft. As a result of the operation, Narcotics personnel ob- Amarillo drug-traffickers investigators seized an addi- tained consent to search the busted tional $109,642 and four ve- property and discovered three DPS Narcotics assisted the hicles worth almost $500,000. outdoor locations, as well as an DEA with the execution of four The operation was conducted indoor operation at the house. search warrants and the indict- with the assistance of Highway Officers seized 1,095 marijuana ment of 21 people, 17 of whom Patrol, ICE and the Delaware plants from the four locations were arrested. The early-morn- . and 35 pounds of harvested ing raid was the culmination of marijuana. Officers also seized an investigation that began Marijuana operations busted 119 firearms—five of which more than two years ago, DPS Narcotics seized more were short-barrel firearms—and targeting an Amarillo-based than 1,000 marijuana plants a million dollars worth of drug trafficking organization. ammunition. During the course of the The operation, investigators seized Narcotics 19 weapons (seven of which Service is were stolen), 20 vehicles (two working with stolen), 14 pounds of metham- the ATF, the phetamine and $450,000. Also U.S. assisting with the operation Attorney’s were MVT, the Texas Rangers, Office and the the DEA, the Potter and Randall Garland Police County Sheriff’s Offices and the Department Amarillo Police Department. regarding the

While conducting domestic marijuana eradication, DPS Narcot- ics seized more than 1,000 marijuana plants (above) and 35 pounds of harvested marijuana (below) in Collin and Rockwall Counties.

Along with the marijuana, DPS Narcotics seized 119 firearms (above), including five short-barrel firearms, and a million dollars worth of ammunition from the owner of one of the marijuana operations.

14 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Multistate drug-trafficking organization investigated Crime DPS Narcotics seized a Laboratory significant quantity of illegal Service drugs as a result of a multi- Crime Lab agency investigation of a large accredited drug-trafficking organization In De- based in Texas. cember, all Investigators established 13 DPS surveillance on a commercial Crime Labo- motor vehicle in Mississippi ratories that was known to contain a received Narcotics personnel investigated a multistate, drug-trafficking false compartment that would international organization, seizing 297 pounds of cocaine and $1.6 million. be used to transport contra- accredita- band. Investigators followed the tion—the most difficult lab management practices, evi- vehicle to Dallas, where it was accreditation to attain. The DPS dence handling procedures and loaded with cocaine and then lab system is the largest interna- laboratory security. Training driven to . tionally accredited system in the programs, proficiency testing, Investigators subsequently program. Only three other state competency testing and testi- seized 297 pounds of cocaine police laboratories in the United mony evaluation files for each and $1.6 million, which was States have received the inter- employee are reviewed. Ac- intended as payment for the national rating, including the creditation is granted only after cocaine. Three suspects were , Utah DPS the laboratory has demon- arrested. Investigators also and the . strated compliance with all the seized 370 pounds of cocaine. Including the 13 DPS labs, only requirements of the program. Other agencies participating in 55 labs in the United States The accreditation means the investigation are the DEA, have achieved this level of that the ASCLD/LAB recognizes the Internal Revenue Service accreditation. the DPS labs as meeting both (IRS), Immigration and Cus- The laboratories were the ISO 17025 standards for toms Enforcement (ICE) and awarded the international testing and calibration laborato- the Mississippi Bureau of accreditation—which provides ries, as well as supplemental Narcotics. the highest set of standards for requirements for forensic- which a forensic laboratory can testing laboratories. The ac- Marijuana seized at be accredited—after a stringent creditation lasts for five years, checkpoint evaluation process that lasted with annual surveillance inspec- A DPS Narcotics sergeant several years. tions performed each year for developed information that led Before an American Society the next four years. to the seizure of approximately of Crime Laboratory Directors/ 4,109 pounds of marijuana. The Laboratory Accreditation Board 2007 busiest year yet for DPS sergeant was working with the (ASCLD/LAB) assessment team Crime Laboratories DEA and the FBI when he visits, all of the laboratory The year 2007 was the received information regarding system’s operational and techni- busiest year ever for the DPS a truck-tractor semitrailer that cal procedures are carefully Crime Laboratories. The labs was transporting narcotics. reviewed along with numerous received evidence in a total of He relayed the information to documents relating to person- 70,210 criminal cases. The DPS U.S. Border personnel in Sierra nel qualifications, training and lab system includes 13 laborato- Blanca, and they located and evidence handling procedures. ries, located in Austin, Garland, stopped the vehicle at a check- The on-site assessment is Houston, El Paso, Waco, Corpus point. A canine alerted officers comprehensive. Every aspect of Christi, McAllen, Tyler, Lub- to the marijuana in the rear of the laboratory’s operation is bock, Midland, Abilene, Ama- the trailer. carefully reviewed, including its rillo and Laredo.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 15 The crime lab disciplines increase) and firearms (40 approximately 30 days, and the with the greatest increase in the percent increase). Despite the number of short-tandem repeat number of cases received increase in cases worked, DPS (STR) DNA cases completed compared with 2006 were: lab personnel reduced the increased by 37 percent. blood alcohol (11 percent processing time for drug case In 2007, the 80th State increase), toxicology (16 percent results in nearly all labs to Legislature granted the labora-

Ballistics network links evidence to criminals

The CLE Crime Lab investigators can link firearms January 2007, the Lubbock Service has taken the lead to crimes and specific offenders. County Sheriff’s Office role in coordinating the searched the lake and state’s National Integrated Firearm linked to murders recovered parts of a firearm Ballistics Information Net- Crime Lab personnel linked that they then sent to the work (NIBIN), which is a a recovered firearm to a murder DPS Crime Lab. A DPS network of law enforcement in Lubbock County. In October firearms examiner cleaned computer workstations that 2006, a man robbed three all the parts and reas- are each connected to a employees of a cabaret as they sembled the firearm, which microscope and camera. were leaving for the night. After was a .45 caliber Taurus Examiners at each stealing $10,000 from the pistol. The firearm was workstation collect successfully test-fired the magnified images and subsequently of fired shell casings matched to the for firearms identifi- firearms evidence cation cases. The found at the crime unique microscopic scene. characteristics im- parted by a firearm’s Aggravated assault firing pin and breech linked to drug face onto the casings dealer’s residence are recorded and The Kilgore Police stored into a data- Department submit- base. Confiscated ted a pistol weapons are also seized during a raid routinely test fired on a suspected drug and the resultant dealer’s house. The NIBIN personnel successfully test-fired this .45 caliber casings are recorded pistol, recovered from a lake, that a suspect had used during pistol was entered into the database. a Lubbock County double homicide. into NIBIN by Crime The NIBIN Lab personnel in software searches the im- victims, the suspect repeatedly Tyler, where it was subse- ages of casings for similar shot them with a .38 Special quently matched to evi- characteristics, across revolver and a .45 caliber pistol, dence from an aggravated jurisdictional and state lines, killing two and critically assault investigation in and then generates possible wounding another. Dallas. The evidence from matches. The network has Several months later, inves- the Dallas investigation had linked routinely confiscated tigators found that one of the been entered into the Plano weapons to unsolved firearms used in the shooting Police Department’s NIBIN shootings. Using NIBIN, might be in a local lake. In database.

16 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report tory 64 new full-time employ- developed a DNA profile of a semen stain on the victim’s ees and a substantial budget male subject from the swabbing shirt. A full DNA profile was increase for both equipment and entered the profile into obtained from the stain and and operating funds. This CODIS, where it was linked to submitted to CODIS, where it added manpower, new equip- a known offender. matched to a convicted of- ment and funds will assist the fender and not to the mother’s lab in processing the increased DNA evidence encourages boyfriend. The convicted workload. guilty plea offender was already in the In addition, the people of Five employees of the DPS county jail, arrested for bur- Texas voted to pass a constitu- Crime Lab testified recently at a glary of a habitation. Officers tional amendment (Proposition murder trial. The suspect had subsequently interviewed the 4) in November. This amend- been linked through DNA to the offender and arrested him for ment provided $200 million for 1983 murder of five people at a capital murder. construction, including the Kentucky Fried Chicken in building or expansion of eight Kilgore. The original DNA work Murder suspects identified of the 13 laboratories. had been performed by Lorna DPS Crime Lab personnel Beasley, who also reexamined the helped link two suspects to a 1997 murder solved through evidence in 2001 at the request of home-invasion robbery and CODIS the Texas Office of the Attorney double homicide in Sugarland. The 1997 murder of a 92- General. In 2004, two men forced their year-old woman in Midland was Analysts developed a DNA way into a home, broke into the solved through a Combined profile and submitted it to gun safe and shot all four family DNA Index System (CODIS) CODIS, where the profile members. The mother and hit. Criminalist Brady Mills matched to the suspect. The younger son were killed, but developed a DNA profile from a suspect’s DNA had been stored the father and older son sur- cigarette butt recovered from in the state CODIS database due vived. the crime scene. to an earlier felony conviction. Investigators suspected that The profile was entered into During the trial, the suspect pled the older son had hired the CODIS, where it matched to a guilty to the murders. A second robbers to break into the house convicted offender who was suspect is scheduled for trial next and kill his family, so that he serving time in prison on an year. could inherit a $1 million estate. unrelated charge. After officials Forensic scientist Devin questioned the suspect in Rape and murder suspect Stasicha recovered paint from prison regarding the murder, identified the tool marks on the gun safe the suspect committed suicide. Crime Lab personnel as- and determined that the sus- sisted the Navarro County pects had used a Dasco Pro tool DNA links rape to known Sheriff’s Office with the pro- to open the safe. offender cessing of a rape and murder Two years later, one of the DPS Crime Lab personnel crime scene. The victim, a six- alleged suspects was arrested on in Lubbock linked a known year-old female, had been unrelated charges, prompting suspect to a 2002 sexual assault. brutally raped and hung from him to confess to his involve- The victim was assaulted in her the rafters of a barn. The pri- ment in the home invasion in bedroom, but there was no mary suspect was the mother’s exchange for a lighter sentence. semen detected at the crime boyfriend, who was arrested for He confirmed that the older son scene. Because there was report- possession of child pornogra- had hired them and that they edly significant oral contact phy shortly after the victim’s had dumped the evidence in a with the victim’s chest, the murder. nearby lake. DNA analyst made a swabbing DPS Forensic Scientists Investigators dredged the inside the tank top the victim Blake Goertz and Brent Watson lake and recovered a garbage had been wearing during the used a new portable Crime-Lite bag that contained a Dasco Pro assault. Crime Lab personnel unit to identify a possible tool, a Dust Buster with carpet

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 17 fibers from the victim’s home DPS lab manager’s research suspected or known.) As a and a water bottle. Crime Lab published result of these 10 cold hits, personnel used the water bottle The Journal of Forensic Science investigators have cleared 20 to obtain a DNA profile of one recently published the research unsolved cases throughout the of the suspects. of DPS Laboratory Manager state. Pamela Smith. The article Rangers’ TYC investigation describes a purification tech- Hundreds of missing and bolstered by Crime Lab nique that enables a full DNA unidentified persons cases DPS Forensic Scientist profile to be developed from processed Christine Ceniceros linked a extremely small amounts of The MPCH processed a total Texas Youth Commission (TYC) DNA. of 555 cases in 2007. Although principal to evidence in a civil the Unidentified Persons and rights violation investigation Unidentified Persons and DNA Unit was established in involving inmates. In 2005, DNA Unit formed September, the following investigators submitted evi- The Unidentified Persons statistics reflect numbers for dence from the principal’s office and DNA Unit was formed in both missing persons and what in Pyote to the Crime Lab. September 2007. The mission is now the Unidentified Persons Ceniceros obtained DNA of the Unit is to assist Texas law and DNA Unit. Cases worked profiles consistent with one of enforcement in their mandatory included 56 abductions, 169 the victims. The Texas Rangers requirement to enter all infor- missing persons, 177 runaways continued the investigation and mation regarding an unidenti- and 153 unidentified persons. submitted other pieces of fied deceased or living person Of those cases, 341 were located evidence for DNA analysis in into the state clearinghouse and and seven were found deceased. 2007. Forensic Scientist the National Crime Information In 2007, the Missing Per- Ceniceros subsequently linked Center (NCIC) Unidentified sons Clearinghouse received 40 the additional DNA evidence to Person File. In addition, the requests for DPS-issued Amber two of the victims. Unidentified Persons and DNA Alerts. Of those requests, 10 Unit assists law enforcement, resulted in the issuance of Palm prints on T-shirt link medical examiners and coro- Amber Alerts. All of the 10 suspect to murder ners throughout the state with children, for whom alerts were DPS Latent Print Examiner the coordination of DNA issued, were recovered safely, Kirk Wilcoxson linked a known samples from unidentified and eight of those were recov- suspect to a June 2006 homicide human remains for entry into ered as a result of the DPS- in Palestine. The victim had the University of North Texas issued Amber Alert. been stabbed 56 times and his Health Science Center The Clearinghouse also bloodstained T-shirt was sub- (UNTHSC) DNA Identity Lab. received 31 requests for Silver mitted to the Crime Lab for The Unidentified Persons Alerts and issued 17. Of the 17 latent print analysis. and DNA Unit and the Missing issued, the Silver Alert was a Wilcoxson observed a Persons Clearinghouse (MPCH) factor in the recovery of four bloody palm print on the shirt have formed a partnership with missing individuals. The Silver and had it photographed. The the UNTHSC DNA Identity Lab Alert was not a contributing print was then compared to a to help link Texas’ missing factor in 10 of the cases, and the known suspect’s palm prints, persons to unidentified human missing person was recovered resulting in a positive identifica- remains. For the year 2007, a deceased in three instances. tion. This is only the third case total of 10 “cold” DNA matches involving identified prints on were made between Texas cloth by the DPS Latent Section missing and unidentified per- in the last 25 years. sons. (A cold DNA match is a match that would not have been made without the use of DNA because no other link was

