Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia has been pushing for changes, saying the system failed. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is issuing thousands of 5.5-ounce (155-gram) ankle . Police say he shot and killed a nurse and a case worker after a violent. I'm not sure there's other individuals looking at this information.". He had previously cut off his monitor after serving 80% of an eight-year prison sentence for an aggravated robbery conviction. Its an alternative to incarceration. January 4, 2023 | Austin, Texas Terms of Service apply. However, the belief that you can't shower or swim with an ankle monitor is nothing more than myth. Youll be charged with, Will you be eligible for a parole hearing soon? Intentionally cutting off an ankle monitor currently is an administrative violation, not a criminal offense. In a letter to Lt. Gov. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. Kelli covers public safety and the Dallas Police Department for The Dallas Morning News. arcadyan aw1000. That directive from Abbott specifically cited two cases from the Dallas area Nestor Hernandez and Zeric Jackson. Police say he shot and killed a nurse and a case worker after a violent argument with his girlfriend. It would likely harm those who have faulty monitors but are complying with orders, they said. When parole authorities depend on ankle monitors and monthly office visits for the supervision of parolees, in effect the parolees are not . In October, police said Hernandez walked into Methodist Hospital Dallas wearing an ankle monitor while out on parole. Dallas police chief Eddie Garcia has been critical of ankle monitors. Police agencies did not know from the warrant issued for Jose Rodriguez that he was on "SISP." Abbott's letter to Texas Lt. Gov. If you've been sentenced to jail for a crime and would like to the court to consider house arrest or other monitoring instead, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to help. I look forward to working with you to accomplish these changes and other legislative initiatives that will keep our fellow citizens safe.". CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas State legislators are trying to strengthen penalties for offenders who cut off or remove their ankle monitors, but local law . State officials did not revoke his parole. I can't believe those things are not already law and let's work together. The chief told lawmakers that the suspect was on federal probation and had cut off his ankle monitor in August. If you were granted GPS monitoring but later had it revoked, then consider reaching out to a defense attorney who can help you get the hearing youre entitled to. But it took three days for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to issue a warrant. Last month, the Governor directed the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)to investigate any lapses in the release and parole supervision of Nestor Hernandez and Zeric Jackson and submit a reportto the Office of the Governor. When all of that came out, I just thought to myself, you know, what were the last, best chances that we would have had to stop this violent murderer from killing these health care workers?What do you mean, if you cut off your ankle monitor, you don't immediately go back to jail. Decisions to grant parole and to put an offender on an ankle monitor as a condition of release are made by parole panels under the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, a body whose presiding officer reports directly to Gov. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. You can read more on the background of their cases here. By signing up you agree to ourTerms of ServiceandPrivacy Policy. The bills were inspired by a shooting that killed two healthcare workers at Methodist Dallas Medical Center in October. Their murders outraged the community, police and lawmakers wondered why Hernandez parole wasnt revoked. And, you can't have house arrest or (any kind of monitoring) without an ankle monitor. responsive: true, Remember house arrest and GPS monitoring are considered privileges. The cost of incarcerating a person far outweighs the cost of an ankle monitor and house arrest. Weeks after a gunman whom police identified as a parolee fatally shot two hospital workers in Oak Cliff, another parolee with a violent rap sheet allegedly killed a man in Lake Highlands, our colleague Kelli Smith reports. Youll be charged with violating your parole, and its very likely that the remainder of your sentence will get served behind bars. Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. The agencies noted that, under current state law, the act is an administrative violation and causes the immediate issuance of an arrest warrant, but is not criminal offense. There is a surprising number of individuals who are currently under house arrest. ). Nashville shooting victim Hallie Scruggs remembered at father's former North Texas church, Fort Worth middle school student arrested for bringing gun on campus, Apple unveils high-yield savings account for Apple Card holders, Tarrant County elections administrator resigns, citing dispute with Judge Tim O'Hare, Hartman goal in 2nd OT gives Wild 3-2 win over Stars in G1, Rangers blank Royals 4-0 after deGrom exits with sore wrist, Deadly weekend brings number of Dallas homicides to 90. A GPS device allows for the tracking and monitoring of a person's whereabouts. When KPRc2 asked for TDCJ records to show the lapsed time, we were told those records were not available to the public. The first suspect, Jose Gilberto Rodriguez (pictured above), is a convicted sex offender. Another type of alcohol monitoring system is the SCRAM bracelet or ankle alcohol monitor that the parent wears. Houston Public Media is supported with your gifts to the Houston Public Media Foundation and is licensed