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ANDERSON – Randy Dwane Tomczak, 50, pled guilty Feb. 6, to Indecency with a Child by Contact and was sentenced to eight years in prison per a plea agreement.
The family of the victims chose not to go to a jury trial to prevent further traumatizing of their children.
Grimes County Sheriff’s Office took a report Nov. 10, 2019 of two teenage girls making an outcry against Tomczak. Both girls new Tomczak, having previously worked with him at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Over time, he built a friendship with the girls.
The initial report stated on a weekend in the fall of 2019, the victims were staying at a residence caring for animals for a friend while the friend was out of town. Tomczak was also at the residence.
Read more*Editor’s note – Article contains sensitive content that may not be suitable for all readers.
ANDERSON – A convicted child predator was sentenced to life in prison by a Grimes County Jury Feb. 2, for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
After hearing evidence for three days, the jury convicted Marcus Leshun Sargent, 40, of Navasota, for the sexual assault of a 2-year-old girl.
The sexual assault was reported to Child Protective Services (CPS) July 21, 2020. Navasota Police Investigator Jacob Tielke, along with CPS looked into the allegations.
Read moreAt the Feb. 1 Regular meeting of the Grimes County Commissioners Court, commissioners tabled two items related to the use of county buildings. The first was the Grimes County Historical Commission (GCHC) request to be allowed to use the old county clerk’s office for office space and storage. The second involved after-hours use of the historic courthouse for a wedding.
Read moreAt the Feb. 1 Regular Meeting of Grimes County Commissioners Court, 506th Judicial Judge Gary Chaney and Pct. 3 Constable Wes Male discussed the need to add a secure outside rest area to the jury room.
According to Male, security-wise, if jurors have to leave their secure area because their restrooms are full, to take a smoke break or for other reasons, they can become exposed to witnesses, victims, and families of both victims and defendants. Legally speaking, a juror approached by one of these individuals could prompt a mistrial.
Read moreSince 2014, the City of Navasota and the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (ACBV) have provided artists an opportunity to focus solely on their art as participants in the Navasota Artists in Residence (AIR) Program. The current resident artists, Sara Nevius and Siana Smith, are about to wrap up their six-month stay in Navasota but not before exhibiting their work at an open house Friday, Feb. 17. The hours of this free event at the Horlock House Art Gallery & History Museum, 1215 E. Washington Avenue are 4:30-6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Read more*Editor’s note – Article contains sensitive content that may not be suitable for all readers.
ANDERSON – A convicted child predator was sentenced to life in prison by a Grimes County Jury Feb. 2, for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
Read moreA Navasota woman was electrocuted after her vehicle hydroplaned just before noon Tuesday.
Read moreNavasota Police Department earned top awards at the annual Grimes County Crime Stoppers Banquet. GC Crime Stoppers is celebrating their 40th anniversary. Marla Gurka (pictured left) was presented with the Meritorious Service Award and Travis Mullins (pictured right) earned Officer of the Year. Both winners were nominated by Navasota Police Chief Mike Mize (center).
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