18 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report New CLE bureau offers “all crimes” analytical approach

In September 2007, DPS In addition, the BIA and coordinates the state- merged the Department’s includes the Texas Intelli- wide Amber and Silver Alert crime analysts into one new gence Center (TIC), which programs. unit — the Bureau of Infor- provides 24/7 tactical sup- BIA tactical analysts mation Analysis (BIA). This port to law enforcement and perform database searches new bureau, which is part of a telephone tip line for the and phone analyses and the CLE Division, assists public. The TIC also includes provide other types of DPS and other law enforce- the Post-Seizure Analysis investigative leads. BIA ment agencies with investi- Team, which analyzes infor- strategic analysts conduct in- gations regarding terrorism, mation from contraband and depth research on suspect drugs, gangs, sex offenders, currency seizures. Also groups, persons of interest fugitives and other major within TIC is the Unidenti- or criminal activity to help felony offenses. fied Persons and DNA Unit, direct law enforcement The BIA includes 12 which assists with cases resources toward combating commissioned officers and involving homicide and crime and terrorism more 130 analysts from the Texas unidentified bodies, and the effectively. Rangers, the Driver License Missing Persons Clearing- Division, CIS, MVT and the house (MPCH), which assists Narcotics Service. with missing persons cases

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 19

ers of the court during judicial cated that several shots had proceedings, providing protec- been fired into a wall. With the tion for elected officials and evidence and statements, assisting the Governor’s Protec- investigators charged the sus- tive Detail with security for the pect with murder. On January Texas Governor and other 11, the case was presented to a dignitaries. grand jury, and the suspect was The Texas Ranger Division, indicted for murder. led by Chief Ray Coffman, is made up of 134 Texas Rangers Game warden’s killer arrested The Texas Rangers perform and 26 noncommissioned On March 17, a male en- a variety of duties that consist employees, including one gaged in a shoot-out with two primarily of conducting crimi- forensic artist, one fiscal analyst Texas Parks and Wildlife game nal and special investigations and 24 administrative assistants. wardens, three Wharton into felony crimes, such as County Sheriff’s Office units murder, white-collar crime and Company A—Houston and three Highway Patrol units. public integrity cases. They also Suspect indicted for murder Before the shoot-out, a game assist in apprehending wanted On January 4, the Fayette warden had observed the male felons, suppressing major County Sheriff’s Office re- shooting at night off a public disturbances and rendering quested that Ranger Sgt. Otto roadway, and a chase ensued. assistance to local law enforce- Hanak respond to a shooting in Two Highway Patrol units ment officials in suppressing Schulenburg. A young male spiked the suspect’s vehicle, crime and violence. was found dead in an apart- flattening his tires. The Rangers perform other ment. Law enforcement appre- The suspect got out of his duties, such as serving as offic- hended the suspect and vehicle with a semiautomatic charged him with handgun and fired ten shots at public intoxica- officers. Three of the officers tion. At the jail, returned fire. One of the game investigators wardens left the cover of his interviewed him truck to flank the suspect regarding the where he would have a clear shooting. shot. The suspect then got a Evidence col- rifle from his truck and began lected at the firing at the officers. The game apartment indi- warden wounded the suspect who then fired several rounds, striking the warden. The game warden died from his wounds. Ranger Sgt. David Maxwell Ranger Otto Hanak arrested the suspect and investigated a charged him with capital shooting in Schulenburg. A murder of a peace officer. He young male victim was placed in a Harris County was found dead in an Jail with no bond. apartment (right) in a two-story house Murder suspect arrested (above). The suspect was indicted for On July 23, Ranger Sgts. murder. Ronald Duff, Kevin Pullen and

20 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Grover “Frank” Huff assisted the victim, and the gun went her to death. The suspect the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s off. started driving the vehicle Office with a murder investiga- After conferring with the again. A Highway Patrol trooper tion. A woman was shot once in San Jacinto County District fired at the vehicle, causing the chest inside her home. Her Attorney concerning statements severe damaged to a tire. The ex-husband, who lived in the and the evidence at the scene, disabled vehicle landed in a same residence along with Sgt. Pullen arrested the ex- ditch, and the suspect fled into another male, was found to be husband and placed him in jail. the woods on foot. During the the person who fired the shot. The Rangers collected evidence, night, the suspect entered a The male residents stated photographed the scene, and home, stole the keys to a that the victim and her ex- performed a trajectory study of resident’s vehicle and escaped in husband had argued about her the fired projectiles. The sus- that truck. The suspect was addiction to “crack” cocaine. At pect, while in solitary confine- found the following day in his one point, the ex-husband ment, died of natural causes. aunt’s house, and the FBI lo- asked the victim to leave. cated the $10,000 in his room. Instead of leaving, the victim Capital murder suspect Charges are pending. entered the house and asked arrested the suspect where the gun was On August 1, the Shelby Prison escapees captured because she was going to shoot County Sheriff’s Office re- On September 24, two him. The suspect followed the quested that Ranger Sgt. Tom offenders housed at the TDCJ– victim into a bedroom. Both Davis assist them with a man- Wynne Unit in Walker County suspect and victim grabbed for hunt. A suspect had abducted escaped. They overpowered a the gun. The suspect got to the an elderly woman and forced correctional officer while work- gun first and swung it toward her to withdraw $10,000 from ing an outdoor detail on the her bank at the Wynne Unit property. The drive-through correctional officer was un- window. The harmed, but the offenders took victim his service weapon. mouthed the In a nearby business park- words “help ing lot, they engaged another me” while TDCJ correctional officer, who acting nervous, was on horseback, with gunfire. which alerted During the gun battle, one of bank person- the offenders jumped into a city nel. The sus- truck and ran over the officer pect, hiding on and her horse, killing the Rangers Ronald Duff, Kevin Pullen and Grover Huff collected the floorboard officer. The offenders took her evidence (above) at a murder scene in San Jacinto County and of the victim’s rifle and left the scene in the performed a trajectory study of the fired projectiles (below) to vehicle, forced support or disprove the suspect’s version of the crime. truck. The offenders later the elderly ditched this truck and car- woman into the jacked a victim. The offenders back seat. He and the kidnapped victim sped drove the away with city police and victim’s vehicle, county deputies in pursuit. eluding police. The pursuit ended approxi- The mately three miles away when suspect pulled the fleeing vehicle’s tire was the vehicle deflated by police gunfire. Local over, forced the police and the offenders en- victim into the gaged in another gun battle, trunk and shot and a large-scale manhunt

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 21 ensued. Both Texas Ranger Division Criminal Statistics escapees were Start Date: Jan. 1, 2007 — End Date: Dec. 31, 2007 apprehended within a few Investigations — Offenses/Cases hours. Local Developed Totals Murder Robbery Burglary Theft Other* Texas Rangers, Offenses - Activities*: 5,054 594 164 231 822 3,243 Highway Charged Offenses: 1,712 260 90 153 314 895 Patrol troopers Completed and DPS Closed Files: 3,236 475 101 128 588 1,944 aircraft had Criminal - Activity Disp*: 2,591 285 73 188 331 1,714 assisted in the manhunt. Arrests — Conviction results Ranger Number of arrests: 2,070 Number of convictions: 1,798 Sgt. Pete * Other is all other criminal offenses (fraud, forgery, assault, etc.). Maskunas was * Activities are warrant, civil, subpoena and fugitive. named lead Ranger in the follow-up investigation of the capital Carthage Police Department ment began an investigation murder of a public servant, investigator and Sgt. Griffith and requested assistance from kidnapping and escape. Ranger took statements. The suspect Ranger Sgt. Matt Cawthon. Lt. L. C. Wilson, along with had entered the young boy’s On May 15, the body was Sgts. David Maxwell, Brian room and sexually assaulted positively identified as the Taylor, Otto Hanak, Crayton and killed him. McGee, Ronald Duff, Grover The suspect Huff and Chance Collins all then wrapped responded to the crime scene the victim in a and assisted in the investigation. comforter and They obtained statements from staged the the offenders and numerous burglary. The witness. suspect is jailed under a $12 Company B—Garland million bond. Murder suspect behind bars On April 15, Ranger Sgt. Murder solved Ronny Griffith was called to On May 10, assist the Carthage Police a woman was reported as Investigations by Rangers Ronny Griffith, Steve Boyd and the Department in the investigation Carthage Police Department revealed that a juvenile victim’s of the death of a juvenile male. missing from murderer staged the crime scene as a burglary. The death was reported as a the Dallas area. burglary/homicide. Investiga- The body of a tors found the scene was set up woman was and was not a break-in. They found deceased also determined that the sus- inside a por- pect worked at a restaurant table toilet at a owned by the victim’s family construction and was in the country illegally site in Hewitt from Mexico. about 100 Sgt. Griffith and Ranger Sgt. miles away. Steve Boyd worked and photo- The Hewitt graphed the crime scene. A Police Depart-

22 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report missing woman from Dallas, violation, and he was and the Dallas Police Depart- placed in the Red ment requested that Ranger River County jail. Sgt. Terry Welch assist in the Sgt. Lough and investigation. Due to multiple the sheriff inter- jurisdictions involved, it was viewed the suspect, agreed that Sgt. Welch would found additional assume the lead in this investi- evidence and deter- gation. mined that two other On May 17, investigators males, one of whom served two search warrants at was deceased, were two residences in Dallas. Those involved. With the two residences were occupied additional evidence Ranger Russ Authier assisted the Parker County by the suspect, who was the last and testimony, Sheriff’s Office in investigating the hanging deaths of person to see the victim alive. four children. A woman hanged her children and then investigators arrested herself in the closet of their mobile home. Investigators recovered evi- the two remaining dence at both residences; and suspects for capital murder in photographed the scene, col- on May 23, the Dallas Police this 1987 cold case. lected evidence and obtained Department and members of witness and victim statements. the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Man kills grandmother Sgt. Thomas processed the Apprehension Strike Team On August 9, Ranger Sgt. firearm for fingerprints and captured the suspect. He was Ronny Griffith was requested to submitted several items of arrested and charged with assist the Gregg County evidence, including shell cas- aggravated sexual assault and Sheriff’s Office, involving the ings, fired bullets, the victim’s violation of parole (original shooting deaths of a male and clothes and a semiautomatic charge of murder). female. Sgt. Griffith traveled to pistol, to the DPS Crime Lab the location, collected evidence for analysis. The judge was Cold-case murders solved and interviewed witnesses. His arrested and charged with Ranger Sgt. Roger Lough investigation helped lead to the aggravated assault with a deadly and the Red River County arrest of the suspect. weapon. Sheriff investigated the 1987 Sgt. Griffith found that the double murder of a male and suspect had been smoking Mother hangs three children female. On March 27, law marijuana dipped in embalm- On May 29, the Parker enforcement arrested one of the ing fluid for several days before County Sheriff’s Office re- suspects on an unrelated parole the murder. The suspect went quested that Ranger Sgt. Russ to the home of his grandmother Authier assist at the scene of a and uncle to get his multiple homicide. Law en- grandmother’s gun. He shot forcement officials were sum- both and left. The suspect was moned to the residence when a placed in the Gregg County jail relative went to check on her on capital murder charges. sister’s welfare and discovered her sister and her sister’s four Company C—Lubbock children hanging in a bedroom Floyd County justice of the closet. peace shoots husband The youngest child was On March 10, Ranger Sgt. found alive and removed from Marshall Thomas assisted the the residence. Sgt. Authier Floyd County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the processing and Ranger Marshall Thomas collected evidence, such as the above shell casing, with a shooting investigation. A collection of evidence at the at a Floyd County shooting that local justice of the peace had residence and attended the involved a local justice of the peace. shot her husband. Sgt. Thomas Continued on page 25

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 23 Texas Rangers Forensic Artist

Texas Rangers Forensic Artist Suzanne Birdwell assists law enforcement agencies with multiple forms of investigative-related artwork, including composite drawings, age progression updates of missing persons or dangerous fugitives, postmor- tem drawings and facial reconstruction on or from the skull. These images are used both to aid in the apprehen- sion of criminal offenders and The suspect drawing (above left) by Forensic Artist Suzanne Birdwell to assist in the identification assisted law enforcement in locating the kidnapping suspect (above right). of victims of violent crime or investigators requested a com- the deceased, who had seen otherwise questionable deaths. posite drawing of the suspect. the drawing in the San Birdwell travels throughout Texas Rangers Forensic Artist Antonio news media, called the state in the performance Suzanne Birdwell drew a authorities. By the end of the of her duties, assisting local, composite drawing of the day and following an investi- county, state, federal and abductor. Sgt. Arnold for- gation by the Rangers and military law enforcement warded the composite drawing with the help of the DPS agencies in their investiga- to local agencies. On March 11, Crime Lab, the woman was tions. the infant and the female identified as 33-year-old suspect, Rayshaun Parson, were Martina Trevino Alderete of Kidnapped baby found located in Clovis, New Mexico, San Antonio. She had been On March 10, the and returned to Lubbock. On found dead in Live Oak Lubbock Police Department August 16, Parson pled guilty County in May 2007. received a 911 call that an to one count of kidnapping and Continued on page 25 unidentified female had faces no less than 20 years and abducted a newborn from a up to life in prison, as well as a local hospital. The abductor $250,000 fine and restitution. was dressed in medical attire. A review of the Unidentified victim IDed by a hospital’s security footage drawing of her tattoo revealed a female departing On November 13, working the hospital lobby carrying with Birdwell and Ranger Sgt. a large bag. An Amber Alert Oscar Rivera, the DPS Public was issued in an attempt to Information Office dissemi- locate the infant. nated a statewide press release Ranger Sgt. Tony Arnold to publicize Birdwell’s drawings attended a multi-agency of a deceased unidentified This forensic drawing of an briefing at the Lubbock woman’s tattoo and clothing. unidentified victim’s tattoo led Police Department where That same day, a friend of to her identification.

