VOTE411 Voter Guide

The most important responsibility of the Sheriff is to provide good leadership. The sheriff is the head of the office, sets the tone and operational tempo, must unite the troops around a cause and must lead from the front. The sheriff must share in the same dangers and sacrifices as the troops. Most any team, business or government entity will fail if not provided with good leadership. A sheriff's office is no different. In order to faithfully and effectively carry out the often dangerous and underappreciated duties required of them, the men and women of law enforcement must be provided with the training, mentoring and motivation necessary for them to do their job; to protect and to serve. Good Leadership is essential for success.

For 19 months I served as the Lavaca county JP. The prior 25 years I served as a Patrol Agent, Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent with U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). I have enforced and investigated and supervised other federal, state and local officials in the investigation of literally every criminal matter under Homeland Security. I was a member and supervisor of the HSI Special Response Team and the Rapid Response Team. I am a former U.S. Marine and Veteran of the Gulf War. I earned a degree in Spanish from UT. I grew up in Lavaca county and graduated from Moulton High School. I am married to my wife from Hallettsville for 36 years, have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

My prior 19 months as JP has clearly demonstrated the increase in the use of illegal drugs to be the most important issue for Lavaca county. I have witnessed firsthand methamphetamine and fentanyl overdoses in the county. 90% of all criminal activity has some connection to drugs. I will use my deep experience and success as a 25 year agent with Homeland Security Investigations in investigating and prosecuting organized criminal activity to aggressively pursue drug dealers in Lavaca county. I've used this same model of law enforcement over and over throughout my decades as a federal agent to successfully take down drug dealers and criminal organizations all over Texas and beyond. I will do the same as Sheriff of Lavaca county.

Maintaining the safety and security of the citizens of Lavaca County.

Currently serving my 20th year as Lavaca County Sheriff. I hold a Master Peace Officer and Master Jailer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

I have been a licensed peace officer for 40 years. I have worked as a dispatcher, jailer and patrol deputy. Also as a patrol sergeant.

I also served 7-1/2 years as a Justice of the Peace for Lavaca County Precinct One prior to being elected Sheriff in 2004.

I am serving as President of the Texas Sheriffs' Regional Alliance which encompasses 20 counties from South Texas to the Upper Texas Coast.

I serve on the Sheriffs' Association of Texas Legislative Committee and Jail Advisory Committee as well as the Texas Association of Texas Core Legislative Committee.

I will continue to serve the citizens of Lavaca County as I have for the past 20 years. All aspects of law enforcement are important and too numerous to address completely. However, the ongoing border crisis, drug trafficking and human smuggling are priorities. I have been continuously involved in border security issues. I have obtained over $500,000.00 in grant funds through the Operation Lone Star grant program to obtain needed equipment and overtime money for deputies to interdict drug and human smuggling. I also participate in the Crossroads HIDTA task force with a full time deputy assigned. Mental Health is another area of concern and I currently sit on the Gulf Bend Center LMHA Board of Directors to better address the MH crisis.

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