This interview was recorded Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Henderson County Justice Center.
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It was a very busy week for the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. This week, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse talks about opening up visitation at the jail, the annual jail inspection, a burglary arrest, helping Cherokee County, multiple drug arrests, and visiting the kids at Noah's Ark Christian Academy.
I. Stats/Jail (:31)
There are currently 434 in custody with 101 of those being out-of-county inmates.
Visitation resumed at the jail this week thanks to there being zero cases of COVID-19.
"Jail visitation is now opened back up on its regular days," Sheriff Hillhouse said.
The Sheriff's Office also received a visit from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards for the annual inspection. This inspection is unscheduled and Henderson County officials never know when it is going to happen.
"Glad to say that once again we passed the jail inspection," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "I'm proud to report that this year is probably the best that we've done on our paperwork and our maintenance."
II. Burglary Arrest (4:10)
The Henderson County Sheriff's Office made quick work of a burglary case this week.
Early this week, a burglary in progress was reported on Highway 19 South. Deputies and Investigators responded and their investigation led to suspects at a residence trying to break into vehicles. Three were arrested and are currently in jail.
III. Cherokee County (5:30)
Henderson County assisted the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on a case involving multiple sexual assaults of a child spanning over 40 years. The crimes were committed in California before the suspect moved to Texas.
Cherokee County asked for Henderson County's Bearcat armored vehicle while making the arrest to ensure the safety of their deputies, so Sheriff Hillhouse sent the vehicle and a team to assist.
"It was down a really long driveway," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "We really felt that (the suspects) would know we were coming way before we got there."
"We were proud to assist them," he said.
You can learn more about this case from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office here.
IV. Drug Arrests (7:41)
Investigators and deputies have made multiple drug arrests this past week.
"(Deputy) Jonathan Barrios is just a hound out there that finds it all the time," Sheriff Hillhouse said.
V. Noah's Ark (8:55)
Sheriff Hillhouse and members of the Sheriff's Office have been at Noah's Ark Christian Academy in Malakoff the past couple of weeks visiting the children.
Two weeks ago, the sheriff was there for Farm Day and brought a miniature heifer and then this past week members of the Sheriff's Office were there for First Responders Day.
"I had fun when I was there two weeks ago. I know the guys who went last week had a lot of fun," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "We always enjoy going out there and building those relationships with those kids and just seeing them smile."
After recording this week’s podcast, the Sheriff’s Office conducted the successful search for and arrest of a fugitive and the return of a 15-year-old girl whose mother reported her missing.
“This is one of those really good days,” Sheriff Hillhouse said. “The deputies and all of us in the Sheriff’s Office are grateful this incident was resolved quickly by our entire team.”
