Shepherd businessman arrested; former football coach indicted
San Jacinto Newstimes - March 2008

COLDSPRING – Armed with indictments returned from the San Jacinto County Grand Jury, Texas Ranger Ron Duff arrested a Shepherd businessman Tuesday on three charges of Texas Water Code Violations. Arrested was Jeff Allan Searcy, 58, owner of J & L Recycling Corporation located on Hwy. 59 north of Shepherd.

Searcy was charged for the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, with fi nes and punishment ranging from $2,000 to $500,000 and up to 15 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ); for the unauthorized discharge of a waste or pollutant, with a range of punishment from $1,000 to $100,000 and up to fi ve years in TDCJ; and for violations relating to handling of used oil, with a range of punishment from $1,000 to $50,000 and up to fi ve years in TDCJ. J & L Recycling Corporation was also indicted on three charges: illegal disposal of hazardous waste, with fi nes ranging from $5,000 to $1million; with intentional or knowing unauthorized discharge of a waste or pollutant, with fi nes ranging from $1,000 to $250,000; and with violations relating to handling of used oil, with fi nes ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

Summonses were served on indictments pertaining to J & L Recycling Corporation, according to San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney Bill Burnett. The indictments came as a result of months of investigations during 2007 by Texas Parks and Wildlife, Department of Public Safety’s Auto Division and by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Burnett said. Prior to the 2007 investigations, Burnett said Searcy was cited by TCEQ in 2002 and again in 2004 on violations. Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Beth Sewell set bond at $325,000. Teacher indicted Former Shepherd High School assistant football coach Ryan Ferguson, 35, was indicted on improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second degree felony, according to Burnett.

Burnett said evidence showed that Ferguson was sending sexual explicit text messages to an 18-year-old female high school student, a second degree felony with a two to 20 year prison sentence. Bond was set at $5,000 by Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Harris “Red” Blanchette. Ferguson’s resignation was accepted February 18, by members of the Shepherd Independent School Board following allegations fi led against him by the student. At that time, Shepherd Independent School District Superintendent Jeff Dozier said, “The matter is now in the hands of the State Board of Certifi cation.

Within seven days of the incident I have to fi le a report. At that point it’s up to them (State Board of Certifi cation). They will determine the severity of what has occurred and whether or not his certifi cation will be terminated. The district was quick to take action and at the same time provide due process for the accused. We acted as swiftly as the law requires while looking out for the best interest of our students.”