Police charge man with sexually assaulting child

A Mineral Wells man was arrested Monday on a warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

According to Mineral Wells investigators, Manuel DeJesus Silva, 21, was taken into custody in the 100 block of N.E. 9th Avenue during a traffic stop.

The alleged assault occurred inside Mineral Wells city limits in either March or April though it wasn’t reported until December, officials said. The alleged incident involved a child less than 14 years of age. Silva was reportedly a friend of the victim’s family.

According to Palo Pinto County jail records, Silva remained in custody Wednesday on with his bond set at $250,000 for the aggravated sexual assault charge and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

Narcotics, firearm found on felon
What began as a traffic stop in Mineral Wells early Thursday morning finished with the arrest of a 19-year-old Mineral Wells man on several charges, including possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to police reports, an officer observed a 1996 Toyota four door accelerating at a high rate of speed in the 300 block of Betham Road. The officer reportedly stopped the driver in the 3000 block of N.E. 2nd Street and upon approaching the vehicle, allegedly recognized the driver as Ricardo Martinez Renteria.

The officer reported a strong smell of burned marijuana in the car. Renteria was placed into custody for not having a driver’s license. In the vehicle, the officer observed a shotgun in the back seat as well as narcotics – a plastic bag containing a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana and a small Ziplock bag of a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine.

At the police station, they reportedly found a Ziplock bag on Renteria’s person containing three Clonazepam tablets. A criminal history revealed that Renteria was a felon on probation, officials said.

He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram, possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces, possession of a prohibited substance in a correctional facility, no driver’s license and no insurance.

Man charged with chunking contraband
A Murchison, Texas, man was taken into custody late Wednesday after he allegedly attempted to throw contraband over the fence at Corrections Corporation of America’s facility in the 700 block of Heintzelman Road.

Mineral Wells police were notified of the incident at 10:24 p.m. According to police reports, two CCA guards witnessed “several people” on the outside of the gate throwing plastic-wrapped bundles of tobacco over the fence. When the guards approached, the individuals reportedly ran though Steven Wade Richards, 35, was apprehended.

He allegedly claimed to be the look-out for the others and was found in possession of a bundle of Bugler tobacco. There was reportedly an assortment of cell phones and tobacco tossed over the fence. Richards was detained for contraband in a correctional facility.

Burglaries
• 100 block of S.W. 17th Street – A 1989 Chevrolet S-10 pickup was reported burglarized Monday morning with entry made by breaking in the driver’s side window. A Kenwood CD player valued at $200 was reported stolen.

• 1400 block of S.E. Veterans of Foreign War Street – A 2005 Dodge van was reported burglarized Monday morning with two bags of candy reported stolen. The vehicle’s doors were reportedly left open.

Arrests
The Mineral Wells Police Department reported making the following arrests:

• Loyd Wayne Garrett, 43, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Monday for possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance, no driver’s license and expired inspection.

• David Michael Holder, 53, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Monday on a MWPD warrant for unsightly property.

• Patrick Bryan Seaman, 30, of Weatherford, was arrested Monday for public intoxication.

• Cynthia Suzanne Smith, 28, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Wednesday on a MWPD warrant for forgery of a financial instrument.

• Jerry Dale Walker, 35, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Wednesday on a Palo Pinto County no bond warrant for possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces, a MWPD warrant for forgery of a financial instrument and evading arrest.

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