24 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Continued from page 23 autopsies of all four victims. The Tarrant County Medical Texas Rangers Forensic Artist Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death of all four as Continued from page 24 new two-dimensional facial hanging. The manner of death The case is jointly under reproduction from the for the children was homicide, investigation by the Live skull. and the manner of death for the Oak County Sheriff’s Office On Dec. 19, 2007, the adult female was suicide. and the Texas Rangers, and DPS Public Information foul play has not been ruled Office released the new two- Man kills person with out. dimensional forensic draw- baseball bat ing to news media in Texas, On March 19 in Wise Drawing helps identify Louisiana, Oklahoma and County, a male was involved in homicide victim New Mexico. After seeing a domestic disturbance with his On Dec. 29, 2005, the the resulting media coverage girlfriend. When the victim skeletal remains of an of the press release, the attempted to intercede in the unidentified teenage male father of the victim came argument, the suspect struck homicide victim were found forward to say that he the victim in the head with a in Lubbock County. On Feb. thought the victim looked baseball bat. The victim later 13, 2006, the Rangers re- like his missing son. died at a local hospital. leased an original forensic DNA tests confirmed The Bridgeport Police drawing of the victim to the that the father, who had Department contacted Ranger media, but the release did contacted investigators after Sgt. Dewayne Dockery, request- not produce any leads. On seeing the news coverage, ing assistance with this investi- Oct. 18, 2006, Ranger Sgt. and mother were the parents gation. Sgt. Dockery assisted Tony Arnold requested that of the victim, identified as the police department with Rangers Forensic Artist 17-year-old Bernard Wilson interviews and obtained written Suzanne Birdwell conduct a from Lubbock. The Texas statements from witnesses. facial reconstruction on the Rangers and Lubbock Investigators arrested the victim’s skull. Birdwell County sheriff’s office are suspect and charged him with completed the three-dimen- continuing their investiga- murder. sional sculpture as well as a tion into his homicide. Man commits “suicide by cop” On September 5, the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office requested the Rangers’ assis- tance with a police-involved shooting investigation. The male suspect called the Sheriff’s Office and said he needed S.W.A.T. at his residence. He had taken his girlfriend hostage and said he would be coming out of the house with a pistol. The Wichita County Special A DPS press release, including the forensic drawing (left) of an unidentified Response Unit arrived on the homicide victim in Lubbock County, and the resulting media coverage led to scene. Attempts to make tele- the identification of the victim as 17-year-old Bernard Wilson (right) from phone contact with the suspect Lubbock. were unsuccessful. He exited

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 25 his house and fired four shots at had destroyed documents in ment officers from multiple officers. A police sniper fired her office. The documents agencies, including Ranger Sgts. one round, killing the suspect. shredded were employee Rocky Millican and Lance Ranger Sgts. R.K. Johnson, Jay performance evaluations, Coleman, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Foster, Dewayne Dockery and employee grievance notes, case local sheriff and police depart- Russell Authier responded to planning review notes, youth ments, joined together with the the scene, interviewed witnesses grievance records and trust goal of rounding up 17 wanted and involved officers, collected fund forms of monetary ac- felons in Frio County. A total of evidence, assisted in obtaining counts. On March 9, Sgt. 15 people were arrested. measurements to construct a Coleman obtained an arrest Most of the wanted felons diagram of the crime scene and warrant for the House Superin- targeted for arrest during the attended the autopsy. tendent. She was arrested and round up were suspected charged with tampering with affiliates or confirmed members Company D—San Antonio physical evidence. of the Mexican Mafia. Fifteen of TYC House Superintendent the seventeen warrants were for arrested Prisoner escapes using soap parole violators. During the On March 6, Ranger Sgt. On July 14, the Goliad arrest of one individual, officers Lance Coleman was assigned to County Sheriff’s Office con- discovered a significant amount assist the TDCJ Inspector tacted Sgt. Oscar Rivera about of heroin, resulting in the arrest General and the Texas OAG in the escape of a male prisoner of two additional individuals. an investigation of the Texas from the county jail. The pris- Youth Commission (TYC). This oner escaped by fashioning a Man killed for property investigation was to identify makeshift pistol from a bar of On June 14, the body of a TYC facility controls and mis- soap. The suspect was in cus- deceased male was found at the conduct involving TYC person- tody on drug charges and theft base of a public boat ramp in nel. On March 8, Sgt. Coleman of a motor vehicle. After he Victoria County. The Victoria was advised that the TYC escaped, he stole a vehicle and County Sheriff requested hotline in Austin received an fled to George West. Ranger Sgt. Morgan Miller’s anonymous tip that the Ayers A George West police officer assistance in an investigation of House Superintendent in Bexar pursued the escapee onto the the death. Preliminary autopsy County was seen shredding highway, where after approxi- results indicated the victim documents in her office. Sgt. mately three miles the escapee drowned. A vehicle used by the Coleman interviewed the house jumped from the vehicle and victim was not at the scene and superintendent. fled into the brush. DPS Air- was found in Goliad County. His investigation revealed craft, Live Oak County Sheriff’s Individuals in possession of the that the house superintendent Office, Bee County Sheriff’s vehicle were identified as one Office, Goliad male and three females. County Sheriff’s Several of the females Office and provided statements indicating Ranger Sgt. that the male suspect killed the Oscar Rivera victim and took his vehicle and responded to property. The witnesses claimed the manhunt. the suspect hit, kicked and The escapee was stomped the victim and held located and his head under water until he arrested without died. On June 29, Ranger Sgt. incident. Lance Coleman and the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force located Ranger Oscar Rivera assisted with the search for a Goliad Felon roundup the suspect in San Antonio and County Jail escapee. The male prisoner fashioned a makeshift On May 7, arrested him. On June 30, pistol from a bar of soap to use during his escape. law enforce- Continued on page 28

26 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Why we have Texas Rangers Ranger uncovers sexual abuse in TYC facilities and promises victims he will not fail them

By Texas Ranger Captain Barry Caver, Company E—Midland

On September 1, DPS Director Col. Thomas Davis, Jr. presented a Director’s Citation to Texas Ranger Sgt. Brian Burzynski for his investigation into sexual abuse at the West Texas State School, a maximum-security, all-male correction Texas Ranger Sgt. Brian Burzynski facility for juveniles in Pyote. In February 2005, a math teacher, who because I’ve got a promise to keep.” The volunteered at the institution, contacted Sgt. Ranger’s testimony was so compelling that Burzynski and explained that several of his the committee and those attending the students had told him that the assistant hearing gave him a standing ovation. superintendent was having sex with young As a result of his investigation, the Texas inmates. During the next two months, Sgt. Attorney General’s office and the Rangers Burzynski interviewed 74 of the prisoners have conducted a comprehensive investiga- and secured 354 pieces of physical evidence. tion of TYC facilities across the state, and By July 2005, Sgt. Burzynski had identified TYC board members and several key three prison employees suspected of having administrators have resigned from their sexual contact with incarcerated inmates. positions. Ranger investigations have also Sgt. Burzynski presented his findings to uncovered cases of TYC officials tampering the Ward County district attorney for pros- with government records. In addition, Sgt. ecution. For almost a year and a half, Ranger Burzynski’s investigations were the catalyst Burzynski continued to gather proof while for a statewide review of the TYC’s common the DA decided what to do. Frustrated with methods of intimidation, sexual assault and so little response from the DA, Burzynski sanctioned oppression. The TYC has since talked with the Texas Attorney General’s instituted its own investigation team. office in November 2006 and generated When Col. Davis presented the enough attention to proceed with prosecu- Director’s Citation to Sgt. Burzynski, he tion of the sexual predators. stated that Burzynski’s “initiative, diligence, As public awareness of the lack of pros- and commitment to pursuing prosecution . ecution grew, the Texas State Legislature . . reflects the high moral standards the wanted to know why the original three public has come to admire and respect suspects presented to the Ward County DA from officers of the Texas Department of had never been prosecuted. Sgt. Burzynski Public Safety and the Texas Ranger Divi- was asked to present testimony before a joint sion. Senator John Whitmire also stated, oversight committee regarding his investiga- “This is why we have Texas Rangers.” tion. During his testimony, he explained that Much of this article was printed in the Fall 2007 issue he had promised the victims that he would of The Texas Ranger Dispatch, a publication of the not fail them. He said, “I’m here today Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 27 Continued from page 26 Rangers respond to officers transported the suspect shooting of police to Victoria, where he was officers placed in jail, in lieu of a one On September 8 in million dollar bond. Odessa, a domestic vio- lence incident was re- Company E—Midland ported through a 911 call. Teacher arrested on multiple The wife was confronted counts by her husband, who was On February 9, Ranger Sgt. intoxicated and assaulted Don Williams was requested to her. The wife exited the Bullet holes puncture the window screen of a assist in the investigation of a residence. When the first house in Odessa, where a man shot and killed three police officers. Rangers Barry Caver, Jess sexual assault of a child in officer arrived, she in- Malone, Don Williams and Juan Lozano Gaines County. The Gaines formed the officer that responded and the suspect surrendered. County Sheriff’s Office had she could hear the suspect received information that a inside the garage where she had later died at the hospital. The Seagraves Junior High School previously locked up numerous suspect has been charged with teacher had engaged in sexual firearms. When another officer three counts of capital murder activity with a student. Sgt. arrived, she gave the officers and three counts of attempted Williams assisted in conducting consent to enter the residence. capital murder and is being interviews and collecting evi- As the two officers reached the held in the Ector County Jail. dence in the case. back door, the suspect shot the On February 28, the suspect two officers. One of them was Officer-involved shooting was indicted by a grand jury on able to run towards the side of investigated five counts of aggravated sexual the residence and was met by On March 12, a Highway assault of a child, five counts of other responding officers, who Patrol trooper initiated a traffic indecency with a child by transported him to the hospital. stop on a vehicle for failure to exposure, four counts of inde- Shortly after the initial signal turn in Eastland. A Cisco cency with a child by touching, shooting incident occurred, at Police Department K-9 unit five counts of improper rela- least four other officers arrived. officer was summoned to the tionship between an educator They proceeded with the search scene for a drug search. The K-9 and student and one count of for the suspect. The suspect had a positive alert on the tampering with evidence. On yelled at them and fired a shot, vehicle for narcotics. While March 1, the suspect turned striking another officer in the searching the vehicle, the herself into the sheriff’s office head. Officers returned fire trooper located illegal narcotics. and bond was set at $600,000. toward the inside of the resi- The officers attempted to place dence. As two of the officers lay the suspect under arrest, but he Wanted fugitive at TYC dead, the other officers re- ran from the vehicle. He was On March 14, Ranger Sgt. treated and formed a perimeter apprehended after a short foot Nick Hanna, officers from the until additional officers arrived. pursuit by both officers. Texas OAG, TDCJ and the office Ranger Capt. Barry Caver A struggle ensued with the of the Inspector General (OIG) and Ranger Sgts. Jess Malone, suspect grabbing hold of the conducted investigations into Don Williams and Juan Lozano police officer’s weapon. The allegations of abuse at the Ron responded to the scene. After trooper drew his DPS-issued Jackson Unit of the TYC in four hours of negotiations, the pistol and fired once, striking Brownwood. Investigators suspect surrendered without the suspect in the neck. The identified a former guard for further incident. During the trooper summoned an ambu- the agency as a fugitive, wanted initial gun fight, the suspect had lance, and the suspect was later for sexual assault. The fugitive been shot in the right side and pronounced dead. Ranger Sgt. was arrested at the Brown was transported to the hospital David Hullum responded to the County Sheriff’s Office. for treatment. The third officer scene to investigate.

