Two Defendants Sentenced in Federal Court, One under Federal Prosecution

One local defendant is facing federal prosecution on a variety of charges while two other defendants were sentenced in Lubbock Federal court.

Elizabeth Gonzales of Levelland was prosecuted by a federal grand jury in November on charges of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm for use in the furtherance of a crime. The charges were all part of an August 30th search warrant executed by DPS in Hockley County.

Two additional defendants, Delores Clevenger and Martin Gaona were sentenced in Lubbock federal court recently. Gaona was charged with Felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 21 months in a federal prison and with three years supervised release. Clevenger was sentenced to 30 months in a federal prison with two years supervised release on a charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. These charges were based on a 2018 DPS Investigation in Hockley County.

Texas DPS Investigating Accident, Levelland Woman Suffers Serious Injuries

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers reported a serious traffic accident early Thursday morning near Reese Center on Highway 114.

DPS reports that a Levelland woman was leaving Lubbock headed home on west highway 114 around 3:00 am Thursday morning when her vehicle veered off the road. Troopers said the vehicle was not located until after 7:30 am Thursday morning in a field. The female driver was found to have life threatening injuries and was transported to University Medical Center. Her name has not been released by DPS.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation of the Texas Department of Public Safety, however, they said it appears driver fatigue may have contributed to the accident.

Levelland ISD Served with Lawsuit in Deadly February Bus Accident

Levelland ISD announced late this afternoon, they were served with a lawsuit in the deadly February 2019 accident in Lubbock.

The family of Ginger Barnes has sued Levelland ISD. A Levelland ISD bus hit a pedestrian at approximately 6:30 am on 19th street west of Lubbock. It was reported at the time that the bus was carrying 15 students to an extracurricular event. No students were injured in the accident.

The lawsuit claims the driver of the bus was negligent in his operation of the bus and veered off the road onto the shoulder of the road striking and killing Ginger Barnes.

The lawsuit seeks over $100,000 in damages. Levelland ISD Superintendent Jeff Northern issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, stating “Levelland ISD is in the process of reviewing the claims, but does not comment on pending litigation.”

Texas DPS Continues Investigation in Weekend Accident

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers continue their investigation into a weekend accident which occurred in Smyer.

A DPS Public Information Officer has told KLVT News that a vehicle left the road and crashed into the former Smyer One Stop building Saturday morning around 1:45 am. The driver of the vehicle told officers at the scene that an animal was in the road and he swerved to miss it and crashed into the building doing heavy damage to the building. The driver, 18 year old Christopher Monroy of Lubbock was treated at UMC in Lubbock for minor injuries.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Levelland Police Investigate Criminal Mischief, Arrest Three

Levelland Police were called to the northwest corner of the Griffin Park in Levelland on Sunday.

Officers were notified of some damage to oil field equipment owned by Occidental located in the northwest corner of the park. A bystander witnessed the three suspects run from the area and was able to chase them to a nearby yard where the three jumped over the fence into the back yard of an off duty SPC Police Officer. The three suspects were detained while officers went to the park to meet with a representative of Occidental to look at damaged equipment. Company representatives reported damages estimated at approximately $1,800.

Officers arrested three suspects, including a juvenile. Caleb Fought, 18 and Isaiah Green, 18 and a 16 year old were all arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief greater than $750 and less than $2500. Both Fought and Green remain in the Hockley County Jail on a $1000 bond. The juvenile was released to his parents following processing.

Obituary: Carolyn Polasek, 81 of Ropesville

Funeral Services are scheduled for Carolyn Polasek, 81 of Ropesville. Services are set for 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 3rd in the Fifth Street Baptist Church in Levelland. Burial will follow in the Ropesville Cemetery. Visitation is set for Monday, December 2nd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Krestridge Funeral Home. She passed away on Thursday, November 28th. Services are under the direction of Krestridge Funeral Home.

Levelland Police Investigate Burglary of a Residence

Levelland police are investigating a home burglary in the 1000 block of College Avenue.

Police were called to the residence after the owner arrived home and found that her bathroom door was closed and locked from the inside and the heater fan was going. A neighbor helped the lady gain access to the bathroom, where it was noted that the light bulbs had been removed and set on the counter and they had also entered a closet and left a McDonalds coffee cup in the closet.

It was noted in the report that entry was made through a back door and the entire house had bee ransacked. The home was broken into between November 24th and November 26th. Police lifted fingerprints from the coffee cup and from the light bulbs. The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division for further investigation. No suspects was listed in the report.