Monday, September 30, 2013


                                                                THE COP SHOP


Suspect, victim arrested after he tries to throw her out of car

Police responded to reports of a man hitting a woman and trying to throw her out of a car in the 2300 block of South Loop 288 about 1:20 p.m. Sunday. They spotted the moving car on I35 near the University Drive exit and made a traffic stop.

They found the woman had injuries and took the 33-year-old man to jail on charges of family violence assault. But a computer check showed the 24-year-old woman had a outstanding warrant from Carrollton police for alcohol violations, so she was also taken to jail as well.

Other reports


3600 block of Marianne Street - A woman called for help about 10 p.m. Sunday. Arriving officers found the 42-year-old man had hit the 39-year-old woman in the face with a metal spatula, causing a cut to her eye. The man also had punched her in the jaw and kept her from leaving the house, according to the report. They charged him with family violence assault.

1700 block of McKinney Street - Officers arrived at Mack Park about 5:45 p.m. Sunday in response to a report that a man was choking a woman. They found the couple, and she said she had nearly fainted because of her impeded breath. Two witnesses backed up the 45-year-old woman's story of the attack. The 60-year-old man was charged with family violence assault/impeding breath. One of the witnesses had an outstanding warrant, and he also went to jail.


Sunday, September 29, 2013


                               THE COP SHOP

Driver missing after accident

Denton police, a University of North Texas search dog and Denton County deputies looked for the missing driver of a silver pickup truck early Saturday after he walked away from an accident with a head injury.
A caller reported about 2:55 a.m. that the truck left the roadway at the corner of Shady Shores Road and Lakeview and struck a tree. The caller said he found the man standing outside the truck with bleeding injuries to his head. He told the man he had called 911 and the man began walking away from the scene.
Denton police asked for help from a UNT search dog and handler but they found no sign of the driver. They asked county deputies to go to the man's house and see if he was there, but the deputies were unsuccessful in locating the man. An investigation is continuing.

Other reports

2200 block of Yorkshire - A 48-year-old disabled man told police Saturday morning that the person he lives with has been assaulting him for a long time. The man said the latest assault - from the person who was not identified as male or female - was carried out with a cane. He said he also has been struck in the back of the head with a frying pan and punched in the nose. Detectives are investigating.

Saturday, September 28, 2013



                                   THE COP SHOP

Wrong way driver arrested for car theft

An officer noticed a car driving the wrong way down Elm Street, which is a one-way street, about 4:40 a.m. Friday. The officer made a computer check and saw that the car had been reported stolen to Lewisville police.
The officer made a traffic stop on Mulberry Street at Carroll Boulevard. He arrested the 26-year-old female driver for theft over $1,500. A search of the car turned up four pipes used to smoke methamphetamines between the passenger seat and the center console. The officer arrested the 46-year-old male passenger for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Other reports

3500 block of East McKinney Street - A woman called police about 9:30 a.m. Friday to report that she was walking down the stairs from her apartment and a man standing below pulled down his pants and exposed himself to her. She said this is the second time the man has done this. She reported that the apartment complex maintenance man was chasing the suspect. The report did not reveal whether the maintenance man actually caught the suspect, but no arrests were made.

200 block of Bluebird Circle - A 27-year-old woman reported Friday that her husband had been assaulting her physically and sexually for the past year. One of the assaults put her in the hospital, she said. She now has left him and wants to press charges for the past crimes.

400 block of Foxwood Circle - A woman reported that her former boyfriend came to her home and stole her car. She told police a location where she believed her car might be found. Officers went to the location and the car was there. They retrieved some personal items belonging to the victim and returned them to her. They called a wrecker and had the car towed to an impound site. They told the woman where her car could be retrieved.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013



                      THE COP SHOP

Elementary schooler attacks parents in parking lot

An elementary school official called police about 8:30 a.m. Monday to report that a student was attacking his parents in the school parking lot. The boy's mother asked the principal to call because she wanted to press charges, according to the report.

Other reports

200 block of Inman Street - A 19-year-old woman called for help about 2 p.m. Sunday, saying she was being assaulted by her former boyfriend in her apartment. The report did not give specifics, but the 19-year-old man was charged with unlawful restraint, assault that impeded breathing and interfering with an emergency call.

1100 block of Chapel Drive - A 79-year-old woman reported about 10:30 a.m. Sunday that someone had used information from her Facebook account to try to perpetrate a scam on some of her friends.


Monday, September 23, 2013



Horn blasts Burch for being over budget


Denton County Judge Mary Horn has fired another missile at Constable Precinct 4 Tim Burch - this time because he is over budget in nearly every area of his area of responsibility, and she has threatened to haul him in front of commissioners court for a public accounting if he doesn't keep his operating funds under control.
Messages between public officials are subject to open records. The following is a reprint of the message she sent to him.



September 18, 2013

 

Timothy Burch,

Constable Precinct #4

217 N. Oak Street

Roanoke, TX  76262-6615

 

Dear Constable Burch,

 

Please review the attached information regarding budgeted amounts and expenditures for your office to date for Fiscal Year 2013.  Each Constable Office receives a budget for a specific amount for these line items at the beginning of the fiscal year, with the expectation that if the amount expended over the course of the year exceeds the budgeted amount for any line item, your office will request fund transfers to cover the shortfall from within your own budget. 

 

As of September 18, 2013, you exceeded the budgeted amounts for line items 4230 Postage, 5010 Training and Education, 6270 Remote Access, 6610 Vehicle Repairs, and 6620 Tires and Tubes by $84.40, $87.12, $99.41, $1027.29, and $1847.70 respectively; and, you had no funds remaining in appropriate line items to transfer within your budget to cover your shortfall.  In addition, at $33,000 your office is budgeted the most funds for line item 4410 Gasoline among all six of the Constables offices and has come close to exceeding that amount as well as of this date.  In fact, your office has spent more in gasoline than any other Constable Office in FY2013 and over $8500 more than the average of all constable offices together.

 

This must stop.

 

The Commissioners Court approves the budget for all county offices, both elected and non-elected.  Through a lengthy budget process, we provide an adequate budget for all constables to perform their statutorily mandated duties, which are to “execute and return as provided by law each process, warrant, and precept that is directed to the constable and is delivered by a lawful officer.”  We are not obligated, however, to pay for any duties beyond those statutorily mandated, particularly if those other duties do not conform to a legally authorized county purpose.

 

The attached statistical data summarized by the Budget Office for all six Constables Offices, listing Civil Cases, Warrants Received, Warrants Cleared, Recalls, Bailiff Hours, and Traffic Citations per deputy does not indicate that your officers perform at a higher rate of service than officers across the county.  In fact, the actual data for FY2012 indicates that your office of 5 deputies completed service for warrants received, warrants cleared, and traffic citations issued per deputy at a significantly lower rate than any other constable’s office, while also performing below the average case load per deputy among all six constable offices for civil cases and recalls.  The statistical data available for actual numbers for FY2013 through today’s date corresponds to this same analysis.

 

Perhaps your office will be able to stay within the FY 2014 budget, which begins on October 1, 2013, if you strictly concentrate on performing the mandated duties within your own precinct.

 

Commissioners Court has an obligation to the county taxpayers to be fiscally responsible.  My office will continue to monitor the budgets and statistical data for all Denton County Constables Offices as we wind down FY2013 and commence FY2014.  If this same disturbing trend as noted above continues in the new fiscal year, you will be asked to appear before Commissioners Court for a thorough public discussion of the problem.

 

Sincerely,

 

                                                           

 

 

Mary Horn

Denton County Judge

 

Attachments

 


Thursday, September 19, 2013



                                              THE COP SHOP

Denton police arrested a woman early Wednesday on several drug charges after catching her running away from cars parked on the street.
A caller phoned 911 about 3:30 a.m. to report seeing a man and woman trying the doors on cars in the 1800 block of Westminster. They ran toward a nearby motel when they saw the caller, according to the report.
Officers found a woman on Mesa Street matching the description and she appeared to be intoxicated on something other than alcohol. They found illegal drugs and K2 synthetic drugs in her clothing.
The arrested the woman on charges of public intoxication other than alcohol, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of a deadly drug. She also is being held on an outstanding warrant.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013




                               THE COP SHOP

Couple fight over custody of pets

A woman called Denton police just after 11 p.m. Tuesday from the 600 block of Collins Street to report that her former boyfriend had assaulted her.
The victim said she had allowed him to come into the house while she was away to collect his belongings. But he was still in the house when she returned. He wanted to take their pets with him and she refused. During a heated argument over the pets, the man began beating her. Then he left. No word on whether he took the pets.

Other reports

5800 block of Eagle Mountain Drive - A woman reported Tuesday that for some time a stranger has been calling her from different telephone numbers harassing her and talking about sex. She said she told the man she doesn't know him and that he has a wrong number. The man told her he would stop calling if she game him money.

Monday, September 16, 2013


Constable Burch did not produce time sheet for off-duty work the night he wrecked the county car


A few weeks ago I printed information from an accident report made in Tarrant County on a night when Precinct 4 Constable Tim Burch was involved in an accident near Grapevine while working an off-duty job there in a county car. The car was destroyed and so far the insurance has not paid off on it.

Burch went on a rant against me and a couple of other people on a Facebook post, calling this blog "Moments of Stupidity," and my work "creative journalism."

He suggested that I should have done some research. So I did.

I made open records requests for a number of public documents out of Burch's office. Here's what I have learned so far:

I asked for time sheets for all his off-duty work since January 1. I received copies from county offices of time sheets he turned in. They begin with one 9.5 hour stint on February 16. He shows no further off-duty work until June 1. The accident took place February 21. Was he working that night or not? I want to emphasize that the accident was not his fault. The report states that he was blocking an intersection for a construction crew, so it seems that he was working the off-duty job. So why did he not turn in a time sheet for it?

The time sheets are on report forms from Hall Investigations in Arlington. Owner is Brenda Hall. Coincidentally, records show Brenda Hall also is a county employee, working in Tim Burch's office. In accordance with the open records request for off-duty time sheets of all Precinct 4 employees, Burch turned in time sheets for himself and Deputy Barry Minoff. 

Under "job" the time sheets show TXDOT Hiway 75, McKinney. It's possible that is the physical address of the TXDOT office there. I asked for a work contract between Precinct 4 and TXDOT and didn't receive one. I looked at the Hall Investigations site and it appears that Hall has the contract and the officers work using it.

Burch's time sheets show that he worked 130.5 hours from February 16 to August 15. Most of those hours were during the night. Must have been hard to get up and go to his county job after an overnighter like that.

I also made an open records request for gasoline receipts that showed Burch and Minoff paid for their own gas to work these jobs. Five of Burch's slips, scattered throughout the 8 months time I asked for, were not legible. The others showed varying amounts of gas purchased, each with hand-written notes that he personally paid for gas, began March 18 and ended August 25. So apparently he did not pay for gas the night in February when the car was wrecked.

But the gas receipts, minus the five I couldn't read, totaled $2,909,11.

Most of the gas was purchased either from a convenience store in Roanoke or Grapevine. Some of his usage appears to have been high. On May 4 he bought $60.01 worth of gas in Roanake. The next day he bought $40.01 of gas in Grapevine. On May16, he bought $40 worth of gas in Lake Dallas. And on May 18 he bought $29 gas in Grapevine and $45 gas in Roanoke. Bear in mind the county buys the gasoline for on-duty work.

The really interesting part about that is that Burch turned in absolutely no time sheets for off-duty work in May.

I am not sure what all this means. But it is puzzling.

I have not finished going through the documents I was furnished in reply to my open records requests. I will keep you posted. And I do hope that Mr. Burch is satisfied that I am not using creative journalism but am doing research as he said I should.



Sunday, September 15, 2013



                              COMING SOON

My new book, Too Old To Die Young, Confessions of a Baby Boomer, will be available for download from Amazon.com one day this week.

