Felon Takes Fourteen and Ten for Meth and Body Armor

On February 2, 2010, Richard Ray Simpson, 51, of Palestine, plead guilty to a second degree felony and a third degree felony before District Judge Pam Foster Fletcher in the Anderson County District Court. Simpson agreed to fourteen years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) between four and two-hundred grams (second degree felony) and ten years confinement in TDCJ for unlawful possession of metal or body armor by a felon (third degree felony).

According to sheriff office reports, on January 23, 2009, Deputy John Wright followed a vehicle leaving the Palestine Schulman Dogwood 6 Theater. Deputy Wright believed Simpson, who had an outstanding warrant for probation violation out of Freestone County, was the vehicle's driver. Simpson was on probation for manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance.

The vehicle stopped at a home known by law enforcement to be Simpson's residence. Here, Deputy Wright identified the man as Richard Simpson and arrested him.

Following the arrest, Sharon Simpson, the defendant's wife, gave verbal consent for officers to enter the residence where Sgt. Bryan Chason found illegal contraband. Sgt. Chason therefore requested, and was granted, a warrant to search the home.

Investigator Chris Dobbs, Sheriff Greg Taylor, Captain Tommy Bar, and Sgt. Chason conducted the search while Deputy Wright and Sgt. Gary Wilbanks cataloged and secured the evidence. The search revealed a large sum of cash, several "meth pipes", plastic baggies containing crystal residue, and a bullet proof vest.

Assistant District Attorney, Stanley Sokolowski, represented the state while local attorney, Mr. Larry Coker, represented the defendant.