Staff Reports

A Tyler man was sentenced Thursday to 78 months in federal prison on child pornography charges, according to a press release from U.S. District Attorney John M. Bales.

Frederick Baxter, 53, pleaded guilty to an information on Jan. 13, 2009, charging him with possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

Baxter also agreed to forfeit all interest in his seized computers.

At sentencing, a victim's statement was read into the record, explaining the impact of the distribution of images of the victim's sexual exploitation on the victim's life.

According to information presented in court, on Aug. 14, 2008, a federal search warrant was executed at Baxter's residence during which a personal computer was seized.

A forensic examination revealed visual depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which had been downloaded using a file sharing software program.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

More information on the project may be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Longview Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Baldwin.

Arrests by Marshall Police Department

Aris Dean Hilburn, 51, 1903 Rosborough Springs Road, Marshall, MPD warrant for deadly conduct, 8:03 a.m., Wednesday.

Patricia Nicole Hallmark, 26, 2275 N. Franklin St., Hallsville, MPD warrant for speeding and failure to maintain financial responsibility, third or more offense, 10:14 a.m., Wednesday.

Julie Ann Cohen, 44, 150 Sherwood Place, Karnack, no rear license plate displayed, driving while license invalid, and failure to maintain financial responsibility, second offense, 5 p.m., Wednesday.

Lenell Chat Mitchell, 42, 2101 Norwood St., Marshall, MPD warrant for theft under $50, 5:03 p.m., Wednesday.

Arrests by Harrison County Sheriff's Office

Curtis Charles Higgs, 613 Buchanan St., Longview, affidavit of incarceration for possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone, Wednesday.

Elliot Barnett Dawson, 716 Sam Hall Road, Hallsville, Dallas County warrant for violation of probation for possession of a controlled substance, Wednesday.

Kendrick Washington, 1602 East Fannin St., Marshall, affidavit of incarceration for resisting arrest search or transport and criminal trespass, Wednesday.

Francis James, Jr., 1306 Julie St., Marshall, affidavit of incarceration for resist arrest search or transport and criminal trespass, Wednesday.

Steven Wayne Hooker, 1008 3rd St., Longview, affidavit of incarceration for driving while intoxicated, Wednesday.

Lanell Chadler Mitchell, 2101 Norwood St., Marshall, public intoxication, Wednesday.

Incidents reported to Harrison County Sheriff's Office

Assault/kidnapping: Waskom. A woman was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend and taken to another location, Wednesday.

Theft: Marshall. A four wheeler was stolen, Thursday.

Burglary of a building: Marshall. A building was broken into, Wednesday.

Cruelty to animals: Hallsville. Someone was not taking care of horses, Wednesday.

Arrests by Waskom Police Department

Wesley Carl Blevins, 3107 Cresswell Ave., Shreveport, La., Victoria County warrant for theft of property, Wednesday.

Arrests by Hallsville Police Department

Crystal Gail Smith, 14256 State Highway 154, Harleton, theft by check, Wednesday.

Jail Population

As of 4:36 p.m. Thursday, there were 168 inmates in the custody of Harrison County Jail. The local facility has a capacity of 164 with the remainder housed in Gregg County.