Parker County Sheriff's Office

09/02/2026

PRESS RELEASE

During the afternoon of September 1, 2026, a road-rage confrontation in northwest Parker County escalated into gunfire and an arrest.
Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier condemned the incident, calling road rage “needless and totally preventable” and reaffirming that public safety remains the Parker County Sheriff’s Office’s top priority.
According to Sergeant Shane Cartwright, Public Information Officer for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Deputies responded at approximately 2:24 p.m. to a residence in the Poolville area after the victim called 911 reporting the violent encounter.
Deputies determined that Thomas Earl Jones Jr., 30 years old, was driving on FM 920 when he allegedly drove in close proximity to the victim’s vehicle. After an apparent exchange of gestures, the victim drove to a residence in the Poolville area, with Jones following.
When the victim arrived and parked in a private driveway, Jones reportedly drove past the victim’s driveway, turned around, returned, stopped in front of the residence and yelled threats. Moments later, a gunshot was fired, striking the victim’s vehicle and passing through the windshield before breaking the rear glass.
The victim retrieved a handgun and fired several times toward Jones as he fled the scene. Neither Jones nor his vehicle was struck.
Shortly afterward, Weatherford Police officers stopped Jones near the 1800 block of Mineral Wells Highway. A search of his vehicle reportedly uncovered a disassembled 9mm handgun, with its components scattered throughout the vehicle.
During questioning, Jones allegedly admitted to following the victim, being at the residence, and firing the handgun. He reportedly told investigators he was angry and acknowledged that he should not have acted as he did.
Jones was arrested and booked into the Parker County Jail for the offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a second-degree felony. He remains in custody while awaiting arraignment. Bond has not been set at this time.

08/14/2026

Overture Home Care of Weatherford, TX. stopped by the Parker County Sheriff's Office to deliver some very delicious treats. Thank you Overture Home Care!!

07/25/2026

PRESS RELEASE

On July 16th, 2026, Parker County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a 911 call from an 86-year-old male subject stating someone just broke into his home and robbed him. Deputies and Investigators immediately responded to the residence located in central Parker County, first making sure the victim was safe before launching an investigation. Sheriff Russ Authier stated that criminals who target the elderly are the absolute worst kind. Sheriff Authier praised the quick response and thorough investigation of Sheriff’s Office Investigator Katherine Buononato, who quickly identified, located, and arrested the key suspect in this case.

Sergeant Shane Cartwright, Public Information Officer for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office explained that statements from the victim indicated this to be a home-invasion style break-in. The Victim told investigators that he heard someone banging on his back door announcing themselves as “Police”. When he opened the door, the suspect held a strobing flashlight in the victim’s face and then forced entry into the residence. The victim said it sounded like a female’s voice yelling at him, demanding money, or he was going to jail. The victim told investigators that he was struck by the suspect numerous times in both the arms and the chest before being placed into a choke hold. It was during the commotion of the assault that the victim was able to get a clear view of the suspect, recognizing her as Jacqueline Smith Johnson, a person the victim knew.

Based upon statements from the victim and evidence at the scene, it was determined that Johnson physically assaulted the victim, took $2,000.00 in cash from him, and then fled the residence. Investigator Buononato obtained a warrant for Johnson’s arrest alleging the offense of Aggravated Robbery-Elderly Person, a 1st degree felony. On July 20th, Buononato located and arrested Johnson without incident, and placed her in the Parker County jail where she was held on a $50,000.00 dollar bond.

06/30/2026

Public Health Notice – Confirmed Rabies Case

The Parker County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware of a confirmed Rabies case involving three dogs that were at one time located in Parker County. The Parker County Sheriff’s Office was notified on June 29th that on June 21st, three dogs were picked up by a good Samaritan near the 1100 block of Baker Road and brought to the Pet Hospital of Granbury for a routine vet check. It was during a quarantine period that one of the dogs began to exhibit signs and symptoms of Rabies. The dogs were thoroughly examined by a doctor of veterinarian medicine, tested for rabies, and the test results were positive. Currently all the dogs in question have been humanely euthanized.
We are sharing photos of the dogs to identify anyone who may have had contact with them while they were in Parker County. If you recognize these dogs and have had direct contact with them, particularly if you were bitten, scratched, or had contact with their saliva, please contact your healthcare provider and your local health department. Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects mammals, including pets, livestock, wildlife, and humans. While Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, prompt medical treatment after an exposure is highly effective at preventing illness.
To help protect yourself, your family, and your pets:
• Ensure all pets are current on their Rabies vaccinations.
• Avoid handling unfamiliar animals, especially wildlife or stray animals.
• Report animals exhibiting unusual behavior, aggression, disorientation, or illness.
• Seek immediate medical attention following any potential Rabies exposure.
Below is a photograph of the three dogs.