Anyone who was born shortly after their fathers returned from World War II will understand this book and will laugh at the adventures of a Baby Boomer in a youth-obsessed world.

The chapters range from rearing children to wrinkles to finding yourself alone in a strange world and learning to cope with elder dating, all written with tongue in cheek.

The book is funny and insightful and I hope you will read it. It will cost $5.95 and I will let you know when it is available.

Donna

Friday, September 13, 2013



                                THE COP SHOP


Police find crack lab

Officers responding to a domestic disturbance Thursday could not determine whether the man or the woman was the aggressor. While they were talking to the pair they noticed a number of clues that crack cocaine was being cooked in the apartment. The woman decided to leave for the night. The officers asked the man for permission to search the apartment and he agreed. They found crack, the ingredients to cook it and other paraphernalia. They seized the evidence but made no arrest at that time. An investigation is ongoing.



Thursday, September 12, 2013

             

                                                          THE COP SHOP


Woman promised $2.5 million, loses $3,200

A 61-year-old woman reported to police Wednesday that she believes she was the victim of a scam. She said she recently received a telephone call from someone who congratulated her on winning $2.5 million and a new car. In order to retrieve her prize she needed to buy $3,200 worth of prepaid cards and then call back with the numbers on the cards. The woman did as she was instructed. But she has not heard back from the caller and has not received her money or her card, according to the report.

Other reports

600 block of Boardwalk - Someone slipped in a woman's back door while she was sitting out front Wednesday evening and stole from her. The 79-year-old woman said she was sitting in her carport about 7:40 p.m. and decided to go back inside her home. When she was back inside she realized that her back door had been unlocked and she was missing a debit card, her drivers license and some cash.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013



                                  THE COP SHOP


Information sparse on crime reports

This was one of those days when reporting officers did not write enough information on the reports made available to the press to actually figure out what happened. I hate to complain about the hard-working officers who do this tough job, but I don't want you to think that I am just being lazy.

Here is what I was able to tell from the reports:

An officer responded to a hospital emergency room about 9 p.m. Tuesday and took a report about a 2-year-old boy who was being treated for some sort of injuries, allegedly inflicted by a babysitter.

An officer responded about 9 p.m. Tuesday to the 300 block of Ruth Street where a woman was pushed from a moving car. She was taken to a hospital emergency room.

An officer responded to a bar in the 1700 block of Teasley Lane about 4 p.m. Tuesday where a woman made a report. The report alleged, in different places, attempted sexual assault and aggravated assault.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013



                            THE COP SHOP

Lug nuts removed from car

A 35-year-old woman reported to police about 4 a.m. Monday that someone apparently removed the lug nuts from all the wheels of her car. She said she began driving the car and one of the wheels rolled completely away, disabling the car. She discovered that all the lug nuts were missing. She found them on the pavement near where her car had been parked in the 700 block of Frame Street.

Other reports

2400 block of West University Drive - Police are investigating a report Monday morning that someone in Jamaica has been defrauding an 86-year-old woman. The officers learned that the woman had received several telephone calls from Jamaica informing her that she had won a car. She had been instructed to send money to pay various fees. So far, the woman had lost $975 in the scam.





Monday, September 9, 2013


                             THE COP SHOP


Suspect confronts cop, complies at sight of Taser

An officer who was sent to a family violence call in the 700 block of Fort Worth Drive Sunday night was greeted by a number of upset people who shouted at him, "He's trying to kill her!" The witnesses directed the officer to the third floor of an apartment building where he saw a man who had two women cornered. The suspect balled his fists, screamed obscenities and challenged the officer to fight. The officer pointed his Taser at the man and told him to turn around, put his hands behind his back and drop to his knees. The suspect did as he was told. After an investigation, the suspect was charged with assault causes injury/family violence, assault and burglary.

Other reports

2400 block of Tahoe - A man called police about 1 p.m. Sunday to report that his wife and 6-year-old daughter were being held hostage by the wife's employer. The employer believes the wife stole $30,000 from him, the husband said. He refuses to release the wife until her parents give him the money.

9100 block of Teasley Lane - Police responded to a call for help about 10:30 p.m. Friday and found a bruised and upset 68-year-old woman. The woman said that she and her husband were in a car with him at the wheel. He was highly intoxicated and they were arguing. He stopped the car in the street and pulled her out of the car, she said. Then he drove away leaving her lying in the street. She wants to press charges.

Friday, September 6, 2013



County Judge Mary Horn sent a letter to Constable Precinct 4 Tim Burch on September 4 regarding his use of county vehicles to perform off duty jobs in other counties.

This letter is subject to open records laws and I made an open records request. The following is the letter in its entirety:

Dear Constable Burch:

Article III, 52(e) of the Texas Constitution prohibits a county from granting things of value for private use. Officers who perform off-duty work receive a private benefit. Thus, when a county patrol vehicle is used in the performance of off-duty work, it is put to a private use. Such private use is permissible so long as the predominant purpose of the work is to accomplish an authorized public purpose.

Reports have been received that you have been using your county patrol vehicle to perform off-duty work outside of Denton County. This letter is to inform you that I consider this to be a misuse of Denton County property.

The Attorney General has specifically held that county patrol vehicles may be used for off-duty work only if the predominant purpose is to conserve the peace within the county, the elected official retains control over the vehicles in a manner that ensures the peace will be conserved, and the county actually receives this public benefit. Tex. Atty. Gen. Op. No. GA-0480 (2006).

Off-duty work performed outside of Denton County does not conserve the peace within Denton County or serve any other legally authorized county purpose. Therefore, I consider your use of a county patrol vehicle for this purpose to be a misuse of county property for your own private benefit. I request that you discontinue this practice immediately, and inform your deputies that you lack the authority to grant them the use of their county vehicles while working off-duty in other counties.

In using county property for your sole private benefit, you place the taxpayers of Denton County at risk for personal loss. Please understand that any officer who engages in this practice could be held personally responsible.

Sincerely

Mary Horn
County Judge

This letter was written after a traffic accident Burch was involved in earlier this year that destroyed a county-owned patrol car. He was in Tarrant County working an off-duty job with TXDOT. So far the insurance company has not paid off on the car or the $9,000 worth of special police add-ons.
Burch told the commissioners court on Tuesday that an individual was donating a fully-police-equipped Tahoe to his department.

Burch has called this blog "Moments of Stupidity" and accused this writer of being a "creative journalist." This stuff is not my creativity at work, folks.

I will report further facts as I find them.

Donna

Thursday, September 5, 2013

                            THE COP SHOP

Man exposes himself to woman and child

Denton police are looking for a man who exposed himself to a 24-year-old woman and her 2-year-old girl Wednesday night in the parking lot of a big-box store in the 1800 block of South Loop 288. The woman was able to give a good description of the suspect and she also remembered the license number of the car he left in. Police are seeking surveillance video from the store to further aid in their investigation.

Other reports

3900 block of East McKinney Street - A female clerk in a convenience store reported about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday that a man came into the store, told her he had a gun and demanded cash and cigarettes. No further information was provided in the report.

3500 block of Hudsonwood - A woman called for help about 3:25 a.m. Wednesday, saying two men were trying to remove a wheel and tire from her car in front of her house. She described the men. Officers chased and caught one man running away and found the second suspect nearby. They were charged with attempted theft. One of the men also was being held on outstanding warrants.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013





                          THE COP SHOP

Woman assaults jailer

A Denton police officer reported Tuesday that he was looking for a woman with outstanding warrants on Saturday and the female he questioned denied being that woman and gave another name and date of birth. He checked on her information and found it to be a lie. He returned Tuesday about 12:45 a.m. and took her into custody. She admitted she had given him false information during his first visit. But once they got to the jail, she became violent. She began banging her head on a wall and hitting a brick wall with her fist. A female jailer tried to restrain her for her own safety and the prisoner attacked the jailer. She hit her in the face with her fist, according to the police report, opening a three-inch cut under the jailer's eye. The 30-year-old woman was charged with assault on a public servant, resisting arrest, giving false information to a police officer and was also being held on two outstanding warrants.

Other reports

1800 block of West University Drive - A man came into a pawn shop about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and reached over the counter, taking about $7,500 worth of rings. Later the man was arrested after trying to sell the rings. No further information was available.

North Loop 288 at Elm Street - A 14-year-old girl jumped from a moving car about 4:15 p.m. and was taken by CareFlight emergency helicopter to a Metroplex hospital for treatment. No further information was available.



Monday, September 2, 2013



                                 THE COP SHOP


Stranger steals rings from elderly man

A 71-year-old man told police Saturday that he allowed a stranger into his house in the 800 block of Mack Drive about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. He only realized on Saturday that while he was distracted the stranger entered his bedroom, went through a closet and took four gold rings. No further information was available about the incident.

Other reports

3000 block of North Elm Street - A man reported Saturday that he was driving when someone in another vehicle threw something out the window that struck his car. He gave chase and the two cars pulled over in a parking lot. The other driver threw an aerosol can at him, hitting him in the head, he said, and then left the scene.

800 block of West University Drive - A woman reported Sunday about 9:30 a.m. that someone broke into her office and took an electronic tablet and the keys to her car. Then the suspect left in the car, according to the report.

900 block of Dixon Street - Officers contacted a woman being treated in a hospital emergency room about 3 p.m. Sunday. She had a concussion and reported that her stepson shoved a door at her, striking her in the head.

Saturday, August 31, 2013




                             THE COP SHOP

Couple dies of gunshot wounds

Denton police have not released the names of a man and woman who died of gunshot wounds about 9 p.m. Friday in a house in the 1800 block of Locksley Lane.

According to information from the police department, the dead are believed to be a married couple and the case is being investigated as a murder/suicide.

No further information was available Saturday morning.

Other reports

4900 block of South Interstate 35E - An employee of a car dealership reported about 5 p.m. Friday that someone cut the fence protecting the back lot of the business to gain entry. Then the suspect cut a catalytic converter from a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup truck and escaped with it. An investigation is continuing.

Friday, August 30, 2013



                                     THE COP SHOP


Paranoid man has carload of drugs

A 19-year-old man called police from a gas station about 8:45 p.m. Thursday asking for help because he was being followed from a casino by four cars, he said. The man would not leave the station in the 700 block of Londonderry because "that's how scared I am." Officers responded and found no sign of anyone following the man. He asked them to search his car to make him feel safer. The officers complied and found a large amount of illegal drugs and needles packaged to distribute. They took the man to jail on a charge of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.

Other reports

800 block of South Interstate 35 East - Officers contacted a 21-year-old man they saw sitting in a car in the back parking lot of a motel about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. They noticed that he had a gun tucked into his waistband and appeared to be trying to swallow something. They took the gun and told him to spit out whatever was in his mouth but he refused. Finally they were able to get a bag of marijuana out of his mouth. He had burglary tools in his car, drug paraphernalia and property the officers believed was stolen. They arrested him on charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon, possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence and use of a criminal instrument.

Thursday, August 29, 2013



                           THE COP SHOP


Woman's family attacks handicapped boyfriend

Denton police sorted out stories told by different people at a residence in the 9100 block of Teasley Lane Wednesday night and arrested one of them on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Officers arrived and found a man sitting on a couch who was obviously physically impaired. He told them he had brain surgery that caused him physical problems with speech and movement. He said that he girlfriend had recently left him but came back that day. Her mother and sister and their boyfriends heard she was there and drove from Dallas to get her, he said. The victim said they Came in and one boyfriend began videoing with his camera. The sister and her boyfriend screamed at spit on the victim, who told them to get out of his house. The boyfriend picked up a large glass ashtray and hit the victim in the head with it. The ashtray and a nearby table broke, according to the report.
After much more screaming and spitting, the victim's neighbor came over to check on his welfare and all the people left.
Police called the boyfriend and he said he was in Corinth and would return to the police department to talk. He denied spitting or hitting the victim with the ashtray. He called a few minutes later to report that he had been in a traffic accident. Officers drove to Corinth to pick him up and found him in the back of a squad car. The others were in a nearby vehicle. The other boyfriend denied filming the fight but would not allow the officer to see his phone. All denied spitting or hitting the victim.
The officers believed that, because the victim had recently had brain surgery and had been hit in the head the ash tray was a deadly weapon. He arrested that man and an investigation is continuing on the culpability of the rest.

