This interview was recorded at the Henderson County Justice Center with Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and Michael V. Hannigan.
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In this week's report, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse talks about shutting down three game rooms in the Mabank area and a construction theft case that points to the importance of law enforcement agencies working together.
I. Stats (:42)
Summary: There are currently 457 prisoners in the Henderson County Jail with 83 of those being contract inmates. The average for the year is 444, which is the highest it has ever been in the county.
Quote: "(The jail) is crowded and it sounds like it is that all throughout the state," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "Everybody is needing bed space right now. It sounds like county jails are full."
II. Game Rooms (1:32)
Summary: The Sheriff's Office worked with the Mabank Police Department on an investigation into illegal gambling at game rooms. The investigation resulted in search warrants being executed at three game rooms last Friday. There were eight people arrested with an arrest warrant pending for a ninth. In total, there were 28 charges including 10 felony charges. Law enforcement seized $50,000 in cash, two vehicles, and a firearm. There were two arrested for possession of suspected methamphetamine.
Quote: "These cases are very work intensive as far as putting all the pieces of the puzzle together," Sheriff Hillhouse said.
Remember: Game room operations take time because the machines themselves are not illegal. The Sheriff's Office charges these owners with engaging in organized criminal activity, a felony offense.
III. Construction Theft (8:19)
Summary: Last Friday, July 15, the Sheriff's Office received a call about a possible theft in progress outside of Gun Barrel City. Because deputies were not near the area, the Sheriff's Office contacted the Gun Barrel City Police Department. GBCPD sent out officers who caught and detained a suspect. After deputies arrived and investigated, they arrested the suspect for attempting to steal the metal from the construction site.
Quote: "I want to thank the Gun Barrel Police Department," Sheriff Hillhouse said. "They didn't have to go out there in the county to detain the individual, but because they did, and we worked so well together with the other agencies around, we were able to catch him."
