Jasper County Sheriff's Report

7-8-2025

Our hearts and prayers are with the victims, families and all first responders in Kerr County and surrounding areas as they continue to search and rescue for the victims of the devastating flooding Event. Major Steve Crowell and I, along with members of the Jefferson County DA’s office, arrived in Kerr County Monday morning and are assisting in any way we possibly can. We will continue to pray for many days to come and support their families in this tragedy.

On July 1-3, several supervisors for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office completed 20 hours of mandated training. The course was centered around Supervision and Leadership. One of our main topics of discussion was holding ourselves and our employees accountable. A big shoutout to Sergeant Doug Conn. Sergeant Conn is one of the premier instructors in Texas Law Enforcement and we are blessed to have him at the Jasper County Sheriff's Office as our training coordinator.

Thanks to the incredible generosity and an outpouring of support from across the region, we are proud to announce that we have raised nearly $104,000 for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement boat! Donations came in from every corner of Southeast Texas from individuals, families and businesses alike. Big checks, small checks, hand delivered envelopes, phone calls, messages, and it all happened within 36 hours. The support was constant and humbling. THANK YOU!

On July 2, at approximately 12:21am Deputy Gray responded to 1206 FM 252 in Jasper for an assault in progress between a male and female. The suspect, Westen Edward Bertrand, 21, confessed he hit his girlfriend in the arm, pushed her in the wall, threw her down and began kicking her because she dropped his PlayStation controller while he was playing a video game. The Deputy observed redness on the victim’s arm and thigh where he kicked her. Bertrand was arrested and charged with Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family/Household Member (MA). He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

On June 18, JCSO was contacted by JNEC in reference to two of their electric meters being tampered with and electricity being stolen. Upon further investigation, it was found that Christopher Stimits, 39, of Buna, had removed the JNEC meter from his property and installed another meter to his property without being charged. It was also found that he completed this same operation at a former girlfriend’s residence. A total of $1,497.36 was stolen from JNEC. A warrant was issued for Stimits and he was arrested on July 1, 2025, and charged with Theft of Service >= $750 <$2,500, Class A Misdemeanor.

On July 3, I was contacted by a resident about a bunch of dumped trash on County Road 089. We sent a Deputy and a trustee to that location to pick up trash and gather evidence. As with most trash dumpers, they generally are too lazy to go through their trash and get rid of (evidence). It did not take our deputy long to find a document with information on it. The rest is history. We then obtained 2 arrest warrants and charged them with Illegal Dumping (MB). The 2 were identified as Kelvin Lard, 41, of Jasper, and Thomas Fowler, 57, of Jasper. Lard was also found in possession of methamphetamines during the arrest. He was charged with Felony Possession as well. They were both placed in Jasper County Jail.

The entire Jasper County Jail population and staff were blessed July 4th by members of the Touch and the Power of God Church of Jasper with a meal of links and hot dogs. The food was absolutely delicious and their generosity is greatly appreciated by all of us. Several female members arrived early and hosted Bingo with our female inmates before lunch. Although Bingo is a game, it helps our inmates concentrate and think quicker and it builds their sense of connections and confidence. A big shout out to Rev. Charles Adams, Rev. Ray Lewis, Rev. Derrick Seastrunk and Jasper City Counsel woman Mamie Horn for making this day special.

On July 6, at approximately 4: 27am, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office was notified by Angelina County Sheriff’s Office that a potential aggravated kidnapping had occurred in the Plum Ridge Community earlier this morning. Jasper County deputies received information that the suspect and the female victim were at the Bass Buster Inn in Brookeland. Deputies were able to ascertain the trailer number where the suspect and victim were believed to be at. JCSO Deputies arrived at the location and made entry into the trailer. The suspect, Clayton Sexton, 30, of Silsbee, was located inside the trailer and placed under arrest. The victim was located in the bedroom of the trailer and was found to be uninjured. Angelina County Deputies, who were also on the scene, transported Sexton back to Angelina County. Angelina County authorities charged him with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

All persons listed in this report are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Again, our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and families of this tragedy in the Hill Country. The men and women of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office stand ready to help in any way we can. Major Crowell and I will be back in Jasper County late tonight.

Respectfully,

Chuck Havard

Jasper County Sheriff