06/29/2026

06/22/2026

PRESS RELEASE

On June 21st, 2026, the Parker County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a gunshot victim at a private residence in Azle, northeast Parker County. Deputies responded to the scene where they quickly located the victim, an adult female, and immediately started lifesaving measures. Medic 71 and Fire Rescue arrived on scene and took over CPR and life saving measures but were unsuccessful. Sheriff Russ Authier said that the thoughts and prayers of the Sheriff’s Office are with the family and loved ones of this victim.
Sergeant Shane Cartwright, Public Information Officer for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, explained that Deputies learned very early in the investigation that the victim’s father, Charles Brooks, was responsible for the fatal gunshot. Statements from those involved indicated that a physical altercation had taken place between the victim and her mother while inside the residence. Mr. Brooks confessed to retrieving a handgun, loading it, and chambering a round before attempting to separate the two women. It was Mr. Brooks’ account that while attempting to separate the two women the gun was fired and the bullet struck the victim in the chest. Mr. Brooks was arrested for Murder, a First-Degree Felony, and transported to the Parker County Jail. Judge Kelvin Miles, Parker County Justice of the Peace for precinct one set Brooks’ bond at $2,000,000.00 dollars. Investigators from the Parker County Sheriff’s Office are continuing this investigation with the assistance of the Texas Rangers.

06/17/2026

PRESS RELEASE
On June 16th, 2026, Investigators with the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of Special Agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division conducted a search warrant for child po*******hy at a residence in Weatherford, Texas. Sheriff Russ Authier praised investigators for their work on this case and reiterated the importance of having strong working relationships with our agency partners. Sergeant Shane Cartwright, Public Information Officer for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office explained that Investigators initiated this investigation based on a cyber-tip they received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The cyber-tip indicated that an internet protocol address, commonly referred to as an “IP” address assigned to a router used for internet access at a Weatherford residence was sending and receiving known images of child po*******hy. During the ex*****on of the search warrant, Investigators learned that John Huffhines lived at the residence with his parents, and that he was solely responsible for the explicit material that was located and recovered. Investigators seized Huffhines’s personal computer, his cellular telephone, and several compact disks for further digital forensic examination. When Investigators viewed the contents of the compact disks they discovered hundreds of pictures of child po*******hy. Investigators also discovered that Huffhines possessed an artificial intelligence (AI) program that would allow him to alter photographs of others that had been posted on social media by removing their clothing, therefore depicting them to be n**e. Huffhines possessed numerous photos of people of all ages that he had altered and made n**e with this program. Huffhines provided Investigators with a full confession regarding his conduct. Huffhines was arrested without incident and placed in the Parker County Jail with bonds totaling $150,000.00 dollars.

06/16/2026

For our farmers and ranchers, stay up to date on the reporting of New World Screwworm from the USDA.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status/us-confirmed-cases-new-world

06/12/2026

🐾 Howdy from Myth Buster!

It’s time to bust a few career myths. 👇

06/04/2026

PRESS RELEASE
On May 18th, 2026, The Parker County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit (SCU) with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, and Fi****ms initiated an investigation from a tip regarding individuals from Parker County purchasing bulk fi****ms from an independent federal fi****ms license (FFL) holder. Sheriff Russ Authier stated that protecting the second amendment rights for legal gun owners will always remain a top priority of the Sheriff’s Office; however, in this instance, we deemed the information we received warranted prompt action from law enforcement.
Sergeant Shane Cartwright, Public Information Officer for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office explained that two (2) Parker County men worked together to purchase eleven (11) G***k pistols from an independent FFL fi****ms dealer located over 100 miles away. Yazan Wesley Adel, a Syrian born, naturalized US citizen, arranged for the purchase of the G***k pistols. Investigators learned that Adel had previously pled guilty to two (2) felony, and one (1) misdemeanor drug charge in Erath County and was sentenced to five (5) years’ probation on May 5th, 2023, therefore making it a criminal offense for Adel to purchase fi****ms while on felony probation. To elude law-enforcement, Adel enlisted the help of a long-time friend to complete all the FFL paperwork, accompany him to meet with the FFL dealer, and to facilitate the transfer of the eleven G***ks to his possession.
On May 28th, 2026, Investigators executed a search warrant at Adel’s residence in Weatherford and seized nearly $5,000.00 in U.S currency, an MP5 r***e, two (2) AR-15 style r***es, a .45 caliber semi-auto pistol, and two (2) 9mm pistols, miscellaneous gun parts, and fraudulent documents relating to the purchase of fi****ms. Investigators have recovered three (3) of the eleven (11) G***k pistols, thus far, and are actively looking for the remaining eight 8 G***ks.
Adel was arrested for the offense of Fi****ms Smuggling - Three (3) or More Fi****ms, a second-degree felony, and placed into the Parker County Jail with bonds totaling $ 100,000.00 dollars.