28 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Company F—Waco a 911 telephone call from a tempted to conceal the crime. TYC official gives false report citizen who reported a house Through subsequent inves- On March 6, Ranger Sgt. fire in Fredericksburg. The tigation, officials determined Matt Cawthon began an investi- Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire that the victim’s son-in-law had gation into allegations of abuse Department and the murdered the victim. The within the Marlin Orientation Fredericksburg Police Depart- suspect was indicted in Decem- and Assessment Unit (MOAU) ment responded to the ber 2005 for murder. In July of the TYC. This investigation fire. After extinguishing the fire, 2007, the suspect was found was conducted in conjunction which caused extensive dam- guilty and sentenced to 20 years with the TDCJ, Texas Office of age, officials found a female in prison. the Inspector General (OIG) and body in the rubble of the the OAG as part of a statewide burned home. Preliminary Suspect charged with the investigation into allegations of autopsy results suggested the murders of five people corruption within TYC. victim was deceased at the time On August 24, the Marble As part of the initial investi- of the fire, and had suffered Falls Police Department con- gation, the superintendent of multiple traumas consistent tacted Ranger Sgt. Garth Davis the MOAU was interviewed with homicide. and requested assistance in regarding issues such as past The police department locating a wanted person. A allegations involving assaults requested the assistance of suspect had murdered an and sexual assaults of inmates Ranger Sgts. Joey Gordon and individual in a bar in Marble and employees. The superinten- Kyle Dean, the State Fire Falls. dent assured investigators there Marshal’s Office and the DPS The Travis County Sheriff’s had never been any sexual Crime Lab in processing the Office contacted Sgt. Davis assaults during his tenure, and scene. stating the vehicle the suspect he said the worst cases he had used was located at a residence seen involving use of force were 2001 murder solved and in Jonestown. During the search minor incidents during the suspect sentenced of the residence, four people restraint of combative inmates. On February 7, the Travis were found deceased. It was The investigation of the County Sheriff’s Office re- later determined the individual MOAU revealed at least four quested that Ranger Sgt. Mat- was suspected of killing the cases of reported sexual assault thew Lindemann assist with a four persons and then fleeing to and several incidents of staff missing person investigation. New York. members being assaulted and The victim was last seen in Sgt. Davis, along with injured by inmates. These Travis County on January 14, Ranger Sgts. Joey Gordon and allegations had never been 2001. Investigators located the Matthew Lindemann, assisted investigated by law enforce- victim’s travel trailer and cars in locating the suspect and ment. Sgt. Cawthon obtained and obtained and executed gathering evidence at the crime and executed an , search warrants, seizing both scenes. The assailant was lo- charging the superintendent vehicles. cated in New York and arrested with false report to a peace At the time of her disap- for murder. On September 19, officer. Sgt. Cawthon and pearance, the victim was having the defendant was extradited officers from the OAG, TDCJ a home built in Kingsland, and from New York to Texas. and OIG participated in the the victim’s son-in-law was arrest. The superintendent was assisting with the construction booked into the Falls County of the home. Investigators Jail. searched the residence, and tests performed on-site indi- Fredericksburg arson and cated the presence of blood, homicide investigated indicating that foul play had On May 14, the Gillespie occurred. Evidence also re- County Sheriff’s Office received vealed that suspects had at-

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 29 Texas Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Team Cases Solved in 2007

further interviews. Subse- Ranger Sgt. Troy Wilson quently, they obtained viable assisted police investigators leads in the case and identified a and jointly conducted inter- possible suspect. views with key witnesses Sgts. Wilson and Vajdos related to the case. Subse- interviewed the suspect, who is quent to these interviews, The Texas Rangers Un- currently incarcerated in TDCJ investigators developed a solved Crimes Investigation for an unrelated homicide. On suspect, who was ultimately Team (UCIT) is led by a August 8, the suspect pled indicted by a Dallas County Ranger captain and lieutenant guilty to the charge of murder grand jury. On February 22, and staffed by eight Ranger and received an additional the suspect waived trial and sergeants whose mission is to sentence of 22 years confine- pleaded guilty to the murder. provide Texas law enforcement ment in TDCJ. The defendant was sentenced agencies with a to eight years process for investi- confinement in gating unsolved TDCJ. murders and serial or linked criminal 1988 murder transactions. suspect indicted On Dec. 27, Seguin murder 1988, a male was suspect charged reported missing to On Feb. 27, Wilson County 2000, a juvenile authorities by his male was fatally family. He was last stabbed while seen days earlier on attending a party December 24. On in Seguin. The February 20, 1989, Seguin Police the body of the Department had Texas Rangers on the UCIT examine crime scene blood spatter that missing victim was conducted an can yield clues in solving cold cases. located in a field in extensive investiga- Poth. An autopsy tion. However, the case went revealed the victim died of unsolved. Police investiga- Drug-related murder solved gunshot wounds to the head. tors submitted the case to On April 11, 2005, Dallas The case, investigated by the Texas Rangers UCIT for Police Department homicide Wilson County law enforce- review. detectives requested assistance ment, remained unsolved. Following review, Ranger from the UCIT regarding the Poth City Police Depart- Sgts. Troy Wilson and Jeff murder of a male in their city. ment officials contacted the Vajdos began re-investigat- The murder occurred on Dec. UCIT for assistance in solving ing the homicide by locating 26, 2003, and was believed to the case. Ranger Sgt. Trampas witnesses and conducting have been drug-related. Gooding re-investigated the

30 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report case and conducted witness sive investigation into this Ranger Sgt. J.D. interviews, developing homicide and yielded a grand Robertson developed new information that provided jury indictment against the information and evidence probable cause to arrest a common-law husband. that ultimately led to the suspect involved in the After a two-week trial in identification of a suspect. homicide. Marshall, the suspect was The suspect, who was identi- On May 22, a Wilson convicted of capital murder on fied as the victim’s son, was County grand jury returned October 17 and sentenced to indicted by a Bexar County a “true-bill” indictment life in prison. He will not be grand jury on June 27. against the suspect. eligible for parole until he has served 40 years. Stabbing suspect caught Husband gets life sentence On May 22, 2003, Lacy On April 23, 1996, a Victim’s son indicted for Lakeview police officers female, who resided in murder responded to a call regarding Hallsville, was brutally In Guadalupe County in an unresponsive male sitting murdered in her home. July 1997, a male was reported in a lawn chair in front of an From the onset of the inves- missing. Approximately three apartment. The male had tigation, Harrison County years later, his remains were been stabbed and died at the Sheriff’s Office investi- scene. gators focused on the During the initial victim’s common-law investigation, officers husband as a person identified a suspect of interest. and secured forensic During the initial evidence from the incident, the com- suspect’s vehicle. Inves- mon-law husband said tigators requested that that a “home inva- Ranger Sgt. J.D. sion” took place at his Robertson assist in the wife’s residence while investigation and he was there. The resubmit DNA evi- alleged assailants dence for testing. After attacked him, render- receiving the DNA ing him unconscious. results and conducting He said that when he interviews, Sgt. awoke, he discovered Texas Rangers from the UCIT piece together evidence Robertson presented from unsolved cases. Sometimes that evidence is uncov- the case to a McLennan his wife dead, and ered in unusual places. nothing had been County grand jury. On stolen from the residence. found near the Cibolo Creek in September 19, the grand jury Ongoing investigation Bexar County. A subsequent returned a “true-bill” indict- revealed the suspect in this autopsy ruled his death as ment against the suspect. case had recently convinced homicide. This investigation remains the victim to claim common- From the onset of the open pending a trial date. law privileges in order for investigation, foul play was him to be sole beneficiary of suspected. Few leads were Murder suspect guilty her life insurance policy. developed and the case re- The Angelina and Ranger Lt. Hank Whitman mained unsolved. In June 2004, Nacogdoches County and Ranger Sgts. Ronny the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Sheriff’s Offices submitted a Griffith and Jeff (J.D.) Office requested assistance homicide case to the Texas Robertson conducted exten- from the Ranger’s UCIT. Continued on page 32

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 31 Texas Rangers UCIT Continued from page 31 officers observed the victim Rangers UCIT for investiga- with a handgun in his hand, tive consideration. The and the cause of death was victim was last seen by his ruled as undetermined. mother on Jan. 18, 1999, as At the request of the he was getting into a vehicle police department, Ranger with a subject later identified Sgt. J.D. Robertson re- as an associate of the victim. opened the case. His subse- The victim was never heard quent investigation revealed from again. the victim’s wife was having Due to the victim’s an affair. Sgt. Robertson’s propensity to disappear for crime scene reconstruction extended periods of time, he efforts also indicated that was not reported missing the crime scene was staged until one year later. During to appear as a suicide. that time, rumors surfaced On Aug. 10, 2005, a the victim had been killed Cameron County grand jury by various people for differ- indicted the victim’s wife for ent reasons related to drug the murder of her trafficking. Eventually, law husband. After a two-week enforcement gained infor- trial, the defendant in this mation that indicated that case was found guilty of the victim and his associate murder on Nov. 22, 2007. had an altercation, resulting She received a sentence of in the victim’s death. Also, ten years probation. the victim had not been located after several searches by local, state and federal authorities. Ranger Sgt. A. J. Miller re-investigated the case and secured a grand jury indict- ment earlier in 2007. On Dec. 10, 2007, the defendant in this case was tried and found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to 20 years confinement in TDCJ.

Wife convicted of murder On Oct. 15, 2003, a male victim was reported de- ceased to the Brownsville Police Department. He had allegedly been found by his wife. Responding police

32 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Driver License Division

testing the system’s perfor- from the same convictions. In mance based on the anticipated contrast, the surcharges as- transaction volumes. They also sessed for DRP are in addition tested in conjunction with the to other reinstatement fees American Association of Motor required for other administra- Vehicle Administrators tive actions. The Department (AAMVA), a major interface has contracted with a third- that provides communication party vendor to process all between the states for commer- surcharge notices and payment cial and problem drivers. collections. The initial program The DLS pilot is scheduled notices were sent out in Sep- The Driver License Division to occur in two phases. The first tember 2004. Since that time, (DLD), led by Chief Judy phase is “going live” at DPS the number of participants Brown, issues Texas driver headquarters and encompasses enrolled in the program contin- licenses (DL) and identification the administrative functions of ues to grow. (ID) cards, collects, maintains the DLD. The second phase Senate Bill 1723 passed and provides driver records and includes installing the system at during the 80th Legislative investigates identity fraud. The select driver license offices. Session and became effective Division has 224 commissioned After the pilot phase is com- Sept. 1, 2007. After passage, the officers and 1,470 noncommis- pleted, statewide deployment of DLD developed rules for rees- sioned employees for a total of the new equipment and system tablishment of installment 1,694 personnel. access will begin. agreements and the Amnesty, The DLD is comprised of Incentive and Indigency pro- the following services: Adminis- grams. The Legislature created trative License Revocation these programs to provide a (ALR) Service, Field Service, reduction of surcharges for Fraud Investigation Unit (FIU) individuals who comply with and the Headquarters Service. the law and efforts at rehabilita- The DL Headquarters Service tion. encompasses Customer Service, The Division developed Driver Improvement and programs that reflect an Compliance (DIC), Driver individual’s compliance with Records and License Issuance. Driver Responsibility state traffic laws, as well as The Driver Responsibility compliance with the surcharge Driver License Reengineering program was enacted during program. As the various pro- The Driver License the 78th Legislative Session. This gram requirements are com- Reengineering (DLR) project is law established a system to pleted, implementation will designed to update the assess surcharges based on occur in a phased approach. Department’s legacy driver certain traffic offenses. The license system and provide a Driver Responsibility Program Image Verification System more secure driver license and (DRP) applies to offenses that aids law enforcement ID card for Texans. occurred on or after Sept. 1, The Legislature authorized The pilot date for the new 2003. funding for inclusion of image Driver License System (DLS) This program does not verification technology into the was in 2008. During 2007, the replace other administrative Driver License System for the team was testing and fine- suspensions, cancellations or purposes of deterring and tuning the programs and revocation actions that result preventing identity theft and

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 33 DL fraud. It uses facial recogni- and ID card photographs as well as data on self-insured tion and thumbprint compari- contained in the IVS in an effort entities. Following an extensive son technology to compare to locate the subject’s true multi-agency procurement existing photographs and identity. The suspect had pre- process, a vendor was selected thumb prints to the most recent sented a fictitious Texas driver to develop and maintain a images on file to locate multiple license and fraudulent check to database of insurance informa- fraudulent license issues and an Office Depot in Spring. After tion. The program’s goal is to unknown individuals. doing so, the suspect was scared reduce the number of unin- The Image Verification off and left the fictitious driver sured motorists in Texas, which System (IVS) is in use and has license and fraudulent check is estimated at 15 to 20 percent begun to provide assistance to behind. The fictitious photo- of all vehicles on the road. law enforcement officials, who graph was extracted from the Law enforcement officers, use the system to locate un- wanted bulletin and uploaded including the Highway Patrol, known individuals or identify into the IVS system. The IVS may use the database as an individuals with multiple driver system located the individual, additional tool to assist in verify- licenses or ID cards. In 2007, and the Harris County ing insurance during traffic more than 20 million driver Constable’s Office positively stops. Future plans for the license and identification card identified the suspect. Charges program include use in Driver photographs and more than 15 and a warrant are pending in License offices and inspection million thumb prints were this case. stations across the state. enrolled into the IVS, and the After DLR implementation, The Division’s responsibility process of comparing all photo- while utilizing the IVS, driver to this collaborative effort is to graphs to locate suspicious license issuance employees will ensure that all individuals and issuance data began. be able to verify the identity of companies that are “self-in- As a law enforcement tool, the individual at the time of sured” report the required data the IVS is proving to be ex- issuance for a DL or ID card. to DPS, which will then provide tremely valuable to DPS and its Issuance employees will com- the information to the vendor goal of reducing identity theft pare the current photograph of for storage in the database. and fraud. The IVS has identi- the individual against previous fied multiple cases of fraud, photographs on file. All original DRP surcharges ranging from individuals with DL or ID applicant photographs Two significant milestones two to nine different identities, taken during the course of achieved by the DRP at the through multiple issuances of business are automatically close of the first three years of driver licenses and identifica- compared nightly against all the program are: tion cards. Requests from photographs on file. Suspicious • April 2007—One million analysts across the agency to activity identified through this participants in the program. locate individuals suspected of process is forwarded to the • September 2007—Ex- having multiple identities Division’s Fraud Investigation ceeded $300 million in revenue through document fraud, or to Unit (FIU) for investigation. collections. identify unknown or missing As of Dec. 28, 2007, the individuals, is providing posi- Insurance Verification Project program had generated tive results. The 79th Legislative Session 3,168,857 surcharge cases. This The IVS was instrumental in approved Senate Bill 1670, includes first, second and third- identifying fraudulent activity which required the Texas year notices. Of these notices, with a case that occurred in Department of Insurance, 1,202,781 drivers have cases December 2007. The DLD TXDOT, Department of Infor- enrolled in the program. received a request from the mation Resources and DPS to The program had seen a Department’s Bureau of Infor- jointly establish an insurance significant impact on weekly mation Analysis to run the verification program to main- collections with the third-year photograph of an unknown tain data on insured drivers notices mailed in October 2006. wanted person against all DL from all insurance companies, While weekly collections