Other reports
600 block of Bonnie Brae - A woman reported just after 1 a.m. Wednesday that her boyfriend attacked her and pushed her out of a moving car.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

                            THE COP SHOP


Men with guns threaten victim

A frightened man told Denton police about 1:35 a.m. Tuesday that two men in a vehicle pointed two handguns at him and threatened to kill him. The victim said that someone broke into his car on Monday and stole his property. He was outside early Tuesday when a vehicle drove past his house. The passenger stuck two guns out the window and shouted at him that if "called the cops," they would kill him. He recognized the voice, he said, and knows the suspect's name. He believes the two men burglarized his car as well.

Other reports

5100 East University Drive - A 43-year-old woman reported Tuesday afternoon that a woman who had an affair with the victim's soon-to-be-former husband attacked and beat her.

900 block of Lindsey Street - A man reported that he accused his niece's husband of stealing tools from him. The man then came to his house and the men stood in the driveway talking. The suspect struck the victim several times in the face and head, knocking him to the pavement, and then left. Paramedics took the victim to a hospital emergency room with head and neck injuries.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013



                              THE COP SHOP


Caller threatens to detonate bomb

Police responded about 2 p.m. Monday to a pharmacy in the 100 block of West University Drive after an employee called 911. The employee said that she received a telephone call from a man with a Middle Eastern or Indian accent. The man instructed the woman to load four Green Dot Cards with $500 each and wait for further instructions. He said that he had hidden a bomb in the store the previous night and that if she did not hand over the cards the bomb would be detonated. He said the store was being watched. He also threatened to harm the woman and her family if she did not do as he told her. The store manager said that other stores in the Metroplex had received such calls as well. Denton firefighters responded to the store and searched for a bomb but none was found. The fire marshal is working with police, and an investigation is ongoing.

Other reports

Colorado Boulevard at Mayhill Road - An officer sent to check out a report of a reckless driver found the vehicle about 7:45 p.m. Sunday. The man appeared to be heavily intoxicated, and a breath test showed his alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit, according to the police report. The officer searched the car prior to releasing it for impound and found a bag of cocaine in the cup holder near the driver and another bag of cocaine in the driver's door panel. The man was charged with reckless driving, DWI, and possession of a controlled substance.

1700 Wayne Street - Police took a 16-year-old girl to juvenile detention Sunday evening after a disturbance at her home. The girl's mother told officers that the girl grabbed a knife and held it to the mother's throat.

Friday, August 23, 2013



                                THE COP SHOP


Vandals abound

A woman told police Thursday that while she was out of town someone cut several stems and leaves from her "priceless" agave plant, damaging it. The plant was in her front flower bed and she does not know who might have cut the stems from the plant.


Other reports

1000 block of Fulton Street - A witness called police about 10 p.m. Thursday to report that he saw two males throw a bottle through a window at Denton High School. No one was near the building when officers arrived.
1600 block of Village East - A man reported about 3 a.m. Thursday that his former girlfriend slashed three tires on his vehicle. An investigation is ongoing.

Thursday, August 22, 2013



                          THE COP SHOP

Man believes he was beaten by neighbors

A man's neighbors told paramedics he "fell," he told police Wednesday, but he now believes they beat him up after he confronted them. The victim said that on August 13 he went outside to confront the neighbors about their loud music. The next thing he remembers is waking up in an ambulance. He was treated at a hospital, where medical personnel told him that his injuries were not consistent with having fallen. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Other report

1000 block of Ridgecrest Circle - A man told police Wednesday morning that when he awoke and went outside he saw that someone had taken both his automobiles from his driveway. He doesn't know who took his vehicles, according to the police report.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013



                               THE COP SHOP


Arrested man spits in officer's face

Denton officers responded to help a couple Monday after they called for help with their 26-year-old son. The officers found the family in the 3200 block of Fallmeadow Street. The son was still out of control and the officers were placing him in custody when he spit in one of the officers' face. According to the police report, the man also broke out the back window of a squad car. He was charged with abusive language in a public place, harassment of a public servant, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

Other reports

200 block of South Bonnie Brae Street - According to a police report, officers responded about 11 p.m. Monday to an apartment where three roommates reported having been robbed. They found the three inside the apartment. The men described a man they said robbed them and the officers searched but did not find anyone matching the description. A second report at the apartment involved possession of marijuana but no information about that incident was in the report. No further information was available.

Thursday, August 15, 2013



Information on Burch accident in county car


     I have obtained the accident report pertaining to the traffic accident in Tarrant County that totaled a Denton County Squad car. According to the report, Precinct 4 Constable Tim Burch was himself at the wheel of the 2009 Dodge Charger on February 21, 2013, at 11:30 P.M.
     Burch told investigating Grapevine officers that he was blocking an onramp to U.S. 114 with all his lights activated to keep cars from entering the highway where crews from a highway construction company were working. He apparently had contracted with the construction company to provide security.
     He was parked behind another truck. A woman driving an Infinity SUV rear-ended the constable's car and knocked it into the truck in front. She left the scene. Burch reported no injuries in the accident but the truck driver went to the hospital via private vehicle to be checked out.
     The woman driver had a flat tire and pulled into a parking lot, where officers found her and arrested her for DWI and leaving the scene of an accident.
     The county's insurance company replaced the car at a cost of $33,000. Burch appeared before the commissioner's court on Tuesday to ask for another $9,000 to outfit the new car with police radio, lights, etc. That was granted.
     Sources tell me that county officers are allowed to work off-duty jobs as long as they relate to law enforcement. The elected official decides whether the job fits the requirements and Burch obviously thought he could work in Tarrant County. Apparently that's where it gets murky. Do county rules apply to working in a different county? Up for discussion. Voters might want to make their views known to their commissioners.
    


                             THE COP SHOP


VIOLENCE AT FAIRGROUNDS

Police arrested a 53-year-old man at the North Texas Fairgrounds Wednesday night after he attacked two people, according to a report. A 57-year-old man called about 8:30 p.m. asking for help. He said he saw his co-worker attacking the co-worker's girlfriend and he told him he could not stand by and watch him assault a woman. The co-worker raised his hand to hit his girlfriend again, and he slapped him, the victim said. Then all three separated and the victim walked to a portable bathroom on the fairgrounds property. When he emerged the co-worker was waiting with a tire iron and hit him twice in the head, he said. Officers found the girlfriend, who had visible injuries. She agreed to press charges. The officers found the suspect and took him to jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, family violence assault and an outstanding warrant from another county for parole violation.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013




                              THE COP SHOP



Man injures son, tries suicide

Denton police officers responded to a report of violence at a house in the 2200 block of Geneva Circle about 8 p.m. Tuesday night. They found a man standing in the hallway holding a knife. The man's wife and 18-year-old son said he became violent during an argument with the son. He began beating him and hit him in the head with a metal candle holder, according to the police report.
Then the man said he would kill himself and retrieved a gun. But he could not find any ammunition for it, so he took a large number of some kind of pills. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation. An investigation is continuing.

Other reports

400 block of Fort Worth Drive - Police took a man to jail after reports about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday that he had become violent with a married couple. The couple said he took out a pocket knife and began swinging it at them. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, public intoxication with something other than alcohol and two outstanding warrants.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013



                               THE COP SHOP


Woman on hook for six loans

A woman told Denton police Monday that she is receiving telephone calls from a collection agency trying to force her to repay six loans that she did not take out. The woman said she does not know who used her identifying information to get the loans.

Other reports

600 block of Audra Lane - Officers responding to a report of violence at an apartment early Monday found a man and woman. The woman refused to talk to the officers. The man was bleeding from numerous scratches on both sides of his neck and a bite mark on his shoulder. He said they were arguing and he decided to leave. That angered her even more, he said, and she attacked him, biting and scratching until he was able to get out the door. The officers took the 27-year-old woman to jail on a charge of assault, family violence.

Monday, August 12, 2013



                              THE COP SHOP

Man finds woman covered in blood at his door

A man who lives in the 9100 block of Teasley called 911 about 6 a.m. Sunday to report that there was a woman at his door covered in blood. The report states that a 35-year-old man was arrested for assault causing serious bodily injury but no other information was included on the report.

Other reports

Los Colinas at Interstate 35 - An officer made a traffic stop Sunday and a routine computer check showed the driver had five outstanding warrants out of other counties. The man was taken into custody and a search turned up a syringe and nearly 2 grams of methamphetamines.

1000 block of Scott Drive - A man reported about 1:30 a.m. Sunday that his daughter received a text message from her boyfriend threatening to kill her whole family in their sleep.

300 block of Industrial Street - A 29-year-old woman called for help about 1 a.m. Sunday, saying her boyfriend had assaulted her. Arriving officers found the woman, who is six months pregnant, had been dragged out of the house, causing injuries to her leg and hip. The boyfriend threw her belongings out of the house as well. When the boyfriend saw the officers he went into the house and locked the door and then began covering the windows with blankets. The woman left with a friend and officers decided to seek a warrant for the man's arrest.



Sunday, August 11, 2013



                              THE COP SHOP


Man robbed but doesn't remember

A man told Denton police about 5 a.m. Saturday that he apparently was robbed on his way home from work. He said he left his workplace in the 500 block of South Elm. He came to in the 700 block of Fort Worth Drive lying between two buildings. He said he had a broken foot and bruises all over his body. He was missing his shoes, his backpack, his cell phone and wedding ring. He does not recall what happened. An investigation is continuing.

Saturday, August 10, 2013



                        THE COP SHOP

Officers respond to burglary alarm, arrest five

Officers responding to a burglary alarm in the 1500 block of South Loop 288 about 10:15 p.m. Friday saw no sign of a break-in but noticed a man walking away in the shadows. The officers asked the man what he was doing and he said he and a woman were in a truck parked nearby. They talked to the woman and found recently used needles in her purse. The pair admitted they had been shooting up with methamphetamines. They said they came from a nearby motel room. Both were taken to jail, where a search revealed more meth in the woman's clothing.
Meanwhile, officers went to the motel room. They found three men there surrounded by drug paraphernalia and prescription medications that did not belong to them. They were taken to jail on charges of possession of a dangerous drug and paraphernalia possession.

Other reports

500 block of Cardinal Street - A woman called for help after a man walked into her apartment and locked the door behind him about 9:45 p.m. Friday. She said she left her door unlocked so that one of her children could get inside. She had two other children in the apartment. She watched the man walk inside and lock two locks behind him on the door. She began screaming at him to leave and he eventually did. Witnesses pointed out the man, who was sitting on the sidewalk in front of the apartment building. He was obviously very intoxicated, according to the report. They took him to jail on charges of criminal trespass and public intoxication.

Friday, August 9, 2013





Wording of affidavit written by Texas Ranger James Holland to seize the cell phone of Constable Jesse Flores to further an investigation into suspected crimes committed by Denton County Sheriff William Travis:


UNDER THE LAWS OF TEXAS, WHO, BEING DULY SWORN, ON OATH MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

My name is Texas Ranger James B. HOLLAND and I am commissioned as a peace officer by the Texas Rangers.

1. There is in Denton County, Texas, the following items, described and located as

follows: An unknown make and model cellular telephone registered to phone number (972)955-5464 and utilized by Jesus Lopez FLORES, HIM, DOB: 04-03-1969, during the year 2012 to at least 06-02-2013.

