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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Kane sentenced on Border Patrol shootout charges
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
Sentencing was scheduled for noon today in Midland for a 21-year-old
man who shot at a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Valentine in November,
and who was later found to be wanted on a murder charge out of Nevada.
Sentencing for Shaun Michael Kane was scheduled before U.S. District
Court Judge Lucius D. Bunton in Midland. Because of illness, Bunton was
unable to make the trip today to Pecos, where the sentencing normally would
be held.
Jeff Parras, Assistant United States Attorney from the Western District
successfully prosecuted the case and said it is expected that Mr. Kane
will serve up to 20 years on the federal charge.
Kane pled guilty to several federal counts after he was arrested following
an early-morning manhunt on November 22, 1999. He was charged with attempting
to kill at a Border Patrol agents who encountered the suspect overnight
near the Aerostat balloon site, south of U.S. 90 and seven miles east of
Valentine.
Marfa Police Chief Oscar Carrillo first encountered the man on Nov.
20, after a registration check on the 1996 Dodge Ram pick-up came back
as a stolen vehicle from Lamb County. Kane led Carrillo on a high-speed
chase that ended when he crashed through a fence south of Marfa on U.S.
67. A search by Border Patrol agents, Presidio County Sheriff's deputies,
Department of Public Safety troopers and Marfa Police Offices was called
off after nearly three hours when the man could not be located.
When Border Patrol agents near the Aerostat site encountered Kane two
days later, he fled on foot and was pursued for about a mile and a half
through an open pasture. The suspect then stopped, pulled out a handgun
and began firing at one of the agents, who returned fire before the suspect
again fled. Neither was injured in the exchange.
Deputies from Jeff Davis and Presidio counties, along with Department
of Public Safety troopers, Marfa police, U.S. Customs Service agents and
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens contained Kane until Border Patrol
air and ground tracking operations were implemented after daybreak. A DPS
helicopter was called in about 4 a.m. to help in locating Kane, who was
captured after sunrise.
Kane initially identified himself to authorities as Brian Lee Taylor,
which delayed a background check by law enforcement officials. Once his
real identity was known, records showed he was wanted on an outstanding
warrant for a murder in Nevada that occurred on Nov. 12, 1999.
Kane was charged with the murder of Guillermo Cortez in Wendover, Nev.,
on the Utah state line 115 miles west of Salt Lake City. Wendover police
Chief Richard Weighall said Kane was identified from photographs police
found in a camera he left behind after the Nov. 12 shooting.
He stole a car in Salt Lake City two days after the early-morning killing
of Cortez, who was shot twice in the head in what police believe was a
drug dispute
Kane also had a lengthy criminal background, including multiple arrests
for burglary, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting, grand
theft auto, possession of burglary tools, trespassing, possession of stolen
property and resisting a public officer, the FBI said after his arrest
near Valentine.
He was taken to Presidio County Jail and was held there on both state
and federal charges before being moved to Midland Kane has entered guilty
pleas to a series of federal charges, including an attempt to kill a federal
agent.
Weighall said following Kane's arrest that officials in Nevada will
take the murder case to court once the federal government concluded their
case against him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Checkpoint agents, court kept busy with drug cases
Activity along the border, both in the Big Bend area and around Sierra
Blanca, is keeping both U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. District Court
officials in Pecos busy.
U.S. Magistrate Stuart Platt was scheduled to handle 68 arraignments
today in Pecos Federal Court, along with hearing three felony pleas and
two preliminary examination and detention hearings. Most of the cases to
be heard are on either drug possession or illegal entry charges.
Meanwhile, the Marfa Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol nearly 900 pounds
of marijuana worth an estimated value of $720,000 has been seized in March
alone.
In Alpine the drug seizure figures are nearly as large as down along
the Border, veteran Border Patrol Agents note that the drugs are being
pushed up from the main roads leading north from the Big Bend National
Park. For the month of March nearly 700 pounds of marijuana with an estimated
value of over $560,000 have been confiscated and turned over to the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration.
At the Sierra Blanca border checkpoint on Interstate 10, over 200 lbs
of marijuana worth an estimated value of $160,000 have been seized during
the first two weeks of March.
Agents also report seizing a load of over 16 lbs of PCP, a dangerous
illegal drug was seized off a bus at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint Monday
morning. The estimated value of the PCP was $150,000.
The Patrol Agent in Charge for the Marfa Sector, Manny Padilla said
his agents often receive credible information from community members and
that the level of cooperation between the local, state, county and federal
agencies has a lot to do with the success of his station.
"Drug smugglers continue to probe our sector looking for weak points,
that is, where our agents are either not present or patrol operations are
not readily apparent but the Border Patrol operates in many areas and we
have a significant presence in key areas that will allow us to apprehend
not only narcotics smugglers but alien smugglers as well".
Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Scott Baker said in a prepared statement.
Lions, Rotary seek help with `Trash-Off' project
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
Volunteers are being sought by members of the Pecos Rotary and Lions
clubs to help with this Saturday's Great Pecos Trash-Off project.
The Lions and Rotary clubs are working on a Pecos Beautification Project
2000 which the Trash-Off is part of, according to Lions Club member Michael
Benavides, who also serves on the beautification committee. He said the
event would run from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday at several sites around
town.
"We'll meet at 8 a.m. at Maxey Park for a group discussion," Benavides
said. "We'll decide what areas each group will be going to, and what areas
need to be concentrated on the most."
He said after the crews spend about 3½ hours at the sites, a
hamburger and hot dog lunch would be held for volunteers back at Maxey
Park on Saturday afternoon.
"We encourage all civic, church and school organizations to get involved
to help clean-up Pecos," Benavides said.
Rotary and Lions club members presented plans for their Pecos Beautification
Project 2000 to the city council earlier this year. Along with the Trash-Off
on Saturday, the groups hope purchase trash cans for high-traffic areas
in the city.
Mia Griffin of the Rotary Club told the council that the Great Texas
Trash off is scheduled for April 1. The statewide project encourages a
general clean up of public and private areas.
Since many local citizens will be involved with the state event, Griffin
said that The Great Pecos Trash off was being schedule for this Saturday.
"The committee will choose three or four of the worst locations in Pecos
and between the Rotary and Lions Clubs, we will clean these areas up,"
she said.
For further information about Saturday's event, call 445-9111.
LL sets coaches, managers meeting for Saragosa Hall
The Pecos Little League will be holding a meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at
Saragosa Hall, according to league official Lee Serrano.
All coaches and managers for Little League, as well as Junior League
and Senior League teams, need to attend the meeting, Serrano said. Little
League play will begin in April, with Junior and Senior League teams opening
their schedules later this spring.
PHA to discuss purchasing new ranges for apartments
The Pecos Housing Authority board of directors will update their 1998 CIAP
project and discuss/approve the purchase of 95 30-inch oven ranges for
PHA apartments during their regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday
at the PHA Administration Office, located at 600 Meadowbrook Drive.
Under new business, board members will review the evaluation of Executive
Director Nellie Gomez for fiscal year 1999 during an executive session.
In open session, board members will discuss/approve:
-The opening of a proposal for audit for fiscal year ending Dec. 31,
1999.
-The PHA's management operation certification HUD 50072
-To purchase a certificate of deposit from the general account fund
-Employees' merit increases for fiscal year 2000
In the Farm Labor Housing portion of the meeting, board members will
discuss a unit by unit inspection by the Rural Development Service Center
Staff on Feb. 23 and 24.
In other business, board members will discuss/approve:
-Repairs needed and cost estimates on vacant apartments
-A report on audit of financial statements for 12 months of fiscal year
(April 1, 1998 to March 31, 1999)
The board will also approve the minutes for the meeting of Jan. 27,
2000 and acknowledge no quorum for meetings scheduled for March 2 and March
7, 2000.
Pecos Valley Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any information leading to the
arrest of the individuals responsible for a local burglary.
One Jan. 19, Pecos Police Officers responded to Ernie's Smoke Shop,
711 W. Third St., in reference to a burglary of a business.
Upon arrival, officers were advised that sometime during the night individual
or individuals had pried open a locked door to a store room.
Once the subjects gained access into the storeroom a small opening on
the sheet rock was made with an unknown object. The individuals then reached
through the sheet rock and took approximately four cartons of cigarettes
and a Marlboro dummy display.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime, including
narcotics is urged to call Crime Stoppers, at 445-9898 and they will remain
anonymous.
Obituaries
Margie Deishler
Margie Deishler, 67, of Pecos, died Monday, March 20, 2000, at the Reeves
County Hospital.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at the Pecos
Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J.E. McCormick officiating. Burial will be
in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.
She was born May 19, 1932, in Wellington, was a homemaker and a member
of the Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include her husband, Frank Deishler of Pecos; two sons, Paul
Deishler of Pecos and Ben Deishler of Barstow; one daughter, Sue Evans
of Pecos; one brother, Jim Ashing of Odessa and six grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Edward Fellabaum
Edward "Eddie" Fellabaum, Sr., of Balmorhea, 81, died Monday, March 20,
2000, at the Alpine Valley Care Center in Alpine.
Graveside services were held at 4 p.m., today at Balmorhea Cemetery
with Rev. Ernie Vineyard officiating.