34 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report peaked at more than $4 million Percentage of Compliance for DRP Cases in February 2007, collections averaged $3.2 million for the 100% remainder of fiscal year 2007. 26% The individuals participat- 80% 58% 59% 64% ing in the program represent 60% 70% about six percent of all persons in Texas who are licensed to 40% 71% 20% 39% 39% drive or hold a Texas ID Card. 27% 36% • Approximately 80 percent 0% maintain a driver license. Points Intoxication No Ins/ No DL Total • 16 percent hold an ID card. DWLI • Four percent are unli- Percent Complied Percent Outstanding censed records. While the number of indi- viduals in the program in- DPS Crash Records Bureau, data entry (WDE) component creases, the percentage for the including employees, salaries of the CRIS application, and types of offenses in the program and budgets to TXDOT. this component remains in the remains constant. The request for proposal to pilot stage. Troopers from HP The chart (above right) obtain office lease space for the Region Six, in Central Texas, are represents the number of bureau was posted by the Texas submitting crash data to Crash surcharge notices in compliance Building and Procurement Records via a web-based data- and default. Commission on July 18, with a entry application. With the projected award of lease on successful completion of the DRP revenue billed September 4 and an expected pilot project, the WDE compo- On Nov. 30, 2007, the lease start date of March 1, nent of CRIS will become Department reached a signifi- 2008, or earlier. available to other areas in DPS. cant milestone by exceeding $1 The Crash Records Informa- Deployment to outside agencies billion in revenue assessed tion System (CRIS) continues to is scheduled to begin in 2009. under the DRP law. As of Dec. move forward. Processing of 28, 2007, the program has 2005, 2006 and 2007 crash 2007 Renew Online campaign generated a total of reports in the CRIS system As an alternative to in-office $1,019,369,348 in billed assess- continues in a joint initiative driver license transactions, ments with $341,165,572 between the Crash Records customers have the option to collected. The majority of Bureau and their vendor. renew or change an address by assessments are consistently for The Highway Patrol Divi- using the Internet or mailing in the convictions of intoxication sion began piloting the web their transaction via the U.S. and no insurance. The graph (below right) DRP Cases Generated and Revenue Billed demonstrates the disparity of intoxication and no insurance Points assessments compared to all 90,760 notice types. $10,127,266 Intoxication No DL 388,774 $409,852,400 Crash Records Bureau moves 861,647 to the Texas Department of $101,373,705 Transportation No Ins/DWLI 1,827,676 Pursuant to Senate Bill 766, $498,015,977 the DPS and the Texas Depart- ment of Transportation (TXDOT) have transitioned the

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 35 Postal Service. Additionally, wait-time in Driver License Alternative Renewal Transactions customers without computers the office. FY03-FY07 can use a telephone via an The interactive voice recognition charts to 500,000 425,461 (IVR) system to renew their the right 395,731 400,000 367,993 license. depict 337,429 278,871 284,323 Over the last two years, the alternate 300,000 270,991 258,740 190,380 Department has aggressively driver 200,000 156,710 pursued campaigns to educate license 100,000 65,911 the public on the availability of renewal and 42,283 37,131 55,105 51,681 alternative ways to handle their change of 0 driver license business, without address Mail Web IVR having to visit a driver license transactions office. Advertising campaigns, for fiscal featuring public service an- years 2003 Driver License Alternative DuplicateTransactions nouncements, billboards, to 2007. FY03-FY07 pamphlets, posters and website 500,000 notices, have been very effective Customer 418,163 in reaching customers who may service 400,000 369,798 299,614 only visit the driver license contacts 300,000 office once every six years. In the 238,504 200,000 Chief of Media Relations 2007 calen- 117,433 100,000 Tela Mange coordinated the dar year, 52,954 39,459 29,253 19,832 17,431 2007 Renew Online campaign. the Cus- 0 This year’s campaign focused tomer on: San Antonio, El Paso, Service Mail Web Beaumont, Midland, Odessa, Bureau Corpus Christi and Amarillo. handled approximately 552,000 status of driving privileges and Statistically, our records phone contacts and approxi- explanations of the law. support our efforts in educating mately 72,000 e-mail contacts. Driver status—Customer the public because alternate The three highest volumes inquiries include: questions renewal and change of address of phone contacts received related to eligibility of driving options are on the rise. This is pertained to the: status, license status and in- excellent news as increased DRP program—Customer structions on how to achieve customer use of alternate driver inquiries include: questions compliance. license services reduces the regarding correspondence number of visitors to the driver received, surcharge amounts FMCSA announces grant license office and ultimately, the owed, how to pay surcharges, awards In May 2007, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) an- nounced the award of $1,060,846 in federal funding to Texas under the Commercial Driver License Program DPS uses public awareness campaigns to educate the public on the availability of alternative ways to handle their driver license business, without visiting a driver license office. These advertising campaigns Improvement grant employ a variety of methods of reaching the public, including billboards, such as the one above. program, an annual

36 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report competitive process to assist testing to an additional 25 SR-22 must be maintained. states with improving their licensing offices, As a part of the DLR Commercial Driver License • $342,350 to conduct an project, the Division is moving (CDL) programs. image comparison of Texas forward with research for an State proposals are evalu- drivers with states along the I- interactive voice recognition ated for adherence to eligibility 10 corridor for possible fraudu- system to increase customer requirements and national lent activity, and satisfaction, reduce the amount priorities. Since funding is • $47,391 for the develop- of live customer contacts and limited (only $19 million was ment and implementation of an enable agents to handle custom- available in fiscal year 2007 or internal toll-free fraud hotline. ers more efficiently. $300,000 for each state), not all Driver Improvement states received funding. In programs—Customer inquiries Driver License Express January 2007, Texas submitted include: questions related to provides curb-side service four proposals, of which the convictions for driving without The Driver License Express following three were subse- financial responsibility (liability (DLE) is a 35-foot RV, intro- quently awarded: insurance), how to obtain an duced to the public in April • $671,105 to extend SR-22 (monitored liability 2001. It is outfitted with all the automated CDL knowledge insurance) and how long the necessary equipment to provide on-the-spot driver license services, using a power genera- tor and satellite connectivity. In 2007, it was refurbished and continues to serve customers across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond. Technicians in the DLE have provided driver license renew- als, original and renewal identi- fication certificates to more than 36,000 customers at more than 345 organizations, including corporations, hospitals, com- munity colleges, government organizations and universities. The DLE has also served as a By visiting the Driver License Express, customers take advantage of on-the-spot driver backup office when offices are license services. The RV is outfitted with a power generator and satellite connectivity. closed temporarily. Above and beyond its regular duties, the DLE has expanded its service by partici- pating in more than 49 commu- nity outreach programs, such as Boy Scouts of America confer- ences, local law enforcement and firefighter fairs, law en- forcement youth days, local community public safety fairs and job fairs sponsored by the community.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 37 DLD wins award ers are the 23 nonexempt Katie’s Law affects older The American Association of companies that also utilize the drivers Motor Vehicle Administrators online services to attain ap- Rick and Johna Bolka, (AAMVA) announced the proximately 775,000 driver parents of Katie Bolka, worked winners of the Public Affairs records per month, resulting in with DPS, Sen. John Carona and Consumer Education more than $3.4 million in and Rep. Dan Branch to suc- (PACE) Awards for 2007. The monthly revenue to the state. cessfully pass House Bill 84, DLD won this award in the Agencies that are exempt from referred to as Katie’s Law. In print category at both the paying the statutory fee for 2006, Katie Bolka, 17, was killed regional and international level driver records request more by an elderly driver in a car for the Department’s Renew than 17,000 records on a crash in Dallas. The Bolka’s goal Online Billboard entry. monthly basis. Also, more than is to create a uniform driving The AAMVA PACE Awards 28,000 customers per month standard for elderly drivers recognize public relations, request their personal driver across the nation. public affairs and consumer record via Texas Online, result- Katie’s Law amends the education excellence among the ing in more than $265,000 in Texas Transportation Code by motor vehicle, law enforcement monthly revenue. requiring individuals 85 years and traffic safety agencies across old or older to renew their North America. The Renew Glenda Dawson Donate Life driver license every two years Online Billboard campaign was Texas Registry instead of every six years. recognized as creative and cost- Senate Bill 1500 renamed Effective September 1, the effective with a well-crafted and the Donor Education, Aware- law also requires drivers 79 executed message. ness and Registry Program to years of age and older to visit a the Glenda Dawson Donate driver license office to renew Texas Online Services Life—Texas Registry. The regis- their driver licenses. These Texas Online is an official try name change required the drivers will not be eligible for website for the State of Texas DLD to update its website and mail-in or web-renewal that provides access to custom- several forms and develop service. As with all drivers who ers for various state and govern- program specifications for the renew in person, these drivers ment agencies. The DLD new DLS. also will be required to pass a eCommerce section receives The Department of State vision examination. various requests for driver Health Services summarized If DPS personnel decide records through the Texas the registry data, showing that additional tests are neces- Online system that generate a 49,651 certified donors entered sary to determine if the person significant amount of revenue into the Registry from Septem- can safely operate a motor for the state. These eCommerce ber 2006 through May 2007 vehicle, then tests such as a customers are segmented into with DPS responsible for written or driving exam may be three different categories: small submitting 93.9 percent of required. Personnel may also browser-based companies, certified donors to the Registry. refer drivers to the Medical exempt and nonexempt compa- Advisory Board if the driver nies and any individual who indicates a possible medical would like to request their condition that may preclude the personal driver record. safe operation of a motor ve- The 223 small browser- hicle. based companies, on average, request more than 4,500 driver Administrative License records per month, which is Revocation only a portion of the driver The Administrative License record requests that the Revocation (ALR) program in eCommerce section obtains on the DIC Bureau continues to see a monthly basis. Other custom- a significant increase in the

38 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report number of hear- ing requests over the last five years. Since the inception of the ALR program in 1995, DIC has scheduled more than 226,000 cases for administrative hearing, with a 32 percent increase The graph above represents the court cases scheduled for ALR hearings over the last 12 years. in hearings requested during on the subject if it is warranted. Illegal immigrant arrested the previous 5 years. If interrogation reveals that with fraudulent documents The graph above represents additional subjects are involved After Tr. Laurencio Adame the court cases scheduled for in a counterfeiting or other checked with ICE on a subject ALR hearings over the last 12 fraudulent document activity, who presented a counterfeit years. the information is turned over Social Security card and ex- to the Division’s FIU. pired immigration documents Driver License Field Service The Field Service commis- to a technician in the Conroe The DLD Field Service sioned personnel’s enforcement office, he found that the man consists of noncommissioned duties vary greatly. During a was in the country illegally. ICE and commissioned personnel. routine day, troopers arrest officials asked that the man be Their responsibilities include subjects in the driver license transported to the Montgomery but are not limited to: partici- office under the influence of County jail, where a customs pating in safety programs, alcohol and drugs and in some agent would take custody. A performing administrative tasks cases in possession of illegal search of the subject turned up in support of an assigned area, substances. Troopers serve a Virginia driver license in conducting criminal investiga- numerous criminal warrants another person’s name with the tions and implementing fraud each day ranging from check subject’s photo as well as phone prevention and protection fraud to kidnapping and mur- numbers to persons in the programs. der. Probation and parole Middle East. While questioning Field Service noncommis- violators, along with runaway the subject, he indicated that he sioned personnel are respon- children, are encountered in obtained the fake Social Secu- sible for identifying all appli- offices throughout the state. rity card in Virginia. cants who apply for a driver When serving warrants and license or identification card executing arrests, troopers must Fraud Investigation Unit and must be extremely obser- at times pursue violators on foot FIU troopers investigate vant in order to detect persons or subdue those who physically leads from Field Service troop- presenting fraudulent docu- resist arrest. Troopers searching ers and other sources regarding ments. All Field Service person- subjects resulting in an arrest investigations that have led to nel are trained in fraudulent have encountered and confis- subjects assuming multiple document recognition. When cated illegal weapons such as identities or providing fraudu- technicians discover suspicious guns and knifes. lent identity documents. Other documents, troopers are alerted The following incidents cases involved thousands of to scrutinize the suspected reflect how noncommissioned fraudulent documents and the documents to verify if they are and commissioned personnel arrests of numerous subjects. authentic or fraudulent. If the use their exceptional training FIU Troopers also serve as documents are fraudulent or and experience in identifying experts on identity and driver being misused, the trooper will fraudulent activities. licensing issues on task forces interview, arrest and file charges throughout the state. These task

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 39 forces include the U. S. Secret gators Service Central Texas Electronic determined Crimes Task Force, the Secret that he was Service South Texas Regional an illegal Task Force on Identity Theft alien from Crimes, the North Texas Fraud Mexico. On and Identity Theft Task Force in February 28, cooperation with the Dallas 2007, the County District Attorney and subject was the Montgomery County convicted on District Attorney’s Task Force one count of on Identity Theft. false state- In conjunction with the ment and FIU’s enforcement activity, the subse- A suspect assumed the identity of a deceased 12-year-old boy. After unit assists the public by pro- quently was obtaining identification documents in the boy’s name, the suspect viding information and training ordered bought 11 vehicles and the home, pictured above, using the false on how to avoid becoming a deported by identity. victim of identity theft and an immigration judge. officers seized more than 20 procedures to restore the legiti- credit cards, a State of Texas mate identity of a person who Identity Theft plumber’s license, four bank has become a victim of identity The U.S. Department of accounts, a Social Security card, theft. The FIU developed a State requested FIU Investigator a Texas DL and a U.S. Passport website and brochure for J.R. Rean to assist in an investi- (all in the victim’s name). It was victims of identity theft. In gation regarding an unknown known that the suspect was not addition, the FIU provides individual who had assumed in the U.S. legally and appeared training for the law enforce- the identity of a deceased 12- to be subject to removal pro- ment community in fraudulent year-old boy. The suspect was ceedings. An ICE hold was document recognition and identified using the Image placed on the suspect. Federal identity theft investigations. Verification System and con- charges under the Federal Listed below are several firmed through additional Identity Theft Act are pending examples of investigations analytical research. as well. performed by the FIU. In March 1997, the suspect had presented a Utah DL with Officer Impersonation the victim’s identifying informa- FIU Analyst Brad Schamber tion to obtain a Texas DL. On assisted ICE with the investiga- Feb. 5, 2006, the suspect re- tion of an individual who had newed the Texas DL in the DPS used altered documents (birth Plano DL Office. Since obtain- certificates) to obtain an Illinois ing the deceased boy’s identity, driver license. The subject then the suspect acquired and regis- used his Illinois license to obtain tered 11 vehicles with the Texas a Texas DL. Prior to the Department of Transportation subject’s arrest, he had falsely and purchased a home valued represented himself as a special at more than $220,000. agent with the Federal Emer- On August 29, 2007, with gency Management Agency the assistance of the U.S. State (FEMA), complete with a badge Department, ICE and the North emblazoned “Special Agent”, Texas Identity Theft Task Force, photo ID and business cards. DPS officers arrested the sus- On Aug. 1, 2006, the subject pect at his home. During the was arrested in Denton. Investi- execution of the warrant,

40 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Administration Division

The Administration Division provides a wide variety of core support functions for the De- partment. The division includes the Crime Records Service, the Regulatory Licensing Service and the Staff Support Service. The Administration Division, led by Chief Burton Christian, has 868.5 employees—58 commissioned and 810.5 non- commissioned.