2. The cellular telephone will be in the possession of Jesus Lopez FLORES and

therefore located at the place where Jesus Lopez FLORES may be found at the time of the execution of the search warrant requested herein. Jesus Lopez FLORES is known to reside at (address redacted) in Denton, Texas. Jesus Lopez FLORES works in Denton County, Texas as a Constable; his office is at 401 West Hickory Street Suite Number 229 Denton, Texas. Affiant requests authority to search the person of Jesus Lopez FLORES, wherever he may be found in Denton County, Texas, IT necessary to seize the cellular telephone described in Section 1., above. Affiant requests authority to enter the premises described herein, IT necessary, to seize the cellular telephone described in Section 1., above.

3. It is the belief of affiant that Denton County Constable Jesus Lopez has possession of and is concealing in said cellular telephone the following: text messages; photographs or digital images, video digital images, Electronic mail, All messages, to include but not limited to, iMessage, SMS, MMS, chat logs such as Yahoo, Skype, MSN, AOL, and other application-based messaging services, contacts, calendar entries, social networking profile data, to include but not limited to, user names and identifying information, messages, contacts/friends, postings and status updates, etc, messages through any games, notes, list of all downloaded applications, web searches, and any all downloaded content. Said property constitutes evidence that the offense described in Paragraph 4, below was committed.

4. Affiant has probable cause for said belief by reason of the following facts and

circumstances:

Your Affiant, Texas Ranger James B. HOLLAND, is a peace officer licensed by the State of Texas and employed by the Texas Rangers. Your Affiant has approximately

seventeen (17) years experience as a licensed peace officer in the State of Texas.

Your Affiant has extensive experience in investigating felonious crimes and has been conducting high profile' felonious investigations as a Texas Ranger for more than five (5) years.

On 04-16-2013, Company "B" Headquarters aSSigned Company "B" Texas Ranger James B. HOLLAND to conduct an inquiry into allegations that Denton County Sheriff William Barrett TRAVIS, W/M, DOB: 01-22-1963, offered a bribe to former Denton County Sheriff's Department Deputy Kevin Andrew BRAGG, W/M, DOB: 11-10-1965.

Company "B" Headquarters provided a letter from Special Prosecutor Frank ABLE

requesting the Texas Rangers to investigate said allegations of Bribery.

On 04-23-2013, Ranger HOLLAND met with Special Prosecutor Frank ABLE at the Denton County District Attorney's Office. Special Prosecutor ABLE provided Ranger HOLLAND the following documents:

A letter from attorney Robert J. DAVIS dated 02-07-2013, addressed to Assistant

Denton County District Attorney Hardy BURKE. The letter pertained to a civil

lawsuit filed by Kevin BRAGG against Denton County and former Denton County

Sheriff Benny PARKEY. The letter discussed the following: An attached

electronic message that was sent by BRAGG'S attorney, Chris RAESZ, an

electronic message "purportedly" sent from Sheriff TRAVIS to BRAGG dated 10-

12-1012, and various attachments that included sections of the Texas Penal

Code involving Bribery, Bribery and Corrupt Influence, Tampering with a Witness, and a reported case involving a conviction for Bribery against former Denton County Sheriff KAISNER.

An electronic message from 'William Travis <Xraywt1 @aol.com>" to "k bragg

<kdrewb3633@yahoo.com>, sent "Thursday, October 25,2012 11:15 AM,"

Subject "Good Morning." The electronic message discussed the possible lawsuit

BRAGG filed against the former Sheriff PARKEY and Denton County. The

electronic message stated the following:

" ... if you did file a suit and you want to come back to work at Denton County

Sheriffs Office a couple of things need to be done? The law suit has to be

dropped and I have to see a judgment reflecting this by November 5, 2012! Also

required, will be a letter to me stating you will never sue me, my staff, the Denton

County Sheriffs Office or Denton County in any way! This letter must be from

your attorney and need to be signed and notarized! This letter also has to be to

me by November the 5th, 2012. I hope you can understand all of my request!! I

don't play that way and don't expect the people that work for me to operate in

that manner! Talk to you soon, Will"

On 05-03-2013, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed former Denton County Sheriff and current Cooke County Attorney Investigator Benny Wade PARKEY, WIM, DOB: 02-11-1953, at the Cooke County Courthouse located in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas.

Investigator PARKEY stated the following:

A) In 2009, Former Denton County Sheriffs Department Deputy Kevin BRAGG

initiated a lawsuit against PARKEY, the Denton County Sheriffs Department, and

Denton County. BRAGG'S lawsuit alleged that he (BRAGG) was a whistle

blower and was fired because he (BRAGG) reported malfeasance in the Denton

County Sheriffs Department.

B) Three days after the November election, TRAVIS met with PARKEY in

PARKEY'S office at the Denton County Sheriffs Department. The BRAGG

lawsuit was brought up during the conversation. TRAVIS advised that he did not

know about BRAGG'S suit until two (2) weeks prior. TRAVIS stated that BRAGG

would drop the law suit against the Sheriffs Department when PARKEY left

office. TRAVIS advised that he went to church with BRAGG and that TRAVIS

had "bent BRAGG'S ears back" over the suit. TRAVIS stated that BRAGG was

"gonna drop it when you leave," and that "none of this gonna happen."

On 04-03-2013, Ranger HOLLAND reviewed a recording of a conversation in which

TRAVIS was discussing the BRAGG lawsuit. TRAVIS stated the following reference

Kevin BRAGG:

" ... To give you a little heads up on that. .. Kevin goes to my church .. . I did not find out about that lawsuit until ah two weeks ago. That's the honest truth ... anyway when he told me about it and I blew up at him in church. I mean just flat blew up in the lobby and said you better give me a dismissal because I wanna give it to him because here your wrong. Just because you lost your job you need to take enough pride and get going somewhere else and find another job, do whatever you got to do. Shame on you for. .. anyway he's gonna drop it anyway when you leave. So I was hoping I told him you better have these dismissal papers from your attorney if you don't or you and I will never say another word again ... 1 did not know about the lawsuit. .. well none of that's gonna happen ... "

On 05-07-2013, at approximately 10:46 AM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a Denton County Sheriffs Department Deputy in Denton County, Texas. Said deputy stated the

following:

A) TRAVIS advised said deputy, in approximately late August of 2012, prior to the

November general election that he (TRAVIS) would get BRAGG to drop a lawsuit

against former Sheriff PARKEY, and the Denton County Sheriffs Department, to

show PARKEY that he (TRAVIS) was getting things done. TRAVIS advised said

deputy that it was important for him (TRAVIS) to get the BRAGG lawsuit dropped

because it would "look good" on TRAVIS. TRAVIS both texted and directly

communicated with said deputy in reference to BRAGG dropping his lawsuit, that

he (TRAVIS) was "just gonna get it done." TRAVIS never went into specific

details with said deputy about how he (TRAVIS) would get BRAGG to drop the

suit, but stated (TRAVIS) "one way or another he would get it (BRAGG'S lawsuit)

dropped."

On 05-30-2013, at approximately 10:10 AM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed former Denton County Sheriffs Department Deputy and current Runaway Bay Police Officer Kevin BRAGG, WIM, DOB: 11-10-1965, at the office of BRAGG'S attorney, Chris RAESZ. BRAGG presented Ranger HOLLAND with a copy of an electronic message sent from Sheriff TRAVIS (Xraywt1 @aol.com) to BRAGG (kdrewb3633@yahoo.com) dated 10-25-2012, at 8:58 PM. The electronic message contained a string of three (3) electronic correspondences that were initiated by TRAVIS on 10-25-1012, at 11: 15 AM. The first string was identical to prior correspondence provided to Ranger HOLLAND by Special Prosecutor ABLE, in which TRAVIS laid out a list of demands that were to be met if BRAGG were to be employed by the Denton County Sheriffs Office. The second string was a response from BRAGG dated 10-25-2012, at 1:10 PM. The third string

was a response from Sheriff TRAVIS dated 10-25-2012, at 8:58 PM.

BRAGG informed his attorney Chris RAESZ about TRAVIS' electronic message and was told by RAESZ not to communicate with TRAVIS. RAESZ stated that he believed TRAVIS' offer was a violation of the law and advised his client not to communicate with TRAVIS. BRAGG stated the following:

A) The electronic messaging address "kdrewb3633@yahoo.com" was that of Kevin BRAGG. The electronic messaging address "Xrayw1 @aol.com" was that of Sheriff TRAVIS. Sheriff TRAVIS had provided said address to BRAGG in the past and BRAGG and Sheriff TRAVIS had communicated extensively on said addresses prior to October of 2012.

B) TRAVIS knew about BRAGG'S lawsuit against Denton County and former Sheriff PARKEY. BRAGG believed that TRAVIS' electronic message conveyed "l will give you job if you drop the lawsuit." BRAGG felt that TRAVIS was "bribing me ... " .

C) BRAGG met with then Denton County Sheriff Candidate Jesse FLORES, HIM,

DOB: 04-13-1969, and Denton County Constable Candidate Barry MINOFF, HIM, DOB: 02-08-1975, at the I-Hop Restaurant in Lewisville, Texas, prior to the November general election. During this meeting and in the presence of MINOFF, FLORES told BRAGG that then candidate TRAVIS told FLORES that if he (FLORES) dropped out of the Sheriffs Department race, TRAVIS would appoint FLORES to a "Chiefs spot" in the Sheriffs Office, once TRAVIS was elected.

On 06-03-2013, at approximately 3:54 PM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed former Denton County Sheriff Candidate and current Denton County Precinct 1 Constable Jesus Lopez FLORES, HIM, DOB: 04-03-1969, at the Decatur Ranger office. FLORES stated the following:

A) FLORES was the first person to announce his candidacy for the Denton County

Sheriff. Then candidate TRAVIS called FLORES and told him (FLORES) that he

(TRAVIS) was running for Sheriff. Both TRAVIS and FLORES agreed to "keep things clean" in the race.

8) TRAVIS never personally mentioned to FLORES that if he (FLORES) dropped out of the Sheriffs race, TRAVIS would give him (FLORES) a job in the Sheriffs Office.

FLORES had heard from "others," after the primary, that TRAVIS was considering

bringing FLORES into his (TRAVIS) administration.

C) When asked by Ranger HOLLAND if TRAVIS offered FLORES a position in the Denton County Sheriffs Office, if FLORES dropped out of the race, FLORES stated "I don't think so." FLORES stated, "To the best of my knowledge," TRAVIS did not offer him (FLORES) a job in the Sheriffs Office, prior to the primary election. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that his answers were indicative of deception. FLORES stated that he was being "honest" in his (FLORES) answers. FLORES stated that he was telling the truth.

D) Prior to the general election, but after the primary election, TRAVIS never "directly" offered FLORES a position in the Sheriffs Office. FLORES had only heard "rumors" that he would be offered a job by TRAVIS.

E) FLORES stated that he communicated with TRAVIS by text and cellular phone on a limited basis during the election, but that there was no text communication, "nothing that I remember," before the primary election. FLORES stated that he did not think he saved any of said text messages. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that Ranger HOLLAND had begun receiving court ordered communication reference this investigation. FLORES then stated that he did communicate by text with TRAVIS, prior to the primary election. FLORES stated that toward the end of the race, "I supported ' him (TRAVIS)." FLORES stated that he began supporting TRAVIS approximately one month prior to the primary election. FLORES then stated that approximately one month prior to the primary election, he (FLORES) "filtered" texts to TRAVIS about PARKEY,

and that most of the texts were in reference to the BRAGG lawsuit against PARKEY and the Mental Health Unit.

F) Ranger HOLLAND asked FLORES to review his cellular phone to determine if he (FLORES) still had communication with TRAVIS on his (FLORES) cellular phone.

