DA Announces Convictions Week of January 27-31

Assault

Curran Andrew Watkins of Jefferson reached a plea agreement with Smoak on Tuesday of threatening family member Sharon Watkins, with imminent bodily injury with a deadly weapon. Curran threatened Sharon with a sling blade during the incident.

The agreement gives Curran 6 years Deferred Adjudication Probation, $1,500 fine, court costs and attorney’s fees, individual counseling, completion of an anger management course and must write an apology letter to the victim.

Deferred Adjudication Probation in Texas is a special kind of probation that gives the defendant the opportunity to keep their conviction off their criminal record. Following a plea of “guilty” or “no contest,” a judge may decide not to enter a finding of guilt, but instead place the defendant on Deferred Adjudication probation. Any violation of the terms of probation and the defendant voids the special probation and can be required to serve out the remainder of the term in jail.

Harassment of a Public Official

Misty Gale Gamble of Jefferson, was convicted on Wednesday of harassment of a public servant. Gamble spit on Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Alisha Riehl on April 6, 2018, while Riehl was attempted to arrest Gamble.

Gamble was sentenced to 5 years probation, court costs, 200 hours of Community Service, completion of an Anger Management course, completion of Drug Education course, and a substance evaluation. Gamble is also not allowed to operate a motorized vehicle, abstain from consumption of alcohol or drugs and must write an apology letter to Riehl and then read it in open court.

Marijuana

Historic Jefferson Railway owner Don Rainey, 75, pleaded guilty to possession to 50 pounds of a controlled substance, a 3rd Degree Felony in Texas, on Monday.

District Judge Robert Rolston accepted a plea agreement for Rainey and sentenced him to 8 years of Deferred Adjudication Probation, the standard amount of Community Service Hours (160), 50 additional Community Service Hours, court costs, reimbursement of the costs to test the marijuana ($180), a $5,000 fine, a substance abuse test, and enrollment in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous at the discretion of the probation officer.

Under the terms, any violation of probation can lead to Rainey serving 2-10 years in jail.

Other media outlets in the area had Rainey incorrectly sentenced to deferred probation and 8 years of community service.