Crime Records Service The Crime Records Service is the Texas state control termi- nal for three national criminal justice programs: the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the national Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) pro- gram and the Interstate Identifi- cation Index, which is a national FAST (Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas) index of criminal history Increased legislative requirements for fingerprint-based criminal records. Each system requires background checks created problems for local jails (where those the compilation of records from who needed fingerprints for jobs or to adopt children would nor- local agencies throughout the mally go). DPS entered into an agreement with a vendor to provide state into a statewide file from fingerprinting services at neutral locations across the state. The which data is forwarded to FBI above map shows where fingerprinting services are available. national databases. The systems Ninety-nine percent of all Texans can find fingerprinting services provide critical operational data within 50 miles of their home. to law enforcement agencies in Texas and throughout the sponses within 12 seconds to devices in all 252 counties that country. inquiries from police depart- have their own jail. The pro- The Texas Crime Informa- ments, sheriffs’ offices and gram, which took nearly two tion Center (TCIC) provides other criminal justice users. years to complete, will provide immediate access 24 hours a TCIC also provides a direct link quick, accurate arrest informa- day, seven days a week to law to the NCIC so that law en- tion to DPS. enforcement agencies through- forcement officers throughout The UCR program gathers out the state to data regarding Texas know instantly whether a data on crimes reported to, or the status of stolen property and vehicle, a boat or other property known to, the police and pub- the wanted, missing, sex of- under investigation is stolen or lishes these statistics semiannu- fender or protective order status a person is wanted anywhere in ally. The statistics are used by of persons. TCIC is accessed via the country. researchers and policy makers the Texas Law Enforcement In 2007, the Crime Records to study trends, allocate re- Telecommunications System Service completed the installa- sources and set policy. (TLETS), which provides re- tion of LiveScan fingerprinting Under Texas law, all persons

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 41 arrested for offenses categorized Regulatory Licensing Service handgun license document, as Class B misdemeanors and The Regulatory Licensing training of handgun instructors above are fingerprinted. The Service administers concealed and other necessary functions. fingerprints are then sent to the handgun and private security Crime Records Service for licensing and regulation re- Staff Support Service processing through the Auto- sponsibilities. Staff Support Service mated Fingerprint Identification The Private Security Bureau performs many diverse support System (AFIS). After the person administers Chapter 1702 of functions for the commissioned has been identified through the Texas Occupations Code. and noncommissioned employ- AFIS, the arrest data is entered Functions include the commis- ees throughout the state, in- into the Texas Computerized sioning of private security cluding employee recruitment, Criminal History file and is officers, the licensing of compa- training, promotion and available over TLETS to all law nies and the registration of the wellness. The bureaus within enforcement agencies in Texas. following individuals: private the service are responsible for More than 80 percent of the investigators, unarmed security maintaining all DPS-owned fingerprints submitted to DPS officers, alarm system installers, buildings, fleet vehicles, em- are sent electronically via security salespersons, personal ployment and training records. livescan devices that take protection officers, private The service consists of the fingerprints electronically rather security instructors, security following bureaus: Building than by the old-fashioned ink- consultants, locksmiths and Program, Fleet Operations, and-paper method. electronic access installers. General Services, Human In 2007, Crime Records Companies licensed include Resources, Psychological Ser- took over management of the private investigation, guard, vices, Radio Frequency Unit Texas Data Exchange (TDEx) alarm system, guard dog, and the Training Academy. Staff from the Texas Governor’s armored car, electronic access Support Service also includes Office and the Governor’s control, armed courier and the Equal Employment Officer. Division of Emergency Manage- locksmith companies. ment. TDEx is a law enforce- The Concealed Handgun Building Program Bureau ment incident sharing system Licensing Bureau processes The Building Program designed to be used by all local applications for Texas concealed Bureau (BPB) works with law enforcement agencies in handgun licenses under Chap- Department employees, the Texas as a significant aid to ter 411 of the Texas Govern- Texas Facilities Commission, investigations. It also is de- ment Code. Activities include architects, engineers, contrac- signed to be the state’s method evaluation of the application to tors and regulatory agencies to of connection to the FBI’s determine eligibility, creation of coordinate building design, National Data Exchange, which the license and maintenance of renovation and new construc- was scheduled to start in Febru- the license record. The bureau tion projects, as well as the ary 2008. takes action to suspend or purchase of land. The Crime Records Service revoke licenses when statutory The bureau also manages also is responsible for the provisions are violated. telephone services and equip- statewide sex offender registra- The bureau also certifies ment, coordinates headquarters tion database, which compiles qualified handgun instructors recycling efforts and assists field sex offender registration infor- following a process very similar offices with major repairs and mation it receives from local to the concealed handgun utility cost monitoring. The police agencies responsible for license application activities. Department owns 268 office handling sex offender registra- The bureau administers the buildings and leases 44 facilities tion. There were more than application and review process throughout the state. BPB 50,000 registered sex offenders in coordination with other DPS manages approximately in Texas at the end of 2007. areas for the field background 1,978,291 square feet of floor investigations of applicants, space at headquarters and in creation of the actual concealed the eight regions.

42 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Equal Employment employees in collaboration with Fleet Operations Bureau Opportunity (EEO) Office the Employee Relations Office. Fleet Operations is respon- The EEO Officer is respon- The EEO officer is charged sible for the acquisition, installa- sible for ensuring compliance with providing EEO and sexual tion, maintenance and disposal with federal and state statutes harassment prevention training of the Department’s emergency governing employment law, to all new headquarters em- equipment, two-way communi- discrimination and sexual ployees during their initial cations and vehicles. harassment. As part of this orientation session. The EEO This bureau manages a fleet responsibility, the EEO officer officer also coordinates this of approximately 3,673 vehicles receives and processes com- training for Department em- and consists of the Automotive plaints of discrimination and ployees hired in field locations. Shop, the Communications harassment from applicants and Shop, the Parts Department and the Fleet Office.

Physical Readiness Program General Services Bureau DPS has been conducting testing standard for current The General Services Bureau employee physical readiness commissioned employees was provides support for depart- testing since August 1, 2006, 80 percent of the validated ment employees through the in compliance with a 2005 minimum standard. Recruits General Services office staff, legislative rider. The rider have to meet the 100 percent Mail Operations, Reproduction, requires the Department to standard to graduate from General Stores, Receiving develop a minimum physical recruit school. Warehouse and Surplus Prop- standard that all commis- The 80 percent standard erty sections. sioned employees under testing allowed employees to Schedule C must meet to gradually become acclimated Human Resources Bureau receive any promotion or with the testing requirements. The Human Resources legislative pay increase. Testing results received Bureau is responsible for train- The Department devel- from the field offices and ing and advising Department oped and validated seven headquarters through August management staff and employ- physical activities to gauge the 31, 2007 indicate that 88 ees regarding human resources physical preparedness of our percent of DPS commissioned policies and procedures. commissioned officers. officers participated in testing The staff ensures compli- Employees unable to pass with a pass rate of 95 percent. ance with the Family Medical all seven activities are pro- The pass rate for the male Leave Act, the Fair Labor Stan- vided the opportunity to officers was 96 percent and 79 dards Act, the Americans with participate in alternate sce- percent for the female officers. Disabilities Act, the State Work- nario testing conducted only The pass rate for officers 40 ers’ Compensation Act and the at Austin Headquarters. The years or older was 93 percent State Classification Act. The validated Job Task Scenarios and 97 percent for officers staff also administers the are three timed events that younger than 40. Department’s sick-leave pool, commissioned members of Beginning September 1, other extraordinary leave the Department could reason- 2007, the standards were programs and the mandatory ably be expected to encounter raised to 90 percent of the drug testing program. The and overcome in their duties minimum established standard bureau is the custodian of as peace officers that demon- for all commissioned officers. records of 8,041 current em- strate minimum physical All commissioned officers ployees and 2,904 former abilities required for the job. will be required to participate employees. All employees were en- in the testing process by The Recruiting Office couraged to participate during March 2008. provides an ongoing recruiting the first year. The initial effort to attract qualified appli- cants for Department commis-

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 43 Looking for hundreds of good men and women: DPS steps up recruiting efforts Faced with filling upwards of 600 anticipated commis- sioned openings over the next two years, DPS recruiters have had to become much more creative in finding qualified applicants. In April, DPS was able to film a public service an- nouncement with NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, who encouraged viewers to con- sider a career with DPS. Troopers also staffed an infor- mation booth about DPS career opportunities at the Texas Motor Speedway during In April, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart filmed a television commercial urging viewers a race. to consider becoming Texas state troopers. Stewart, who drives a Chevrolet, tells Among other changes viewers that if they join the DPS, they could “drive the company car” too. made in the recruiting pro- ing graduation. Currently, Department on the radio and cess: guaranteed stations are consid- in newspapers at no cost to • The Department imple- ered only for hardship stations DPS. Local troopers will be mented a paid internship that are traditionally hard to fill. encouraged to reach out to program that allows successful • Recruiters are using off- minority community leaders applicants to join the DPS site testing when appropriate. in Texas to establish positive payroll until the next recruit The military Army Career and recruitment efforts. school begins. Interns are Alumni Program centers and • Consideration is being stationed throughout the state colleges contacted have agreed given to providing current and receive a broad overview to provide test sites with ad- employees a savings bond for of the Department. The first vanced notice of testing. The successfully recruiting a part of the internship program Army Career and Alumni qualified applicant. is a weeklong orientation at Program centers will advertise DPS headquarters in Austin. • Recruiters have visited scheduled test dates. Interns then go to a field office several states with limited job • Department members for the remainder of the opportunities, hoping to have identified large minority internship, learning more attract applicants. church groups in Alabama about the Texas Highway and Mississippi, and these Patrol, the Driver License groups have agreed to Division, the Criminal Law advertise on behalf of the Enforcement Division and the Texas Ranger Division. Right: A DPS pursuit vehicle • Applicants and the chain was on display at the Texas of command can sign a letter Motor Speedway during a race. Tr. Lonny Haschel was that guarantees that the among troopers who talked applicant will be assigned to a about DPS with the crowds. particular duty station follow- Photo by Eddie King

44 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report sioned and positions. During The Florence 2007, this office tested 577 Firing Range applicants to staff four recruit provides state of schools, ultimately calling 419 the art firearms of those applicants to the training to DPS schools. In 2007, the office officers and those from other hired four sergeants to adminis- agencies. ter pre-employment polygraph examinations to applicants and established the DPS internship program. The Law Enforcement Promotional Section adminis- ters the promotional process for commissioned positions and some noncommissioned field positions. In 2007, this office tive assistant and seven grant- Training Bureau administered 42 separate pro- funded victim service counse- Training provides an array motional processes that resulted lors stationed throughout the of training courses to the in 2,200 applications and 195 state. Programs within the Department’s commissioned candidates being placed on bureau consist of specific and noncommissioned employ- eligibility lists. services provided by the staff ees and officers from other law The Risk Management psychologist, Victim Services, enforcement agencies at local, Section processed a total of 593 Critical Incident Response Team state and federal levels of gov- workers’ compensation claims and the Employee Assistance ernment. The bureau also resulting in lost time from work Program. includes the Administrative or medical expenses. In 2007, In 2007, the staff psycholo- Training Unit, the Motorcycle workers’ compensation for the gist had 202 individual psycho- Safety Training Unit and the agency were $2,198,620. therapy sessions. The Victim Bicycle Safety Program. The Employment and Services director and regional In 2007, Training taught Compensation Section com- counselors assisted 3,448 crime more than 204 different courses pletes job analyses and evalua- victims, providing assistance to in the three major programs: tions of agency job descriptions 1,554 victims on an ongoing Recruit School, In-Service and salary classifications. The basis. The volunteer chaplains Schools and Specialized section also oversees agency job contributed 2,015 hours to Schools. postings, including the process- victim services. The Critical City, county and federal ing of approximately 15,265 Incident Response Team had 30 agencies frequently use the applicants for employment in contacts with the Employee Florence firing range. The 2007. Assistance Program, reporting Florence staff regularly tests 96 requests for assistance from equipment, such as protective Psychological Services employees and family mem- vests and weapons and has The Psychological Services bers. facilitated the transition to a Bureau provides a comprehen- holographic sight system for the sive program of psychological Radio Frequency Unit newly acquired rifle as a result services to DPS employees and The Radio Frequency Unit of testing and recommenda- family members, to victims of works to facilitate interoperable tions. crimes and to affected commu- radio communications through- The Administrative Training nities. out the state by providing Unit provides the resources to The bureau consists of a guidance and assistance to local, encourage individual values, staff psychologist, a victim regional, state and federal growth and opportunity by services director, an administra- public safety entities. providing instruction on a

