Palestine Police Department

📰PPD Seizes Over 100 Grams of M**h During Traffic Stop📰

Just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 6th, Palestine Police Sergeant A. Rodriguez performed a traffic stop on a 2011 Chevrolet truck on W. Oak near Evergreen. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jeff Griggs, 54, of Gilmer.

During the stop, Officers performed a search of the vehicle. During the search, Officers located a bag of suspected m**hamphetamine hidden in a box in the vehicle. The suspected m**h was field tested and tested positive for m**hamphetamine. The m**h weighed approximately 105 grams. Drug paraphernalia was also located in the vehicle.

Griggs was placed under arrest and transported to the Anderson County Jail, where he was booked for Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance PG 1 4grams to 200 grams.

For this and other press releases, go to our website at https://tinyurl.com/PalestinePoliceTx

Conviction and Sentencing Update

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Brandon Lee Sambrano was found guilty on two counts of Indecency with a Child and was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

This case was prosecuted by Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell and Assistant District Attorney Matt Preston. We appreciate the work of the prosecutors, investigators, and all who contributed to this case.

Cases involving children are among the most serious matters we handle. We are grateful that the victim in this case was heard, believed, and supported through the judicial process.

Joint Investigation Leads to 14 Arrests for M**hamphetamine and Weapon Trafficking

The Palestine Police Department conducted a joint investigation in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS), to address m**hamphetamine and gun trafficking in and around the Palestine area. Pursuant to these efforts, the following charges have been filed:

Joshua Joseph Ray, 37
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute M**hamphetamine
Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon
Unlawful Carrying Weapon with Felony Conviction

Hollis Shane Brown, 27
Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Savanna Nicholle Ryan, 31
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute M**hamphetamine
Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of M**hamphetamine
Aiding and Abetting
Use, Carrying, and Possession of Fi****ms During, in Relation to, and in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

Samuel Lee Hodge II, 38
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute M**hamphetamine
Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of M**hamphetamine
Aiding and Abetting

Marlon Wagner, 49
Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of M**hamphetamine
Aiding and Abetting

Ross McMorris III, 53
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute M**hamphetamine
Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of M**hamphetamine
Aiding and Abetting

Victor Dewayne Lyles, 46
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute M**hamphetamine
Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of M**hamphetamine
Aiding and Abetting
Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 < 1G

John Henry Bick, 49
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute M**hamphetamine
Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of M**hamphetamine
Aiding and Abetting
Manufacture / Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1>=4G

PPD Arrests Two for Street Racing-

Just before 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17th, PPD Officer W. White was patrolling the S. Loop near Palestine High School when he observed a gray Dodge Charger and a black Dodge Challenger racing.

The Officer attempted to stop the vehicles as they continued to race down the loop and found that they were traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The Challenger eventually pulled over and the driver was identified as Roostvelt Hernandez, 18, of Pearland, Tx. Hernandez was taken into custody without incident.

Officers located and stopped the Charger in the 1200 blk of E. Palestine Ave. The driver was identified as Anthony Ramos, 19, of Crockett, Tx. Ramos was taken into custody without incident.

Both subjects were transported to the Anderson County Jail and booked on charges of Racing on Highway.

PRESS RELEASE:

Just after 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 17th, PPD Officers K. Clowery and M. Peterson were patrolling near E. Spring and N. Sycamore when they observed a vehicle matching the description of one that had been reported stolen out of Jacksonville.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which then sped off. Officers pursued the vehicle, which attempted to turn north onto N. Church. The vehicle then struck the curb and became disabled.

Three male subjects then exited the car and fled on foot. Officers located and arrested two of the three suspects a short time later. The third suspect was taken into custody earlier today. All three suspects were 16 year old residents of Jacksonville.

While searching the vehicle, Officers located items stolen during a burglary of a local gun shop that had been reported Sunday morning. Officers also located a firearm inside of the vehicle that was stolen out of Houston.

All three suspects were transported to a juvenile detention facility and charged with the following

Engaging in organized criminal activity
Burglary of a building
Evading arrest/detention with vehicle
Evading arrest/detention
Theft of firearm
Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle

Identities of the suspects are being withheld due to age. The investigation is ongoing.

🚓 Click It or Ticket Enforcement Begins May 18 🚓

The Palestine Police Department wants to inform residents that additional traffic enforcement will begin on May 18 as part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

During this enforcement period, officers will conduct extra patrols in addition to regular patrol duties as part of Operation CIOT — Click It or Ticket. The goal of this initiative is to encourage seat belt use, reduce injuries, and help keep drivers and passengers safe on Palestine roadways.

Seat belts save lives. Before you drive, take a few seconds to buckle up and make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained.

Buckle Up. Stay Alive. Click It or Ticket.