Sheriff destroys wrong crop

Former Texas police chief arrested
Jan-20-07

CLARKSVILLE — During a traffic stop in Bogata, Texas, former Clarksville police chief Jimmie Lee Townsend was arrested Wednesday on outstanding warrants charging him with aggravated sexual assault.

Townsend, 52, is being held under a $750,000 bond in the aggravated sexual assault case and for a police violation in an unrelated case.

The former chief's arrest last Wednesday stems from an investigation by the Red River County Sheriff's Department.

Red River County Sheriff Terry Reed would not comment on the sexual assault charges.

"Due to the nature of the offense and the fact that the investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to release any further information, "  Reed said.

The parole violation is related to an earlier felony theft conviction that is awaiting final action in the 6th Appellate District of Texas at Bowie County.

Prosecutors say the former chief took a laptop computer from Clarksville Police Department's evidence room.

Townsend, who was serving as Clarksville's police chief, was arrested in May of 2004 by Texas Department of Public Safety officers on charges that stemmed from an investigation into items missing from the Clarksville Police Department's evidence locker. Townsend was accused of taking a computer confiscated during a 2002 identity theft investigation.

Townsend was convicted in May 2005 of theft by a public servant of property valued at $1,500 or more, but less than $20,000. He was sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division and fined $2,000 for the theft.

He was terminated as police chief by the Clarksville City Council in the same year.

Recently Appeals Court Justice Jack Carter, reversed the lower court's decision, saying the evidence was legally insufficient to support the conviction and that the state failed to prove the computer was valued at $1,500 or more.

"The evidence does not show the fair market value of the computer, even when brand new, exceeded the minimum amount to make the offense a third-degree felony," the memorandum states.

Red River County prosecutors quickly filed an appeal of the decision to reverse the conviction, arguing the appeals court should simply ask the lower court for a re-sentencing rather than reversing the conviction.