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 45 variety of topics spanning advanced motorcycle operator Program, which certifies bicycle management and supervisory training courses are offered in safety instructors, maintains issues, employee communica- more than 80 locations across bicycle collision data and dis- tions issues, professional devel- Texas. The courses include 15 tributes bicycle safety informa- opment, safety, wellness and hours of instruction consisting tion and materials. motivation. of five hours of classroom and The Motorcycle Safety Unit ten hours of range activities. administers the Texas Motor- More than 34,072 Texans cycle Operator Training and attended motorcycle training in Safety program and the ATV 2007. Education and Certification The Training Academy program. Contracted basic and oversees the Bicycle Safety

46 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Emergency Management Division

The Emergency Manage- Governor’s homeland security partment of State Health Ser- ment Division (EMD) is charged strategy and administering vices on planning for the state’s with carrying out a comprehen- homeland security grant pro- response to a potential pan- sive all-hazards emergency grams in the state. demic influenza outbreak. management program for the The EMD Training and state and with assisting cities, Preparedness Exercise Unit provides a diverse counties and state agencies in EMD maintains the State of curriculum of emergency implementing their own emer- Texas Emergency Management management and hazardous gency management programs. Plan and other specialized state materials training for state and The Division, led by Chief Jack emergency plans, such as the local emergency responders, Colley, has 176 employees and a State Hurricane Evacuation & state, local and regional officials reserve corps of more than 200 Sheltering Plan. Part of the and volunteer groups that assist part-time workers who are evacuation plan in 2007 in- during disasters. Training is activated during disasters. cluded developing procedures conducted at facilities in Austin A comprehensive emergency on identifying and tracking and at other locations around management program includes evacuees during major evacua- the state by the EMD staff and pre- and post-disaster mitigation tions. instructors from other state of known hazards to reduce EMD promulgates state agencies. During 2007, EMD their impact; preparedness standards for local emergency training programs delivered activities, such as emergency management plans, assists cities more than 59,000 student- planning, training and exercises; and counties in developing hours of instruction. provisions for effective response emergency plans and reviews The Training Unit also to emergency situations; and those plans for compliance with assisted local governments in recovery programs for major state planning standards. planning and conducting disasters. EMD is also respon- During 2007, the EMD emergency exercises to test sible for supporting develop- Plans Unit reviewed more than plans and procedures, training ment and implementation of the 5,700 local planning documents and equipment and monitored from jurisdic- local emergency exercises. tions through- Cities and counties reported out Texas. conducting more than 125 The Pre- emergency exercises during the paredness year. EMD also sponsors an Section worked emergency exercise program of with the De- state, local and regional emer-

The Ultimate Roadblock Traffic across the was stopped due to the heavy snow which occurred the week following Christ- mas. The photos (above and right) were taken on January 4, 2007, on US-87 at Texline in Dallam County. The Texas Department of Transportation moved the snow on the Texas side of the line, but New Mexico was a little slower to respond.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 47 Flooding in the Central Texas area in May caused much damage. This vehicle was washed off the road near Temple.

Photo courtesy Waco Tribune-Herald Photo courtesy Waco

gency exercises funded by local emergency management The SOC staff coordinates homeland security grants. planning documents and state assistance to local govern- Exercises are planned, con- delivery of emergency manage- ments when the capabilities and ducted and evaluated by a ment and hazardous materials resources available to those contractor with input from training. The Preparedness governments are insufficient to EMD and the participants. Section and other EMD staffers deal with emergency situations. The EMD Preparedness also organized the 2007 State During major emergencies, the Section administers U.S. De- Hurricane Preparedness Con- state agencies and volunteer partment of Homeland Security ference conducted in Galveston groups that comprise the state Emergency Management and the 2007 State Homeland Emergency Management Performance Grants, which Security Conference in San Council convene at the SOC to support both EMD and local Antonio. More than 2,000 state identify, mobilize and deploy emergency management pro- and local emergency responders state and volunteer group grams. EMD contracts for and officials attended the resources to respond to emer- operation of a statewide mutual Hurricane Conference and gencies. aid system, state and local more than 2,700 attended the The SOC is co-located with radiological emergency pre- Homeland Security Conference. the Bureau of Information paredness and emergency Analysis, staffed around the shelter and mass care support. Threat monitoring and clock by Criminal Intelligence The Preparedness Section also emergency response Service personnel. The BIA operates the Special Needs EMD manages and staffs collects, analyzes and dissemi- Evacuation Tracking System, the State Operations Center, nates information on suspicious which is used during major which serves as the state warn- incidents and potential security disasters to identify and moni- ing point and primary state threats to local, state and federal tor the location and status of direction and control facility. It agencies and officials. (For more evacuees with special needs, operates around the clock to information on BIA, please see pets and companion animals monitor threats, make notifica- page 19.) and evacuation buses. tion of threats and provide EMD’s Regional Liaison The Preparedness Section information on emergency Officers (RLOs) are the continued updates of state incidents to local, state and division’s eyes and ears around emergency plans, reviews of federal officials. the state. They assist local

48 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report During flooding in and July – leading to unprec- June in Central edented and prolonged opera- Texas, a family tions. In terms of time, National prepares to be Weather Service experts said evacuated via helicopter from the low pressure system that sat Smithwick near over Texas for weeks, beginning Marble Falls. about May 23, caused one of the longest lasting storm and flood events in the last 100 years. In terms of the sheer size of the geographical area, these response and recovery opera-

Texas Military Forces photo Texas by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Gale tions were the largest ever officials in conducting emer- The Public Utility Commission conducted in Texas history. At gency preparedness programs, closely monitored utility infra- one point, state resources, teach a variety of emergency structure to meet the challenge including boats, trucks and management courses and of maintaining electric power aviation resources coordinated identify needs. They also advise service. Texas Department of by EMD, were deployed from local officials during incidents Transportation personnel and Wichita County in the north to and disasters and help coordi- equipment treated roadways Cameron County at Texas’ nate state emergency resource over a wide area. Major trans- southernmost tip. support. During the year, new portation corridors affected Numerous personnel with RLO positions were added in included IH-10, IH-20, IH-30, Texas Task Force 1 and Texas Victoria, Mineral Wells and IH-35, IH-40 and IH-45—most Task Force 2, Texas Military Alpine. of the interstates in Texas. Forces, the Texas Department of In 2007, the SOC monitored In April, the State Opera- Parks & Wildlife, the General more than 10,000 incidents tions Center responded as Land Office and swift water around the state and EMD severe storms and tornadoes rescue teams, were deployed carried out field responses to struck Cactus in Moore County along the length of the I –35 more than 500 serious local and Tulia in Swisher County, corridor, along with high-profile emergencies. The vast majority while Denton experienced vehicles, patrol vehicles, of those responses were related serious flooding. State resources hovercraft, boats and helicop- to high winds, tornadoes and were activated April 24 due to a ters. The severe weather, floods floods: high threat of severe weather to and flashfloods occurring across In January, a cold front 70 counties across a 60,000- an area the size of the state of pushed into the Texas Pan- square-mile area. Mississippi began to be de- handle, bringing freezing rain, A tornado that struck Eagle scribed by weather experts as sleet and some snow in the Pass on April 24 may have had “rain bombs.” Marble Falls Panhandle and North Texas. wind speeds of up to 150 mph, experienced a “rain bomb” on Freezing rain and some flooding with a path nearly one mile June 27 as 18 inches of rain were experienced in Central long and one-quarter mile wide. struck the town. Eventually, a Texas, Northeast Texas and Ten people were killed. total of 78 counties were listed Houston areas during the President George W. Bush under the federal disaster following week. Texas Military issued federal disaster declara- declaration. Forces (TMF) deployed person- tions for Moore, Swisher, Texas continues to lead the nel and vehicles to support Maverick and Denton counties nation in the number of feder- winter weather response opera- early in May. ally declared disasters. The tions on the IH-20 and IH-40 Meanwhile, an extremely events described above resulted corridors. Assets were staged in intense series of storms threat- in three federal major disaster Abilene, Fort Worth, Terrell, ened Texas continuously from declarations and a federal Waco, Corsicana and Dallas. the end of May through June emergency declaration.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 49 In mid-September, Hurricane Humberto made history as it ramped up from a tropical depression to a Category One hurricane in only 12 hours. Humberto struck Texas near High Island and Sea Rim State Park between midnight and 2 a.m. on Sept. 13. The National Hurricane Center said no storm ever reached this intensity at a faster rate this close to landfall. A state disaster proclamation was issued for Galveston, Jefferson and Orange Counties. Texas also continues to support other states through mutual assistance agreements. In early May, the Lone Star State Incident Management An example of hazard mitigation: This lot at the former 124 Gregory St. in Team deployed to Georgia to Conroe is now part of a Frisbee golf course, adjacent to an existing city park, assume command of fighting a taking a home out of the floodplain. 70,000-acre wildfire. The team stayed for two weeks and then programs for local governments passed command of the inci- Disaster Recovery and state agencies authorized dent response to a team from Disaster Recovery personnel for new and previous disasters. North Carolina. implement programs to assist It also administered many pre- individuals and families whose disaster mitigation grant pro- Border Security Operations homes, businesses and personal grams designed to reduce the The Border Security Opera- property have been damaged or impact of future disasters. The tions Center (BSOC) plans, destroyed in restoring their EMD Mitigation staff also coordinates, monitors and lives and property. provides training and technical evaluates border security opera- EMD Recovery personnel assistance on mitigation pro- tions. Representatives of state, also work closely with local grams to local officials. local and federal agencies and governments, state agencies, The Mitigation Section contractors staff the facility. The school districts, public hospitals administered more than a BSOC oversaw several joint and other eligible public entities dozen pre-disaster and post- operations throughout the year to develop projects to repair or disaster mitigation programs in various parts of the Texas reconstruct facilities that have that were underway during border area. been damaged or destroyed in 2007. The Mitigation Section In September, the Opera- disasters and to replace equip- also assumed responsibility for tions Section and the BSOC ment rendered unusable by administering the federal began coordinating a new series disasters. Most recovery pro- Repetitive Flood Claims pro- of joint state-local border secu- grams are supported by federal gram in Texas, which buys rity operations under the name disaster grants that require a homes that have been repeat- “Border Star.” The operation state or local cost share. edly damaged during floods. ran through the fall and focused on areas closest to the border Hazard Mitigation and the southernmost portion The EMD Mitigation Sec- of the Texas Coast. These opera- tion administered several post- tions continued into 2008. disaster federal mitigation grant

50 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report Texas prepares for hurricanes On Aug. 14, Tropical Storm Erin began threatening the Texas Coast. To prepare for anticipated flooding impacts, the State of Texas took deliber- ate preparedness actions in order to provide an immediate and effective response. The EMD deployed search-and- rescue resources to Central and South Texas. The TMF activated three Blackhawk helicopters, two in San Antonio and one in Aus- tin. Each helicopter had hoist capability to support water rescue operations. TMF also deployed 30 high- profile vehicles (HPVs) to support rescue operations. Twenty HPVs were staged in Federal assistance was approved on Aug. 18. Weslaco and 10 were staged in San Antonio. The emergency declaration, FEMA-3277- The Texas Extension Service (TEEX) de- EM, authorized FEMA to provide emergency ployed elements of Texas Task Force 1, includ- protective measures (Category B) including ing six swift water rescue teams to stage in San direct federal assistance. The Governor directed Antonio and six helicopter rescue personnel to the full activation of the state’s response capa- stage with the TMF helicopters in Austin and bility to include up to 10,000 TMF personnel San Antonio. TEEX also provided search-and- with equipment, Texas Task Force 1 and Texas rescue liaisons to the SOC and the District Task Force 2 for search and rescue, Task Force Disaster Committees (DDCs) in San Antonio Lone Star, 250 Texas Parks and Wildlife De- and McAllen. Erin made landfall near Corpus partment game wardens with boats for rescue, Christi on Aug. 16. and four Regional Incident Management Later on Aug. 16, the state refocused pre- Teams. The state Shelter Hub system was also paredness efforts to respond to a possible activated. impact from Tropical Storm Dean. Dean Priorities were: quickly strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane • Implementation of hurricane evacuation as it crossed the Caribbean on a path that plans threatened the lower Texas coast. • Deployment of search and rescue forces The SOC operated at Level 1 (Emergency • Activation of shelter hub system Conditions); the full Texas Emergency Manage- • Preparation for re-entry operations ment Council, consisting of 32 state agencies On Aug. 21, the threat to Texas diminished and two volunteer groups, was activated. Six as the projected track of Dean took the storm federal agencies and 38 private sector organiza- into Mexico, well south of Texas. The SOC tions also deployed staff to the SOC for round- conducted the last conference call and began the-clock operations that began August 18. focusing on the demobilization of state re- The Governor issued a Disaster Proclama- sources, the safety of demobilizing first re- tion, effective Aug. 17 and requested federal sponders and accountability and storage of assistance from the President. The request for state assets.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 51 Director’s Staff

Accounting and Budget national Airport. The DPS fleet investigations. DPS pilots often Control has nine helicopters, seven carry tactical flight officers Accounting and Budget single-engine airplanes and one (TFOs) with them on missions. Control prepares and supervises twin-engine turboprop airplane TFOs assist the flying pilot by the Department’s budget. that support both state and operating the police radio, the Accounting’s duties include local law enforcement opera- infrared systems and spotlights. administering employee insur- tions. Each helicopter is They perform other duties such ance programs, processing the equipped with an infrared unit as spotting items or people on payroll and maintaining all and a 30-million-candlepower the ground. They also assist in financial records and capital searchlight for night operations. safely loading and unloading property inventory. The Aircraft Section partici- passengers. Pilots flying alone In addition, this area pates in a variety of investiga- cannot safely perform those handles purchasing of supplies, tions, including providing duties and fly the aircraft at the services, equipment and con- support for criminal interdic- same time. struction. Other responsibilities tions, performing rescue mis- In 2007, the Aircraft include the processing of re- sions and assisting local law Section’s pilots flew 2,802 ceipts and disbursing funds; enforcement agencies with theft missions for 6,237 hours. Their administering the Historically In January, the Garland helicopter Underutilized Business assisted the Highway Patrol with program and accounting a manhunt near Van. An intoxi- for federal grants, travel cated, handcuffed suspect escaped from the trooper’s vehicle and fled reimbursement and on foot. The helicopter joined revenue processing. ground officers and a canine unit The section, led by as the search for the suspect Chief Oscar Ybarra, has continued. The helicopter’s FLIR located the suspect as he at- 135 full-time employees. tempted to burrow under a fallen tree about 1/8 mile from the traffic Aircraft stop. Officers were directed to the The DPS Aircraft suspect, and he was arrested for Section is based at felony DWI, felony escape, making a terroristic threat and Austin Bergstrom Inter- outstanding warrants.