FLORES stated that he did still have communication from TRAVIS on his cellular

phone. FLORES then displayed to Ranger HOLLAND several text messages sent to and received from TRAVIS. Ranger HOLLAND asked FLORES if he (FLORES) would allow Ranger HOLLAND to "mirror" his (FLORES) cellular telephone. FLORES stated that he would provide communication from TRAVIS to Ranger HOLLAND, but that he (FLORES) would not allow Ranger HOLLAND to "mirror" his phone. Ranger HOLLAND requested FLORES to examine his communication from and to TRAVIS to ensure that TRAVIS did not offer him a position in the Sheriff's Office and that TRAVIS did not entice him (FLORES) to drop out of the race. FLORES stated he would review said

communication, and that he would provide said communication to Ranger HOLLAND, at a future date.

G) When questioned by Ranger HOLLAND about TRAVIS making any type of

statement to FLORES about dropping out of the race because FLORES' continued

involvement would force a run-off election, and cost TRAVIS more money, FLORES stated that prior to the primary TRAVIS had "joked" with him (FLORES) that FLORES' continued involvement "was going to cost him (TRAVIS) more money in the run-off."

At the conclusion of the interview, Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that he

(FLORES) was a witness and assured FLORES that he (FLORES) was not a subject of any type of criminal investigation. Ranger HOLLAND admonished FLORES not to mention his interview with Ranger HOLLAND to anyone and not to speak of any details of said interview to anyone. FLORES promised Ranger HOLLAND that he (FLORES) would not mention a word of the interview or Ranger HOLLAND'S investigation to anyone.

On 06-05-2013, at approximately 11 :00 AM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a retired law enforcement officer and current resident of Denton County. Said individual did not show to have a criminal history. Said individual stated the following:

A) A month or two following the primary election, said retired law enforcement officer had lunch with FLORES and Deputy Constable MINOFF at possibly McDonalds.

During said lunch, while MINOFF was present, FLORES told said individual that

TRAVIS had wanted him (FLORES) to drop out of the race and that TRAVIS said

"There would be a place" for him (FLORES), if FLORES would drop out of the election.

FLORES stated that TRAVIS made this offer because TRAVIS did not want the election

to go to a run-off. FLORES stated that in a conversation directly with TRAVIS, "TRAVIS tried to get me to drop out of the race. II

8) Said individual stated that he was "positive" that FLORES told him, in the presence of MINOFF, that TRAVIS stated to FLORES that FLORES would receive a position in the Sheriff's Office, if FLORES dropped out of the Sheriffs race. Said individual stated that FLORES would probably not be honest about the offer, because FLORES was trying to get TRAVIS' endorsement in his (FLORES) current campaign for Constable.

On 06-05-2013, at approximately 1 :30 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to Constable FLORES by telephone. FLORES stated that he (FLORES) had reviewed the text messages on his (FLORES) cellular phone to and from TRAVIS and that TRAVIS did not offer him a job or try to get him to drop out of the Sheriffs campaign. FLORES advised that when he (FLORES) reviewed his text messages to and from TRAVIS, he (FLORES) realized that he had deleted all messages to and from TRAVIS, prior to October of 2012. Ranger HOLLAND requested FLORES submit to a polygraph examination with the relevant question being whether or not TRAVIS offered him (FLORES) a position in the Sheriffs Office, if he (FLORES) dropped out of the Sheriffs race. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that he (Ranger HOLLAND) could close that "chapter" of the investigation, if FLORES would take and pass the polygraph examination. Ranger HOLLAND again advised FLORES that he (FLORES) was a witness and not a target of the investigation. FLORES advised that he (FLORES) was

telling the truth and that he would have to think about taking a polygraph and speak with his attorney.

On 06-06-2013, at approximately 4:00 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to Constable FLORES by telephone. Constable FLORES advised that he would not speak to Ranger HOLLAND under advice of counsel and further advised that he would not submit to a polygraph examination. Constable FLORES advised that he would not allow Ranger HOLLAND to forensically examine his cellular telephone. Constable FLORES stated that Ranger HOLLAND was conducting a "witch hunt," and that he (FLORES) had done nothing but cooperate. Ranger HOLLAND asked Constable FLORES why he told Constable BURCH and Deputy MINOFF about Ranger HOLLAND'S investigation and why he told Deputy MINOFF that Ranger HOLLAND would be interviewing him.

Constable FLORES advised that he had a duty to tell Constable BURCH about the

investigation because it involved one of his men. Ranger HOLLAND reminded

Constable FLORES that he had given his (FLORES) word not to discuss Ranger

HOLLAND'S investigation with anyone. Ranger HOLLAND advised Constable FLORES that he would be forced to secure a search warrant for Constable FLORES' phone, if Constable FLORES refused to provide the requested information. Ranger HOLLAND advised Constable FLORES that a search warrant affidavit would be open to public record scrutiny, and that Ranger HOLLAND was trying to conduct a discrete investigation. Ranger HOLLAND advised Constable FLORES that he would be securing a search warrant for Constable FLORES' telephone and warned Constable FLORES not to delete or destroy any information on Constable FLORES' cellular telephone. Constable FLORES asked "Are you threatening me?" Ranger HOLLAND stated that he was not threatening Constable FLORES, but merely advising Constable FLORES that the information on his cellular phone was evidence in a criminal investigation and that there were criminal penalties for destroying or tampering with evidence. Ranger HOLLAND again reminded Constable FLORES that he was a witness and not a subject of said investigation. Constable FLORES refused to speak further, refused to submit to a polygraph examination, and refused to allow Ranger HOLLAND access to his (FLORES) cellular telephone.

On 06-06-2013, at approximately 8:54 PM, Ranger HOLLAND traveled to TRAVIS' residence in Argyle, Denton County, Texas. Ranger HOLLAND approached TRAVIS' front door and eventually made contact with TRAVIS. TRAVIS welcomed Ranger HOLLAND into his residence as he (TRAVIS) spoke on his cellular telephone. Ranger HOLLAND requested to speak to TRAVIS about matters that he (Ranger HOLLAND) was investigating in regard to TRAVIS, specifically an "e-mail" that was sent to Kevin BRAGG. Ranger HOLLAND displayed said "e-mail" to TRAVIS. TRAVIS stated the following:

A) TRAVIS stated that "You can't hire a person in the county" if they have a lawsuit against the county. TRAVIS stated "My only intent I guess I should have finished it (email to BRAGG) out. You can't get hired by the county unless ... if you have a lawsuit your done ... that was it that was my main deal there is no promise of a job." TRAVIS stated that BRAGG had sent an electronic message to another individual in which BRAGG told that person 'Will does not promise jobs."

B) TRAVIS stated "I wrote all this (the electronic message to BRAGG) ... you just can't hire anybody through our county if you have a lawsuit." Travis stated "He (BRAGG) never applied for the job."

C) TRAVIS stated he never made a job offer to FLORES and never propositioned

FLORES to drop out of the Sheriff's race.

D) TRAVIS stated his computer accounts were not hacked into. TRAVIS stated all the rumors about the "FBI" seizing his computers were just a rumor.

On 06-07-2013, at approximately 12:02 AM, Ranger HOLLAND met with BRAGG.

BRAGG stated Deputy Constable MINOFF told him that TRAVIS, MINOFF, and

FLORES had all met, prior to the primary election, at an I-Hop in Lewisville, Texas. BRAGG stated that MINOFF told him that during said meeting, TRAVIS offered both FLORES and MINOFF positions in the Denton County Sheriff's Office. BRAGG stated that he (BRAGG) later brought up said meeting to FLORES. BRAGG stated that FLORES told him TRAVIS said he (TRAVIS) would make FLORES a Captain at the Denton County Sheriff's Office, if FLORES dropped out of the race. BRAGG stated that FLORES told him that he (FLORES) told TRAVIS that he (FLORES) had too much invested and too many people backing him to drop out of the race.

On 06-10-2013, at approximately 9:10 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to Constable FLORES by telephone. Constable FLORES stated the following:

A) Constable FLORES felt it was important to advise Ranger HOLLAND that there were rumors that the Sheriff's position would be vacated. Constable FLORES advised that the Precinct Chair had told him (FLORES) that if TRAVIS' position was vacated, Constable FLORES would be offered an appointment to Sheriff.

B) Constable FLORES asked if he took the polygraph examination, would Ranger

HOLLAND agree not to forensically examine his (FLORES) cellular phone. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES, no. Constable FLORES advised he (FLORES) would have to talk to his wife because she would not be happy with him (FLORES).

(Constable FLORES made it evident that he did not want his cellular phone forensically examined).

C) Constable FLORES stated, that at this point, he thought he (FLORES) would submit to a polygraph examination, but that he was not sure and would have to think about it some more. Constable FLORES stated that he did not remember everything.

D) Constable FLORES stated "I'm gonna be shocked if I fail the polygraph

examination." Constable FLORES stated he was worried that if/when he (FLORES) failed the polygraph examination; "I don't want you to think I'm lying."

Several days later, Constable FLORES left a message on Ranger HOLLAND'S cellular phone that he (FLORES) was waiting to hear back from his attorney because he was trying to get his attorney to be present at the polygraph examination. To this date Constable FLORES has refused to submit to a polygraph examination, refused to allow Ranger HOLLAND to forensically examine his (FLORES) cellular telephone, and has failed to provide Ranger HOLLAND electronic communication sent to and received from Sheriff TRAVIS.

On 06-26-2013, at approximately 1 :00 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to BRAGG by telephone. BRAGG stated that he remembered, at a rodeo type function at TRAVIS' arena, being present and hearing TRAVIS offer FLORES the Sheriffs Department Public Information Officer Captain position. BRAGG stated he remembered FLORES stating that sounded good to him (FLORES). BRAGG believed said event was after the primary election, but prior to the general election.

On 07-01-2013, at approximately 2:00 PM, Company "B" Texas Ranger James B.

HOLLAND interviewed Denton County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Rex Dean

GEORGE, W/M, DOB: 08-24-1961, at the Decatur Ranger office. GEORGE stated the following:

A) TRAVIS told GEORGE, probably before the primary election, that he (TRAVIS) had run into BRAGG while at church. GEORGE advised TRAVIS "Be careful with that guy because he has a lawsuit against the county." GEORGE believed that TRAVIS may have known about BRAGG'S lawsuit prior to GEORGE advising TRAVIS. GEORGE stated that there was "no doubt" I told him (TRAVIS) about BRAGG'S lawsuit, at said time.

B) GEORGE had no further communication about the BRAGG lawsuit with TRAVIS, until several weeks after the primary election, around Mayor June of 2012.

C) In Mayor June of 2012, TRAVIS stated to GEORGE that he (TRAVIS) wanted to make BRAGG'S lawsuit "go away." GEORGE "adamantly" advised TRAVIS to

"runaway" from BRAGG. GEORGE told TRAVIS "It is not our lawsuit, let it go."

GEORGE was not sure why TRAVIS was so concerned with the BRAGG lawsuit, but believed that TRAVIS wanted a "clean slate" with no law suits when he (TRAVIS) entered office. GEORGE stated that he told TRAVIS that when he became Sheriff he would be sued and it was just the way things were. GEORGE stated that when TRAVIS said he would "like to see it (BRAGG'S lawsuit) go away," GEORGE adamantly advised him (TRAVIS) to stay away from BRAGG.

D) GEORGE stated he had no further communication with TRAVIS about the BRAGG lawsuit until he (GEORGE) observed the RAESZ' brief, sometime in February of 2013. GEORGE stated that TRAVIS was a "dumbass" for staying in contact with BRAGG, and that the electronic message TRAVIS sent to BRAGG was "stupid" and "non-sensical."

GEORGE stated that he was "surprised" TRAVIS sent said electronic message to

BRAGG.