He was born Dec. 22, 1918, in San Marical, N.M., was a retired truck
driver and a Methodist.
Survivors include one son, Edward Allen "Butch" Fellabaum, Jr. of Salado;
three daughters, Sharon Jae Lippe of Fort Daivs, Billie Jo Curry and Jean
Gober of Pecos; three brothers, George Fellabaum of Florida, Joe Fellabaum
of Las Cruces, N.M., and John Fellabaum of El Paso; one sister, Betty Gilmore
of El Paso; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pecos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lotto Results
AUSTIN (AP) - Results of the Cash 5 drawing Monday night: Winning numbers
drawn: 15-21-24-33-34. Number matching five of five: 0. Matching four of
five: 217. Prize: $878.
***
AUSTIN (AP) - The winning Pick 3 numbers drawn Monday by the Texas Lottery,
in order: 1-4-0 (one, four, zero)
Police Report
EDITOR'S NOTE: Information contained in the Police Report is
obtained from reports filed by the Pecos Police Department, Reeves County
Sheriff's Office, or other officers of those agencies.
The serving of warrants by an officer for outstanding fines of either
traffic citations, animal control violations or other court costs are considered
arrests and will be printed as such unless indicated that the fines were
paid. In such instances we will indicate payment and release.
***
A male juvenile was arrested at 1:33 a.m., on March 10, in the 1700
block of West Fourth Street, on a curfew violation.
***
Sonia Rodriguez, 26, was arrested at 1:54 p.m., on March 10, in the
2100 block of Wyoming Street, on DPS warrants.
***
Javier Hernandez, 23, was arrested at 3:40 p.m., on March 10, in the
500 block of South Oak Street, on a warrant for assault under Class `A'.
***
Geno Joe Millan was arrested at 12:01 a.m., on March 11, in the 1400
block of Eddy Street, on DPS warrants. He paid the fines and was released.
***
Catarino B. Orona, 17, was arrested at 7:34 a.m., on March 11, in the
500 block of Walnut Street, on a warrant for engaging in organized crime
and a warrant for aggravated robbery.
***
Jose Alberto Barreno Jr., 17, was arrested at 8:03 a.m., on March 11,
in the 1100 block of South Cherry Street, on a warrant for engaging in
organized crime and a warrant for aggravated robbery.
***
A male juvenile was arrested at 7:23 p.m., on March 11, in the 1500
block of West Fourth Street, as a minor in possession.
***
Gregorio Barrera, 37, was arrested at 2:41 p.m., on March 12, in the
1100 block of South Ash Street, on a warrant for theft under $1500.
***
Julio Vislar Jr., 30, was arrested at 4 p.m., on March 12, on I-10,
for driving while license suspended.
***
Gilbert Chavez, 27, was arrested at 6:39 p.m., on March 12, in the 400
block of Mulberry Street, on a warrant for burglary of a building.
***
Jose Adame, 19, was arrested at 8:08 p.m., on March 12, at the corner
of Sixth and Mesquite streets, for assault under the Family Violence Act
and evading detention.
***
Dominique Franco, 25, was arrested at 9:23 p.m., on March 12, in the
400 block of South Park Street, for criminal trespass.
***
Manuel Levario Diaz, 38, was arrested at 4:22 p.m., on March 13, at
Reeves County Jail, on a warrant for aggravated robbery.
***
Julian Olivas, 45, was arrested at 6:25 p.m., on March 13, at Highway
17 and Locker Road, on a DWI refusal.
***
Willie Collins, 41, was arrested at 10:45 a.m., on March 14, at Anchor
West, on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana)
and a warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia.
***
Jorge M. Armendariz, 22, was arrested at 2:53 a.m., on March 15, in
the 1600 block of West Fifth Street, for public intoxication.
***
Eric Salcido, 18, was arrested at 8:17 a.m., on March 15, in the 800
block of Eddy Street, on a warrant for engaging in organized crime and
a warrant for aggravated robbery.
***
Elizabeth Lopez was arrested at 4:46 p.m., on March 15, at Highway 17
and Locker Road, on DPS warrants. She paid the fines and was released.
***
Juan Rodriguez, 45, was arrested at 5:53 p.m., on March 15, in the 1000
block of South Walnut Street, for assault causing bodily injury under Class
`C'.
***
Ester Marquez, 39, was arrested at 9:07 p.m., on March 15, in the 800
block of East Second Street, for public intoxication.
Weather
High Monday 86. Low this morning 50. Forecast for tonight: Mostly cloudy
with a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms: A few severe. Low
45-50. East wind 10-20 mph. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent
chance of showers or thunderstorms. High in the mid 70s. South wind 10-20
mph. Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Low 45-50.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2000 by Pecos Enterprise
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