Rusk County Sheriff's Office

06/07/2026

On 6/5/2026 at 6:00pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a call of a two vehicle crash on Hwy. 79 East near CR 341 in the Chapman community. Information received by dispatch was that two people fled the scene of the crash on foot. DPS was able to locate and arrest the female near the scene. One male wasn’t located and is believed to be Derek Laningham.

On 6/6/2026 at 8:00am, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a resident located on CR 341and advised that a male subject was in his home. Before Deputies arrived, the suspect fled in an unknown direction. The caller advised that his car keys and clothing were stolen. It is unclear what the suspect is wearing. Deputies and Investigators searched the area on foot and side by side but were unable to locate him. The caller identified the suspect as Derek Laningham as the person that was in his home. He has a warrant for his arrest. Deputies will continue to search the area. If you see a suspicious person in this area, please call the Sheriff’s Office.

Johnwayne

06/05/2026

On June 2, 2026 the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens arrested fugitive from justice Dustin Aiken 37 of Kilgore on outstanding Rusk County Warrants for Evading Arrest with motor vehicle, Theft of property, Possession of Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1, and a federal detainer warrant for Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. At the time of arrest Aiken was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and a firearm. Aiken received additional on view charges for Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 , and Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. The arrest stemmed from a tip received by Texas Game Wardens that Aiken was trespassing on private property. The arrest occurred in a wooded area off of Rusk County Road 1114. Aiken is currently confined in the Rusk County Jail on bonds totaling one hundred and five thousand dollars ($105,000.00). Bonds were set by Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Jana Enloe. Aiken is currently a person of interest in other thefts currently being investigated by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

Our thanks to our Texas Game Wardens for their assistance!
Johnwayne

06/05/2026

***SCAMMERS***

We have received several calls from the community regarding scammers. These criminals are "spoofing" our number and telling people that they are form the Rusk County Sheriff's Office. They go on to say that they have warrants for their arrest for federal grand jury subpoena fail to appear. The scammers then say to clear up the warrant, the person the scammers called has to go to the next town over and get bit coin to pay off the warrants. These scammers even send you pictures like these on your cell phone to "prove to you" that they have the legal right to do this to you!

This Office or any other Sheriff's Office will NEVER call you about a warrant for failure to appear or any other warrant much less demand that you pay the warrant out using bit coin!

Please share this post to everyone you know!

Johnwayne

06/03/2026

On June 2, 2026, a traffic stop initiated by Patrol Shift D resulted in the seizure of approximately eleven (11) pounds of suspected co***ne. The traffic stop occurred at the intersection of State Highway 315 and Rusk County Farm to Market Road 95. The suspect vehicle was identified as rental vehicle with Florida registration. During a consensual search of suspect vehicle for contraband ,suspected co***ne was located concealed inside door panels of the vehicle. Vehicle operator and sole occupant of the vehicle identified as Jerry Williams 38 of Saint Louis Missouri was arrested at the scene and was charged with the criminal offense of Manufacture/ Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1, 400 grams or more which is a first degree felony punishable by up to 99 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institution Division. The approximate street value of the suspected co***ne seized is eighty thousand ($80,000.00) dollars. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Office was notified of the seizure and is currently working in conjunction with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation. Williams is currently confined in the Rusk County Jail on a two hundred and fifty thousand ($250.000.00) dollar bond set by Rusk County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge Jana Enloe.

Johnwayne

06/02/2026

On Sunday May 31, 2026 a follow up investigation into allegations of domestic violence, and cruelty to a livestock animal resulted in the arrest of Roberto Castro 34 of Kilgore. During investigation leads were developed that led to an evidentiary search warrant being obtained for the Roberto Castro residence located at 13305 County Road 117 North Kilgore, Rusk County, Texas. During warrant service Sheriff’s Office personnel seized a firearm, suspected ma*****na, and located an injured Lamancha breed domestic goat that had appeared to have been shot in the neck area. During investigation, video that was reported as sent from Roberto Castro to a family member was seized which depicted Roberto Castro firing multiple rounds from a handgun at a tethered domestic goat. Based upon audio that was attached with the video, Sheriff’s Office personnel believe that it was an intentional act to terrorize/abuse a family member that Roberto Castro was angry with. Further seized during the investigation was numerous text messages reported as being sent by Roberto Castro where Roberto Castro is making threats cause serious bodily injury and death to family members and threats to burn a domestic house cat. Town and Country Animal Hospital was notified while Investigators were on scene and the Lamancha breed goat received treatment for the injury and is currently in the case of Town and County. While conducting the investigation Patrol Shift A was able to locate Roberto Castro operating a vehicle. Evidence produced during the traffic stop led to Roberto Castro being arrested for the criminal offenses of Driving While Intoxicated and Driving While License Invalid.

On June 1, 2026 Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators obtained arrest warrants on Roberto Castro for Terroristic Threat Family Violence, Possession of Ma*****na, Unlawful Disclosure of Intimate Material, and Cruelty to Livestock Animal. Roberto Castro is currently confined in the Rusk County Jail where Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Jana Enloe set the following bonds:
(1) Driving While Intoxicated $ 3, 500.00
(2) Driving While License Invalid: $ 1,500.00
(3) Possession of Ma*****na : $ 3,000.00
(4) Terroristic Threat (Family Violence : $ 8,000.00
(5) Unlawful Disclosure of Intimate Material : $ 20,000.00
(6) Cruelty Livestock Animal : $ 20,000.00

The search warrant for the Roberto Castro residence was issued by Rusk County Court at Law Judge Chad Dean.

06/01/2026

On May 29th, the FBI released the results from Operation Soteria Shield with the results from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 91 Law Enforcement Agencies, including us went out and made arrests on 276 suspects listed on the picture below. We were proud to work with these agencies to protect our children. Our suspect was Christopher Smith for possession W/Intent to Distribute Child Po*******hy.

Johnwayne

06/01/2026

On Saturday May 30 at approximately 15:45 hours, the Sheriff's Office received a missing person call on Lake Cherokee. The caller advised that she couldn't find her 70 year old husband. Several units responded which were Lake Cherokee Patrol, Sheriff's Deputies, CID units, Elderville VFD, Longview Dive Team, and Texas Parks and Wildlife. A short time later, divers recovered the body of Kenton Brandon of Gladewater. The Sheriff gave the death notification to his wife who was in the lake house with family members. JP #1 was notified and Rader Funeral home was requested by Mrs. Brandon.

05/26/2026

On May 18th–22nd, Sergeant Adams and K-9 Tyson attended the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association’s Annual Conference and Training Seminar in Amarillo. The conference hosted more than 100 canine teams from across the country.

Throughout the week, Sergeant Adams and K-9 Tyson competed in both patrol and narcotics competitions. The team earned 1st Place in the Patrol Competition and was also awarded the “Freddie Bouillon Award” in recognition of the toughest dog in the competition.

Please help us congratulate this great team! We are very proud of them!

Johnwayne

05/21/2026

This organization is a great example of how partnerships grow and last! They have helped us with dogs and cockfighting cases for years. They have awesome organizational skills and a solid never give up attitude! If you are looking for an organization to donate to for animal cruelty investigations or assistance with rescue needs, they are the BEST!

Johnwayne

05/19/2026