On 07-02-2013, at approximately 2:04 PM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a Lewisville Police Department Officer, at the Lewisville Police Department. Said officer stated the following:

A) FLORES relayed to said Officer, in multiple conversations (prior to the primary

election), that FLORES would be going to work for TRAVIS at the Denton County

Sheriff's Office. FLORES told said Officer toward the end of the primary election, that he (FLORES) had no money to campaign, and that TRAVIS had told FLORES to drop out of the race and "go work for" TRAVIS at the Denton County Sheriff's Office.

B) FLORES relayed in multiple conversations (prior to the primary election) to said Officer that there was no doubt that he (FLORES) would be going to work for TRAVIS in January.

C) Prior to the primary election, FLORES spoke, almost on a daily basis, about going to work for TRAVIS at the Denton County Sheriffs Office.

D) Toward the end of the primary election, it was understood by FLORES that he

(FLORES) did not have a chance at winning the race, (relayed in multiple conversation with said Officer) so he (FLORES) turned his support toward TRAVIS.

E) Prior to the primary election, FLORES told said Officer that TRAVIS promised

FLORES a job. FLORES continually stated ''when Wil gets in there, he will give me a job, in January I'm gone."

G) Said officer described FLORES as someone that was not honest, and who would do anything to get where he (FLORES) wants to go.

H) Said officer stated that FLORES would be lying if he (FLORES) stated TRAVIS did not offer him a job.

On 07-02-2013, at approximately 2:41 PM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a second Lewisville Police Department Officer at the Lewisville Police Department. Said officer stated the following:

A) Said officer worked with FLORES at Lewisville Police Department. Approximately one (1) month prior to the primary election, FLORES began throwing his support behind TRAVIS. Weeks after the primary election, FLORES told said officer the following: "Wil told me he wants me in his administration," "I have a job at the Sheriffs Department, I'm going to be able to retire," "I'm going to the County."

8) Said officer stated that FLORES told him that once the (general) election was held, he (FLORES) would be hired by TRAVIS, and that he (FLORES) had been told that he would be hired, by 'WilL"

C) Said officer stated that FLORES would be lying if he (FLORES) stated TRAVIS did not offer him a job.

On 08-06-2013, at approximately 3:00 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to the retired law enforcement officer he (Ranger HOLLAND) had interviewed on 06-05-2013. Said retired law enforcement officer stated that FLORES had questioned him if Ranger HOLLAND had interviewed him. Said retired officer stated he told FLORES that the Ranger had interviewed him. Said retired law enforcement officer stated FLORES questioned him as to what Ranger HOLLAND enquired about.

Affiant knows through training and experience that cellular telephones can send and receive text messages and that text messages sent and received on the cellular

telephone can be stored in the telephones memory. Affiant believes that text messages stored on suspected party's cellular telephone may concern conversations related to the enumerated offense(s).

Affiant knows from personal knowledge that cellular telephones can access the World Wide Web (internet) and allow the user to operate the cellular telephone as a hand held computer. In this mode of operation, not placing and receiving calls, the user can access email accounts, social media sites, instant messaging and browse the internet to make searches on a variety of topics. Affiant also knows that users can also manipulate stored data either on the cellular telephone or to web servers to access at a later time.

Affiant is familiar with programs referred to as "Apps". "Apps" are computer applications downloaded onto a cellular telephone which work in conjunction with a web server to allow images, and videos to be moved from the memory of a cellular telephone and stored to a designated website or "cloud" application. These "Apps" are accessible via the cellular telephone through a user name and password, which remain stored on the cellular telephone.

Affiant knows through training and experience that people utilize computers that access the World Wide Web (internet) to connect to others with like interest. This interest can be legal or illegal in nature, and through the computer an individual can remain somewhat anonymous in these activities. This allows individuals to become more empowered to conduct illegal business over such avenues. Affiant is aware that many illegal ventures have been started via a computer, utilizing direct contact (email), blogs (discussions sites) or social media. A computer used in this manner by an individual makes an act harder to discover by law enforcement due to the anonymity of the individual while on a computer. Often times evidence of these illegal acts are discovered after the act as taken place by retrieving computer files or programs that contain digital data detailing the crime. This data must be recovered by law enforcement through investigative analysis.

Wherefore, affiant asks for the issuance of a warrant that will authorize the search of said cellular telephone, (computer and said computer memory storage devices) as described above, to include any installed or accompanying hard disk drives, flash media, any other storage media, and any stored electronic communications as defined by Art. 18.20, Sec. 1 (15) and (20) pursuant to Art. 18.21, Sec. 1(1), Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The search of said computers and cellular telephone may include the examination of installed software; that is, digital information that can be interpreted by a computer and any of its related components, which may be stored in electronic, magnetic, optical, or other digital form. The search includes the examination of stored materials, media, documents, and data, including but not limited to: address books; recently called numbers; recently received numbers; digital images; and text messages.

The search may also include the examination and/or utilization of any manuals and

documentation which may be written, recorded, printed, and/or electronically stored material which explains or illustrates how to configure or use the computers, cellular telephone or other related items. The search may also include other areas of the computers and cellular telephone in which said suspected party may store data evidence which is the object of the search requested herein. Furthermore, said items can be analyzed by a trained evidence recovery specialist in order to retrieve, restore, and/or reproduce any or all information believed to be evidence of said offense(s).

Based upon affiant's knowledge, training, and experience, affiant knows that computers and cellular telephones and other electronic evidence that may not be readily accessible without proper equipment can be searched by personnel trained to conduct computer and cellular telephone evidence examinations. For this reason, affiant also requests authorization to transport said computers and cellular telephone, accompanying media containing software and data, and computer and cellular telephone related documentation, or duplicate copies of the data contained in each of these items, out of this county for complete and thorough examination by trained personnel in a controlled environment.

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME BY SAID AFFIANT ON THIS

THE 8th DAY OF August, 2013.

UNDER THE LAWS OF TEXAS, WHO, BEING DULY SWORN, ON OATH MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

My name is Texas Ranger James B. HOLLAND and I am commissioned as a peace officer by the Texas Rangers.

1. There is in Denton County, Texas, the following items, described and located as

follows: An unknown make and model cellular telephone registered to phone number (972)955-5464 and utilized by Jesus Lopez FLORES, HIM, DOB: 04-03-1969, during the year 2012 to at least 06-02-2013.

2. The cellular telephone will be in the possession of Jesus Lopez FLORES and

therefore located at the place where Jesus Lopez FLORES may be found at the time of the execution of the search warrant requested herein. Jesus Lopez FLORES is known to reside at (address redacted) in Denton, Texas. Jesus Lopez FLORES works in Denton County, Texas as a Constable; his office is at 401 West Hickory Street Suite Number 229 Denton, Texas. Affiant requests authority to search the person of Jesus Lopez FLORES, wherever he may be found in Denton County, Texas, IT necessary to seize the cellular telephone described in Section 1., above. Affiant requests authority to enter the premises described herein, IT necessary, to seize the cellular telephone described in Section 1., above.

3. It is the belief of affiant that Denton County Constable Jesus Lopez has possession of and is concealing in said cellular telephone the following: text messages; photographs or digital images, video digital images, Electronic mail, All messages, to include but not limited to, iMessage, SMS, MMS, chat logs such as Yahoo, Skype, MSN, AOL, and other application-based messaging services, contacts, calendar entries, social networking profile data, to include but not limited to, user names and identifying information, messages, contacts/friends, postings and status updates, etc, messages through any games, notes, list of all downloaded applications, web searches, and any all downloaded content. Said property constitutes evidence that the offense described in Paragraph 4, below was committed.

4. Affiant has probable cause for said belief by reason of the following facts and

circumstances:

Your Affiant, Texas Ranger James B. HOLLAND, is a peace officer licensed by the State of Texas and employed by the Texas Rangers. Your Affiant has approximately

seventeen (17) years experience as a licensed peace officer in the State of Texas.

Your Affiant has extensive experience in investigating felonious crimes and has been conducting high profile' felonious investigations as a Texas Ranger for more than five (5) years.

On 04-16-2013, Company "B" Headquarters aSSigned Company "B" Texas Ranger James B. HOLLAND to conduct an inquiry into allegations that Denton County Sheriff William Barrett TRAVIS, W/M, DOB: 01-22-1963, offered a bribe to former Denton County Sheriff's Department Deputy Kevin Andrew BRAGG, W/M, DOB: 11-10-1965.

Company "B" Headquarters provided a letter from Special Prosecutor Frank ABLE

requesting the Texas Rangers to investigate said allegations of Bribery.

On 04-23-2013, Ranger HOLLAND met with Special Prosecutor Frank ABLE at the Denton County District Attorney's Office. Special Prosecutor ABLE provided Ranger HOLLAND the following documents:

A letter from attorney Robert J. DAVIS dated 02-07-2013, addressed to Assistant

Denton County District Attorney Hardy BURKE. The letter pertained to a civil

lawsuit filed by Kevin BRAGG against Denton County and former Denton County

Sheriff Benny PARKEY. The letter discussed the following: An attached

electronic message that was sent by BRAGG'S attorney, Chris RAESZ, an

electronic message "purportedly" sent from Sheriff TRAVIS to BRAGG dated 10-

12-1012, and various attachments that included sections of the Texas Penal

Code involving Bribery, Bribery and Corrupt Influence, Tampering with a Witness, and a reported case involving a conviction for Bribery against former Denton County Sheriff KAISNER.

An electronic message from 'William Travis <Xraywt1 @aol.com>" to "k bragg

<kdrewb3633@yahoo.com>, sent "Thursday, October 25,2012 11:15 AM,"

Subject "Good Morning." The electronic message discussed the possible lawsuit

BRAGG filed against the former Sheriff PARKEY and Denton County. The

electronic message stated the following:

" ... if you did file a suit and you want to come back to work at Denton County

Sheriffs Office a couple of things need to be done? The law suit has to be

dropped and I have to see a judgment reflecting this by November 5, 2012! Also

required, will be a letter to me stating you will never sue me, my staff, the Denton

County Sheriffs Office or Denton County in any way! This letter must be from

your attorney and need to be signed and notarized! This letter also has to be to

me by November the 5th, 2012. I hope you can understand all of my request!! I

don't play that way and don't expect the people that work for me to operate in

that manner! Talk to you soon, Will"

On 05-03-2013, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed former Denton County Sheriff and current Cooke County Attorney Investigator Benny Wade PARKEY, WIM, DOB: 02-11-1953, at the Cooke County Courthouse located in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas.

Investigator PARKEY stated the following:

A) In 2009, Former Denton County Sheriffs Department Deputy Kevin BRAGG

initiated a lawsuit against PARKEY, the Denton County Sheriffs Department, and

Denton County. BRAGG'S lawsuit alleged that he (BRAGG) was a whistle

blower and was fired because he (BRAGG) reported malfeasance in the Denton

County Sheriffs Department.

B) Three days after the November election, TRAVIS met with PARKEY in

PARKEY'S office at the Denton County Sheriffs Department. The BRAGG

lawsuit was brought up during the conversation. TRAVIS advised that he did not

know about BRAGG'S suit until two (2) weeks prior. TRAVIS stated that BRAGG

would drop the law suit against the Sheriffs Department when PARKEY left

office. TRAVIS advised that he went to church with BRAGG and that TRAVIS

had "bent BRAGG'S ears back" over the suit. TRAVIS stated that BRAGG was

"gonna drop it when you leave," and that "none of this gonna happen."