52 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report support of criminal investiga- but she was unable to commu- copter assisted the DPS Motor tions resulted in 566 felony nicate about the whereabouts of Vehicle Theft Service, the North arrests. the other child. About 24 hours Texas Auto Theft Prevention Some notable missions in later, the 8-year-old was located Task Force and the Dallas Police 2007 include: safely. Department in an operation In January, Lt. John Brannon In May, Sgt. Gordon Wade that recovered three stolen and a Garland PD technical in Midland assisted the Shef- truck tractors, four stolen semi- flight officer crewed the Dallas field Police Department and the trailers and a partial load of helicopter as they assisted Pecos County Sheriff’s Office stolen tires. Total value of the Dallas, Mesquite, and Irving with a search for an 11-year-old stolen items was estimated at police departments with a boy who had been missing $352,000. Five suspects were vehicle pursuit of a narcotics since the previous day. The arrested on felony theft charges. trafficker. Dallas PD had con- aircraft crew located the boy Also in August, the San ducted surveillance on the and directed ground crews to Antonio helicopter flew to suspect and attempted to arrest him. He was in good condition. Helotes, where the crew assisted him for a narcotics warrant Also in May, the Garland Texas Task Force 1 with rescu- when the suspect fled. The helicopter assisted the Texas ing a flood victim from a low helicopter joined the pursuit, Department of Criminal Justice water crossing after he at- with FLIR and search light to (TDCJ) in a search for two men tempted to cross during a flood. monitor the vehicle and sus- who had escaped from a com- (Please see page 8 for another pect, as the vehicle traveled mercial prison near Mineral rescue by the Aircraft Section.) through Garland on IH-635 and Wells. The TDCJ officers, some continued through Dallas to of whom were on horseback, Employee Relations Office Irving. The suspect’s vehicle was were unable to keep up with The Employee Relations spiked at least twice during the their tracking dogs as they Office (ERO) manages two pursuit before he used his traveled quickly over rough Department programs. cellular telephone to call a terrain. The helicopter was able The Conflict Management police communications opera- to follow the dogs as they ran and Dispute Resolution Program tor to advise of his impending up a steep embankment, across provides training, one-on-one surrender. The suspect then a highway and onto a wide conflict resolution coaching, stopped, surrendered and was median. The helicopter located interest-based problem solving, arrested without further inci- the escapees hiding under a workplace facilitations and dent for felony driving while tree. They were apprehended mediation to all employees and license invalid. by TDCJ officers who arrived managers. The program cur- In April, the Austin, Corpus on the scene. rently has 17 active mediators Christi and San Antonio heli- Later in May, Sgt. Ed Burris and 21 coaches and trainers copters participated in a search flew the San Antonio helicopter statewide. for two severely mentally to Hondo, where he rescued The Discrimination and impaired children who had two elderly motorists who were Sexual Harassment Complaint wandered away from their stranded in a low-water cross- Investigations Program reviews home in Bandera County. ing that had not been barri- all complaints and investiga- Various search teams, including caded when waters rose after a tions involving unprofessional the Texas Highway Patrol and storm. conduct, discrimination, sexual deputies from several counties, In June, the Dallas helicop- harassment and related retalia- horse search teams, a dive ter assisted the Garland Police tion. recovery team, Texas Depart- Department in arresting five ment of Criminal Justice blood- felons who had committed a Information Management hounds and more than 125 home invasion robbery and had Service volunteers searched for the committed a burglary at an- The Information Manage- children. One of the children other residence. ment Service (IMS) provides was found within two hours In August, the Dallas heli- information technology services

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 53 to DPS and other law enforce- completeness, investigative addresses issues affecting day- ment agencies on a statewide thoroughness and sufficiency of to-day law enforcement opera- and nationwide basis. The evidence. tions. On a biannual basis, it service provides access to Internal Affairs also provides publishes the Laws Affecting critical systems and data 24 investigative assistance to the DPS, a collection of new laws hours a day, 365 days a year. Office of General Counsel, the passed during the most recent The section has 233 full-time Employee Relations Office and legislative session, and contracts employees. the office of Health and Safety. with private publishers to The IMS organization provide Department personnel significantly contributes to the Legislative Liaison with the Texas Criminal and day-to-day success of the The Legislative Liaison Traffic Law Manual, a bound agency by providing protection Office serves as an ombudsman compilation of current law and management of technology between the Department and enforcement statutes. assets, monitoring and manag- Texas public officials. During FY 2007, OGC ing networks and systems, Michael Kelley and Janie oversaw 73 active lawsuits; creating customized program- Smith coordinate the processed 2,830 open records ming for business applications Department’s efforts to receive requests; reviewed 303 con- and providing technology the budgetary and statutory tracts and grants; assisted in consultation to internal agency authority needed to accomplish handling 83 subpoenas; pro- divisions and external criminal its mission by maintaining cessed 104 claims against the justice entities. Additionally, positive relations with state and agency; reviewed 59 firearms IMS supports the Texas Law federal officials. discharges; reviewed 242 per- Enforcement Telecommunica- The Legislative Liaison sonnel matters and processed tions System (TLETS) by con- Office serves as the DPS point 225 contested cases. ducting technical security of contact for state public reviews, providing specialized officials. It works with Depart- Public Information Office TLETS training and monitoring ment officials to monitor legisla- The Public Information and issue resolution of satellite tive meetings and provide Texas Office (PIO) represents the DPS and terrestrial network inter- lawmakers with input regard- in the news media. Staff mem- ruptions. TLETS customers ing current and proposed DPS- bers serve as media liaisons and depend on the agency to pro- related state policies. provide internal communica- vide critical information to In 2007, the Legislative tion venues, such as the officers on the streets so they Liaison Office responded to Department’s Chaparral news- can perform their jobs in an 1,736 Texas public official letter, for agency employees. efficient manner. inquiries and produced 652 Public information officers also identification cards for Texas provide media relations and Internal Affairs state officials and their staffs. effective communication train- Internal Affairs conducts ing to DPS employees and investigations of personnel Office of General Counsel other law enforcement profes- complaints and administrative The Office of General Coun- sionals. In addition, the office inquiries, which are a type of sel (OGC) advises the Director publishes the DPS Annual complaint investigation, as and management in legal areas Report. assigned by the Director, Assis- affecting the Department. Areas During 2007, PIO coordi- tant Director or Public Safety of legal practice include em- nated the agency’s media re- Commission. All employee ployment and personnel, sponse on a wide variety of firearm discharges resulting in criminal law, traffic law, litiga- topics, such as a trooper’s death, injury or death are investigated tion, tort claims, administrative sex offender issues and new by Internal Affairs. All investiga- law, property and contracts. laws. In coordination with tions and inquiries not con- On a monthly basis, OGC regional troopers, PIO also ducted by Internal Affairs are publishes the DPS Legal Bulle- spearheaded media coverage given a detailed review for tin, an electronic newsletter that about driving safety, especially

54 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report during the holidays. resulted in a tip that helped came forward to say that he The office fielded thousands identify a woman found dead in thought the victim looked like of calls and e-mails from the Live Oak County. The case his missing son. DNA tests news media and public in 2007: turned on a distinctive butterfly confirmed that the victim was • Total media calls: 6,534 tattoo on the badly decomposed his son, a 17-year-old. This • Monthly media call aver- woman’s leg. After all other homicide investigation contin- age: 544 leads were exhausted, the ues. (See Page 25) • Total public contacts and forensic artist replicated the The PIO staff also joined the e-mails: 28,299 tattoo, and it was included in multi-agency public education • Monthly public contact the press release. An acquain- effort to highlight the need for and e-mail average: 2,358 tance of the victim saw the the $1 billion Proposition 4 In addition, PIO fielded media coverage and called local bond issue, which voters ap- numerous calls relating to the authorities, which led to the proved in November. As a Texas Rangers’ investigation of a identification of the 33-year-old result, DPS will receive $200 game warden’s homicide in San Antonio woman. (See Pages million for new building con- Wharton County (See Page 20), 24-25) struction, expanded and reno- and generated media coverage In a separate Lubbock vated crime labs and an Emer- highlighting the Highway Patrol County and Texas Rangers gency Vehicle Operations Division’s record drug seizures. homicide investigation, a PIO Course in Williamson County. (See Pages 6-7) press release, which included a The Public Information Working with a Texas forensic drawing of the victim, Office also includes an occupant Ranger and the Rangers’ foren- was widely covered by the news safety coordinator who oversees sic artist, a PIO press release media. The father of the victim traffic safety programs concern- ing airbags, car seats and safety belts. During 2007, the occu- pant safety programs coordina- tor taught three national certifi- cation courses and eight con- tinuing education courses. She also worked with several hospi- tals and retail stores to present 17 child passenger safety work- shops across the state.

A 2007 Public Information Office press release highlighted record-shattering drug seizures by the Texas Highway Patrol in 2006. The PIO also posted photos on the DPS Web site, generating additional media coverage.

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 55 2007 Awards

Medal of Valor The Medal of Valor is the highest award presented by the Department. It may be issued to any member of the Department who distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life. The deed performed must have been by voluntary act and of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to distinguish clearly the individual for gallantry and intrepidity above his comrades, and must have involved risk of life, known to the member before performing the act. Leopoldo Sanchez, Texas Highway Patrol

Memorial Cross The Memorial Cross shall be awarded to the immediate family of any member of the Department who loses his life in performance of duty or in the act of performing a law enforcement capacity while off duty under honorable circumstances. Todd Dylan Holmes, Texas Highway Patrol

Purple Heart The Purple Heart Award was given for the first time in 2005. The award may be given to commis- sioned officers of the Department who are seriously injured in the line of duty. The guiding philoso- phy in issuing this award is to recognize the individual’s sacrifice incurred while in the immediate and direct performance of a law enforcement action. Alfredo Barrera, Criminal Law Enforcement Steven M. Stone, Texas Highway Patrol

Medal of Merit The Medal of Merit is awarded to any member of the Department who has rendered a service beyond the normal course of duty, performed an act that clearly exceeds what is normally required or expected, or makes an important contribution to achievement of the goals of the Department or the law enforcement profession. It may be issued for acts or accomplishments of a nonrecurring nature. Burton Christian, Administration

Director’s Citation The Director’s Citation is given to any member of the Department who has rendered a service beyond the normal course of duty, because of his or her timely observation, diligence, perseverance and judgment in the performance of a difficult task that has resulted in the protection of life or property; the prevention of a major crime; the apprehension of a dangerous criminal; or for perform- ing an act that clearly exceeds what is normally required or expected. Todd Adkins, Texas Highway Patrol Alfredo Barrera, Criminal Law Enforcement Jason Brewer, Driver License Brian Burzynski, Texas Rangers Elias Escalon, Texas Highway Patrol Christian W. Fogal, Texas Highway Patrol Sammy Newell Lattner, Texas Highway Patrol Royal Andrew McMullen, Texas Highway Patrol Brett Wheelis, Texas Highway Patrol Neshell Williams, Driver License

56 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 2007 Memorial Service

Members of the DPS Honor Guard assist Mrs. Stephanie Holmes and her son, Tyler, in laying a wreath at the DPS Memorial Monument during the 2007 Memorial Service. Mrs. Holmes is the widow of Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes, who died in a traffic crash in March 2007.

The DPS Memorial Monument is dedicated to DPS officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Each year, a family mem- ber of a DPS officer killed in the line of duty is invited to lay the memorial wreath at the monu- ment.

(Left to right): Dakota Alexander, Tyler Holmes and Breanna Alexander place flowers near the name of Tyler’s father on the Memorial Monument.

Photos by Kent Kinkade

Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report 57 In Memory

Tr. Todd Dylan Holmes died March 14, 2007, in a two-vehicle crash just north of Marshall, when his patrol unit was struck broadside by an 18-wheeler as he attempted to cross the high- way to pursue a vehicle. Tr. Holmes had been with the DPS since 2005. He was stationed in Gilmer. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and four children, one of whom was born after Tr. Holmes passed away.

58 Texas Department of Public Safety Annual Report