On 04-03-2013, Ranger HOLLAND reviewed a recording of a conversation in which

TRAVIS was discussing the BRAGG lawsuit. TRAVIS stated the following reference

Kevin BRAGG:

" ... To give you a little heads up on that. .. Kevin goes to my church .. . I did not find out about that lawsuit until ah two weeks ago. That's the honest truth ... anyway when he told me about it and I blew up at him in church. I mean just flat blew up in the lobby and said you better give me a dismissal because I wanna give it to him because here your wrong. Just because you lost your job you need to take enough pride and get going somewhere else and find another job, do whatever you got to do. Shame on you for. .. anyway he's gonna drop it anyway when you leave. So I was hoping I told him you better have these dismissal papers from your attorney if you don't or you and I will never say another word again ... 1 did not know about the lawsuit. .. well none of that's gonna happen ... "

On 05-07-2013, at approximately 10:46 AM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a Denton County Sheriffs Department Deputy in Denton County, Texas. Said deputy stated the

following:

A) TRAVIS advised said deputy, in approximately late August of 2012, prior to the

November general election that he (TRAVIS) would get BRAGG to drop a lawsuit

against former Sheriff PARKEY, and the Denton County Sheriffs Department, to

show PARKEY that he (TRAVIS) was getting things done. TRAVIS advised said

deputy that it was important for him (TRAVIS) to get the BRAGG lawsuit dropped

because it would "look good" on TRAVIS. TRAVIS both texted and directly

communicated with said deputy in reference to BRAGG dropping his lawsuit, that

he (TRAVIS) was "just gonna get it done." TRAVIS never went into specific

details with said deputy about how he (TRAVIS) would get BRAGG to drop the

suit, but stated (TRAVIS) "one way or another he would get it (BRAGG'S lawsuit)

dropped."

On 05-30-2013, at approximately 10:10 AM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed former Denton County Sheriffs Department Deputy and current Runaway Bay Police Officer Kevin BRAGG, WIM, DOB: 11-10-1965, at the office of BRAGG'S attorney, Chris RAESZ. BRAGG presented Ranger HOLLAND with a copy of an electronic message sent from Sheriff TRAVIS (Xraywt1 @aol.com) to BRAGG (kdrewb3633@yahoo.com) dated 10-25-2012, at 8:58 PM. The electronic message contained a string of three (3) electronic correspondences that were initiated by TRAVIS on 10-25-1012, at 11: 15 AM. The first string was identical to prior correspondence provided to Ranger HOLLAND by Special Prosecutor ABLE, in which TRAVIS laid out a list of demands that were to be met if BRAGG were to be employed by the Denton County Sheriffs Office. The second string was a response from BRAGG dated 10-25-2012, at 1:10 PM. The third string

was a response from Sheriff TRAVIS dated 10-25-2012, at 8:58 PM.

BRAGG informed his attorney Chris RAESZ about TRAVIS' electronic message and was told by RAESZ not to communicate with TRAVIS. RAESZ stated that he believed TRAVIS' offer was a violation of the law and advised his client not to communicate with TRAVIS. BRAGG stated the following:

A) The electronic messaging address "kdrewb3633@yahoo.com" was that of Kevin BRAGG. The electronic messaging address "Xrayw1 @aol.com" was that of Sheriff TRAVIS. Sheriff TRAVIS had provided said address to BRAGG in the past and BRAGG and Sheriff TRAVIS had communicated extensively on said addresses prior to October of 2012.

B) TRAVIS knew about BRAGG'S lawsuit against Denton County and former Sheriff PARKEY. BRAGG believed that TRAVIS' electronic message conveyed "l will give you job if you drop the lawsuit." BRAGG felt that TRAVIS was "bribing me ... " .

C) BRAGG met with then Denton County Sheriff Candidate Jesse FLORES, HIM,

DOB: 04-13-1969, and Denton County Constable Candidate Barry MINOFF, HIM, DOB: 02-08-1975, at the I-Hop Restaurant in Lewisville, Texas, prior to the November general election. During this meeting and in the presence of MINOFF, FLORES told BRAGG that then candidate TRAVIS told FLORES that if he (FLORES) dropped out of the Sheriffs Department race, TRAVIS would appoint FLORES to a "Chiefs spot" in the Sheriffs Office, once TRAVIS was elected.

On 06-03-2013, at approximately 3:54 PM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed former Denton County Sheriff Candidate and current Denton County Precinct 1 Constable Jesus Lopez FLORES, HIM, DOB: 04-03-1969, at the Decatur Ranger office. FLORES stated the following:

A) FLORES was the first person to announce his candidacy for the Denton County

Sheriff. Then candidate TRAVIS called FLORES and told him (FLORES) that he

(TRAVIS) was running for Sheriff. Both TRAVIS and FLORES agreed to "keep things clean" in the race.

8) TRAVIS never personally mentioned to FLORES that if he (FLORES) dropped out of the Sheriffs race, TRAVIS would give him (FLORES) a job in the Sheriffs Office.

FLORES had heard from "others," after the primary, that TRAVIS was considering

bringing FLORES into his (TRAVIS) administration.

C) When asked by Ranger HOLLAND if TRAVIS offered FLORES a position in the Denton County Sheriffs Office, if FLORES dropped out of the race, FLORES stated "I don't think so." FLORES stated, "To the best of my knowledge," TRAVIS did not offer him (FLORES) a job in the Sheriffs Office, prior to the primary election. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that his answers were indicative of deception. FLORES stated that he was being "honest" in his (FLORES) answers. FLORES stated that he was telling the truth.

D) Prior to the general election, but after the primary election, TRAVIS never "directly" offered FLORES a position in the Sheriffs Office. FLORES had only heard "rumors" that he would be offered a job by TRAVIS.

E) FLORES stated that he communicated with TRAVIS by text and cellular phone on a limited basis during the election, but that there was no text communication, "nothing that I remember," before the primary election. FLORES stated that he did not think he saved any of said text messages. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that Ranger HOLLAND had begun receiving court ordered communication reference this investigation. FLORES then stated that he did communicate by text with TRAVIS, prior to the primary election. FLORES stated that toward the end of the race, "I supported ' him (TRAVIS)." FLORES stated that he began supporting TRAVIS approximately one month prior to the primary election. FLORES then stated that approximately one month prior to the primary election, he (FLORES) "filtered" texts to TRAVIS about PARKEY,

and that most of the texts were in reference to the BRAGG lawsuit against PARKEY and the Mental Health Unit.

F) Ranger HOLLAND asked FLORES to review his cellular phone to determine if he (FLORES) still had communication with TRAVIS on his (FLORES) cellular phone.

FLORES stated that he did still have communication from TRAVIS on his cellular

phone. FLORES then displayed to Ranger HOLLAND several text messages sent to and received from TRAVIS. Ranger HOLLAND asked FLORES if he (FLORES) would allow Ranger HOLLAND to "mirror" his (FLORES) cellular telephone. FLORES stated that he would provide communication from TRAVIS to Ranger HOLLAND, but that he (FLORES) would not allow Ranger HOLLAND to "mirror" his phone. Ranger HOLLAND requested FLORES to examine his communication from and to TRAVIS to ensure that TRAVIS did not offer him a position in the Sheriff's Office and that TRAVIS did not entice him (FLORES) to drop out of the race. FLORES stated he would review said

communication, and that he would provide said communication to Ranger HOLLAND, at a future date.

G) When questioned by Ranger HOLLAND about TRAVIS making any type of

statement to FLORES about dropping out of the race because FLORES' continued

involvement would force a run-off election, and cost TRAVIS more money, FLORES stated that prior to the primary TRAVIS had "joked" with him (FLORES) that FLORES' continued involvement "was going to cost him (TRAVIS) more money in the run-off."

At the conclusion of the interview, Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that he

(FLORES) was a witness and assured FLORES that he (FLORES) was not a subject of any type of criminal investigation. Ranger HOLLAND admonished FLORES not to mention his interview with Ranger HOLLAND to anyone and not to speak of any details of said interview to anyone. FLORES promised Ranger HOLLAND that he (FLORES) would not mention a word of the interview or Ranger HOLLAND'S investigation to anyone.

On 06-05-2013, at approximately 11 :00 AM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a retired law enforcement officer and current resident of Denton County. Said individual did not show to have a criminal history. Said individual stated the following:

A) A month or two following the primary election, said retired law enforcement officer had lunch with FLORES and Deputy Constable MINOFF at possibly McDonalds.

During said lunch, while MINOFF was present, FLORES told said individual that

TRAVIS had wanted him (FLORES) to drop out of the race and that TRAVIS said

"There would be a place" for him (FLORES), if FLORES would drop out of the election.

FLORES stated that TRAVIS made this offer because TRAVIS did not want the election

to go to a run-off. FLORES stated that in a conversation directly with TRAVIS, "TRAVIS tried to get me to drop out of the race. II

8) Said individual stated that he was "positive" that FLORES told him, in the presence of MINOFF, that TRAVIS stated to FLORES that FLORES would receive a position in the Sheriff's Office, if FLORES dropped out of the Sheriffs race. Said individual stated that FLORES would probably not be honest about the offer, because FLORES was trying to get TRAVIS' endorsement in his (FLORES) current campaign for Constable.

On 06-05-2013, at approximately 1 :30 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to Constable FLORES by telephone. FLORES stated that he (FLORES) had reviewed the text messages on his (FLORES) cellular phone to and from TRAVIS and that TRAVIS did not offer him a job or try to get him to drop out of the Sheriffs campaign. FLORES advised that when he (FLORES) reviewed his text messages to and from TRAVIS, he (FLORES) realized that he had deleted all messages to and from TRAVIS, prior to October of 2012. Ranger HOLLAND requested FLORES submit to a polygraph examination with the relevant question being whether or not TRAVIS offered him (FLORES) a position in the Sheriffs Office, if he (FLORES) dropped out of the Sheriffs race. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES that he (Ranger HOLLAND) could close that "chapter" of the investigation, if FLORES would take and pass the polygraph examination. Ranger HOLLAND again advised FLORES that he (FLORES) was a witness and not a target of the investigation. FLORES advised that he (FLORES) was

telling the truth and that he would have to think about taking a polygraph and speak with his attorney.

On 06-06-2013, at approximately 4:00 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to Constable FLORES by telephone. Constable FLORES advised that he would not speak to Ranger HOLLAND under advice of counsel and further advised that he would not submit to a polygraph examination. Constable FLORES advised that he would not allow Ranger HOLLAND to forensically examine his cellular telephone. Constable FLORES stated that Ranger HOLLAND was conducting a "witch hunt," and that he (FLORES) had done nothing but cooperate. Ranger HOLLAND asked Constable FLORES why he told Constable BURCH and Deputy MINOFF about Ranger HOLLAND'S investigation and why he told Deputy MINOFF that Ranger HOLLAND would be interviewing him.

Constable FLORES advised that he had a duty to tell Constable BURCH about the

investigation because it involved one of his men. Ranger HOLLAND reminded

Constable FLORES that he had given his (FLORES) word not to discuss Ranger

HOLLAND'S investigation with anyone. Ranger HOLLAND advised Constable FLORES that he would be forced to secure a search warrant for Constable FLORES' phone, if Constable FLORES refused to provide the requested information. Ranger HOLLAND advised Constable FLORES that a search warrant affidavit would be open to public record scrutiny, and that Ranger HOLLAND was trying to conduct a discrete investigation. Ranger HOLLAND advised Constable FLORES that he would be securing a search warrant for Constable FLORES' telephone and warned Constable FLORES not to delete or destroy any information on Constable FLORES' cellular telephone. Constable FLORES asked "Are you threatening me?" Ranger HOLLAND stated that he was not threatening Constable FLORES, but merely advising Constable FLORES that the information on his cellular phone was evidence in a criminal investigation and that there were criminal penalties for destroying or tampering with evidence. Ranger HOLLAND again reminded Constable FLORES that he was a witness and not a subject of said investigation. Constable FLORES refused to speak further, refused to submit to a polygraph examination, and refused to allow Ranger HOLLAND access to his (FLORES) cellular telephone.

On 06-06-2013, at approximately 8:54 PM, Ranger HOLLAND traveled to TRAVIS' residence in Argyle, Denton County, Texas. Ranger HOLLAND approached TRAVIS' front door and eventually made contact with TRAVIS. TRAVIS welcomed Ranger HOLLAND into his residence as he (TRAVIS) spoke on his cellular telephone. Ranger HOLLAND requested to speak to TRAVIS about matters that he (Ranger HOLLAND) was investigating in regard to TRAVIS, specifically an "e-mail" that was sent to Kevin BRAGG. Ranger HOLLAND displayed said "e-mail" to TRAVIS. TRAVIS stated the following:

A) TRAVIS stated that "You can't hire a person in the county" if they have a lawsuit against the county. TRAVIS stated "My only intent I guess I should have finished it (email to BRAGG) out. You can't get hired by the county unless ... if you have a lawsuit your done ... that was it that was my main deal there is no promise of a job." TRAVIS stated that BRAGG had sent an electronic message to another individual in which BRAGG told that person 'Will does not promise jobs."

B) TRAVIS stated "I wrote all this (the electronic message to BRAGG) ... you just can't hire anybody through our county if you have a lawsuit." Travis stated "He (BRAGG) never applied for the job."

C) TRAVIS stated he never made a job offer to FLORES and never propositioned

FLORES to drop out of the Sheriff's race.

D) TRAVIS stated his computer accounts were not hacked into. TRAVIS stated all the rumors about the "FBI" seizing his computers were just a rumor.

On 06-07-2013, at approximately 12:02 AM, Ranger HOLLAND met with BRAGG.

BRAGG stated Deputy Constable MINOFF told him that TRAVIS, MINOFF, and

FLORES had all met, prior to the primary election, at an I-Hop in Lewisville, Texas. BRAGG stated that MINOFF told him that during said meeting, TRAVIS offered both FLORES and MINOFF positions in the Denton County Sheriff's Office. BRAGG stated that he (BRAGG) later brought up said meeting to FLORES. BRAGG stated that FLORES told him TRAVIS said he (TRAVIS) would make FLORES a Captain at the Denton County Sheriff's Office, if FLORES dropped out of the race. BRAGG stated that FLORES told him that he (FLORES) told TRAVIS that he (FLORES) had too much invested and too many people backing him to drop out of the race.

On 06-10-2013, at approximately 9:10 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to Constable FLORES by telephone. Constable FLORES stated the following:

A) Constable FLORES felt it was important to advise Ranger HOLLAND that there were rumors that the Sheriff's position would be vacated. Constable FLORES advised that the Precinct Chair had told him (FLORES) that if TRAVIS' position was vacated, Constable FLORES would be offered an appointment to Sheriff.

B) Constable FLORES asked if he took the polygraph examination, would Ranger

HOLLAND agree not to forensically examine his (FLORES) cellular phone. Ranger HOLLAND advised FLORES, no. Constable FLORES advised he (FLORES) would have to talk to his wife because she would not be happy with him (FLORES).

(Constable FLORES made it evident that he did not want his cellular phone forensically examined).

C) Constable FLORES stated, that at this point, he thought he (FLORES) would submit to a polygraph examination, but that he was not sure and would have to think about it some more. Constable FLORES stated that he did not remember everything.

D) Constable FLORES stated "I'm gonna be shocked if I fail the polygraph

examination." Constable FLORES stated he was worried that if/when he (FLORES) failed the polygraph examination; "I don't want you to think I'm lying."

Several days later, Constable FLORES left a message on Ranger HOLLAND'S cellular phone that he (FLORES) was waiting to hear back from his attorney because he was trying to get his attorney to be present at the polygraph examination. To this date Constable FLORES has refused to submit to a polygraph examination, refused to allow Ranger HOLLAND to forensically examine his (FLORES) cellular telephone, and has failed to provide Ranger HOLLAND electronic communication sent to and received from Sheriff TRAVIS.

On 06-26-2013, at approximately 1 :00 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to BRAGG by telephone. BRAGG stated that he remembered, at a rodeo type function at TRAVIS' arena, being present and hearing TRAVIS offer FLORES the Sheriffs Department Public Information Officer Captain position. BRAGG stated he remembered FLORES stating that sounded good to him (FLORES). BRAGG believed said event was after the primary election, but prior to the general election.

On 07-01-2013, at approximately 2:00 PM, Company "B" Texas Ranger James B.

HOLLAND interviewed Denton County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Rex Dean

GEORGE, W/M, DOB: 08-24-1961, at the Decatur Ranger office. GEORGE stated the following:

A) TRAVIS told GEORGE, probably before the primary election, that he (TRAVIS) had run into BRAGG while at church. GEORGE advised TRAVIS "Be careful with that guy because he has a lawsuit against the county." GEORGE believed that TRAVIS may have known about BRAGG'S lawsuit prior to GEORGE advising TRAVIS. GEORGE stated that there was "no doubt" I told him (TRAVIS) about BRAGG'S lawsuit, at said time.

B) GEORGE had no further communication about the BRAGG lawsuit with TRAVIS, until several weeks after the primary election, around Mayor June of 2012.

C) In Mayor June of 2012, TRAVIS stated to GEORGE that he (TRAVIS) wanted to make BRAGG'S lawsuit "go away." GEORGE "adamantly" advised TRAVIS to

"runaway" from BRAGG. GEORGE told TRAVIS "It is not our lawsuit, let it go."

GEORGE was not sure why TRAVIS was so concerned with the BRAGG lawsuit, but believed that TRAVIS wanted a "clean slate" with no law suits when he (TRAVIS) entered office. GEORGE stated that he told TRAVIS that when he became Sheriff he would be sued and it was just the way things were. GEORGE stated that when TRAVIS said he would "like to see it (BRAGG'S lawsuit) go away," GEORGE adamantly advised him (TRAVIS) to stay away from BRAGG.

D) GEORGE stated he had no further communication with TRAVIS about the BRAGG lawsuit until he (GEORGE) observed the RAESZ' brief, sometime in February of 2013. GEORGE stated that TRAVIS was a "dumbass" for staying in contact with BRAGG, and that the electronic message TRAVIS sent to BRAGG was "stupid" and "non-sensical."

GEORGE stated that he was "surprised" TRAVIS sent said electronic message to

BRAGG.

On 07-02-2013, at approximately 2:04 PM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a Lewisville Police Department Officer, at the Lewisville Police Department. Said officer stated the following:

A) FLORES relayed to said Officer, in multiple conversations (prior to the primary

election), that FLORES would be going to work for TRAVIS at the Denton County

Sheriff's Office. FLORES told said Officer toward the end of the primary election, that he (FLORES) had no money to campaign, and that TRAVIS had told FLORES to drop out of the race and "go work for" TRAVIS at the Denton County Sheriff's Office.

B) FLORES relayed in multiple conversations (prior to the primary election) to said Officer that there was no doubt that he (FLORES) would be going to work for TRAVIS in January.

C) Prior to the primary election, FLORES spoke, almost on a daily basis, about going to work for TRAVIS at the Denton County Sheriffs Office.

D) Toward the end of the primary election, it was understood by FLORES that he

(FLORES) did not have a chance at winning the race, (relayed in multiple conversation with said Officer) so he (FLORES) turned his support toward TRAVIS.

E) Prior to the primary election, FLORES told said Officer that TRAVIS promised

FLORES a job. FLORES continually stated ''when Wil gets in there, he will give me a job, in January I'm gone."

G) Said officer described FLORES as someone that was not honest, and who would do anything to get where he (FLORES) wants to go.

H) Said officer stated that FLORES would be lying if he (FLORES) stated TRAVIS did not offer him a job.

On 07-02-2013, at approximately 2:41 PM, Ranger HOLLAND interviewed a second Lewisville Police Department Officer at the Lewisville Police Department. Said officer stated the following:

A) Said officer worked with FLORES at Lewisville Police Department. Approximately one (1) month prior to the primary election, FLORES began throwing his support behind TRAVIS. Weeks after the primary election, FLORES told said officer the following: "Wil told me he wants me in his administration," "I have a job at the Sheriffs Department, I'm going to be able to retire," "I'm going to the County."

8) Said officer stated that FLORES told him that once the (general) election was held, he (FLORES) would be hired by TRAVIS, and that he (FLORES) had been told that he would be hired, by 'WilL"

C) Said officer stated that FLORES would be lying if he (FLORES) stated TRAVIS did not offer him a job.

On 08-06-2013, at approximately 3:00 PM, Ranger HOLLAND spoke to the retired law enforcement officer he (Ranger HOLLAND) had interviewed on 06-05-2013. Said retired law enforcement officer stated that FLORES had questioned him if Ranger HOLLAND had interviewed him. Said retired officer stated he told FLORES that the Ranger had interviewed him. Said retired law enforcement officer stated FLORES questioned him as to what Ranger HOLLAND enquired about.

Affiant knows through training and experience that cellular telephones can send and receive text messages and that text messages sent and received on the cellular

telephone can be stored in the telephones memory. Affiant believes that text messages stored on suspected party's cellular telephone may concern conversations related to the enumerated offense(s).

Affiant knows from personal knowledge that cellular telephones can access the World Wide Web (internet) and allow the user to operate the cellular telephone as a hand held computer. In this mode of operation, not placing and receiving calls, the user can access email accounts, social media sites, instant messaging and browse the internet to make searches on a variety of topics. Affiant also knows that users can also manipulate stored data either on the cellular telephone or to web servers to access at a later time.

Affiant is familiar with programs referred to as "Apps". "Apps" are computer applications downloaded onto a cellular telephone which work in conjunction with a web server to allow images, and videos to be moved from the memory of a cellular telephone and stored to a designated website or "cloud" application. These "Apps" are accessible via the cellular telephone through a user name and password, which remain stored on the cellular telephone.

Affiant knows through training and experience that people utilize computers that access the World Wide Web (internet) to connect to others with like interest. This interest can be legal or illegal in nature, and through the computer an individual can remain somewhat anonymous in these activities. This allows individuals to become more empowered to conduct illegal business over such avenues. Affiant is aware that many illegal ventures have been started via a computer, utilizing direct contact (email), blogs (discussions sites) or social media. A computer used in this manner by an individual makes an act harder to discover by law enforcement due to the anonymity of the individual while on a computer. Often times evidence of these illegal acts are discovered after the act as taken place by retrieving computer files or programs that contain digital data detailing the crime. This data must be recovered by law enforcement through investigative analysis.

Wherefore, affiant asks for the issuance of a warrant that will authorize the search of said cellular telephone, (computer and said computer memory storage devices) as described above, to include any installed or accompanying hard disk drives, flash media, any other storage media, and any stored electronic communications as defined by Art. 18.20, Sec. 1 (15) and (20) pursuant to Art. 18.21, Sec. 1(1), Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The search of said computers and cellular telephone may include the examination of installed software; that is, digital information that can be interpreted by a computer and any of its related components, which may be stored in electronic, magnetic, optical, or other digital form. The search includes the examination of stored materials, media, documents, and data, including but not limited to: address books; recently called numbers; recently received numbers; digital images; and text messages.

The search may also include the examination and/or utilization of any manuals and

documentation which may be written, recorded, printed, and/or electronically stored material which explains or illustrates how to configure or use the computers, cellular telephone or other related items. The search may also include other areas of the computers and cellular telephone in which said suspected party may store data evidence which is the object of the search requested herein. Furthermore, said items can be analyzed by a trained evidence recovery specialist in order to retrieve, restore, and/or reproduce any or all information believed to be evidence of said offense(s).

Based upon affiant's knowledge, training, and experience, affiant knows that computers and cellular telephones and other electronic evidence that may not be readily accessible without proper equipment can be searched by personnel trained to conduct computer and cellular telephone evidence examinations. For this reason, affiant also requests authorization to transport said computers and cellular telephone, accompanying media containing software and data, and computer and cellular telephone related documentation, or duplicate copies of the data contained in each of these items, out of this county for complete and thorough examination by trained personnel in a controlled environment.

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME BY SAID AFFIANT ON THIS

THE 8th DAY OF August, 2013.