to the University of Houston. There is hope, though. DALLAS State Representative Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) filed legislation in response to the tragic October 2022 shooting at Methodist Hospital Dallas. Bryce Jones, a suspect in a 2021 shooting that killed three people, had been on the run since cutting off his ankle monitor late last month. The suspect, Nestor Hernandez, was on parole and wearing an ankle monitor when it happened. Like the overwhelming majority of health care facilities across Texas, Methodist Health System facilities are not impenetrable fortresses designed to prevent anyone intending to do harm from entering, he said. Schedule a consultation with parole attorney Greg Tsioros . container: "#DV-viewer-5635901-Paul-Gregory-Ramirez-warrant" 5 min read. When asked if he thought that was a good enough answer from the agency, Whitmire said, "I'm going to tell you one more time: nothing's good enough for me until we fix a multitude of criminal justice issues. Texas courtrooms are more likely to grant a house arrest for crimes like DWI or drug possession. It is time to place real consequences on individuals who remove their electronic monitoring privileges.. Learn more container: "#DV-viewer-5635900-Garry-Newman-Jenkins-warrant" Councilmembers prepare for briefing about APD, DPS partnership, Stick to trails to avoid poison ivy as it grows abundantly across Central Texas, Forecast: Rain chances return; trending warmer by midweek, read more on the background of their cases here, BPP and TDCJ responded to Abbott's request, What's a horned frog? Dan Blizzard, Methodist Health System vice president of strategic priorities, told lawmakers at the Tuesday hearing that five months ago, Hernandez took advantage of the hospitals atmosphere as a welcoming environment. Garca pointed to a shooting last weekend. What have you heard from your colleagues on the other side of the aisle in reference to this?]. On July 14, Allie Barrow was found dead in the the back of the Mattress Firm store where she worked at The Commons Shopping Center on West FM 1960. If he was on the ankle monitor as a condition of parole or probation, taking the monitor off, will result in his parole or probation being revoked, and him being placed in custody. Some court systems charge on a sliding scale based on income and ability to pay. The TDCJ said its Parole Division has designated a team of administrators to conduct unannounced field audits to ensure compliance. These two devices are similar but not exactly the same. It was crazy. Youll have a curfew, and, You dont have a long history of offenses, Remember house arrest and GPS monitoring are considered privileges. Currently, there are no criminal consequences for a parolee cutting off an ankle monitor. Dan Patrick tenure Texas Higher Education Texas Legislature. Eyewitness News has learned that murder spree suspect, Jose Gilberto Rodriguez, removed his ankle monitor on July 5, 2018. Learn everything you need to know about GPS monitoring for parole sentences below. Pokuaa was shot when she went into the room to provide routine patient services, Garca has said. The traditional ankle bracelet is a radio frequency electronic monitoring device that will immediately transmit a signal to the parole officer when it goes outside of a specific area. Our neighborhoods impacted by violence, and my officers, yearn for accountability. Greg Abbott on Monday ordered two state criminal justice agencies to investigate whether lapses occurred on their watch after two Dallas parolees with ankle monitors were accused of . For many first-time and non-violent offenders, jail is not the right sentence. Gov. The governor must act. State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, told KPRC2 Investigates he got the same answer we did. Jackson, who had been denied parole four times, was eventually released under the states Super-Intensive Supervision Program, our newspaper reported. Dallas police arrested 48 people who had ankle monitors from 2021 to 2023 35 had their monitors, 11 had removed them and two had covered their monitors with foil, Garca said. He referenced a handful of cases in Texas that involved people with ankle monitors. Anchia said the bills are a way to try and prevent something like this from happening again. I would compare it to police catching a Child Molester with a victim, in his house, with no one else present, before something happened. Example video title will go here for this video. While Hernandez is charged with capital murder in the hospital workers' deaths, a new law would make it a third-degree felony to assault any hospital employee. Multiple people, six or more sources say, pulled guns and opened fire in the 2021 shooting. Hartman goal in 2nd OT gives Wild 3-2 win over Stars in G1, North Texas inmate accused of punching pregnant hospital worker, killing her unborn child, authorities say, DFW Weather: Warm temps continue, storm chances return, lack of accountability is costing us lives, exclusive interview with WFAA in February, Court documents: Man indicted by grand jury for killing 2 employees in October Dallas hospital shooting, They do not work: Deadly Dallas shootings, including at a hospital, put spotlight on lax ankle monitoring, Former girlfriend of Nestor Hernandez, Methodist Hospital shooter, speaks to WFAA. Edward Magana (L), Allie Barrow (C), Pamela Johnson (R). Sixteen local law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff's offices from Harris, Montgomery, Galveston and Waller counties, the HPD, Texas City Police Department, Galveston Police Department and Harris County Constables Precinct's 3, 6 and 8 have formed a coalition. But something is clearly broken about how parole decisions are made regarding the most violent offenders. Ankle monitors don't just track where you are and where you go. That's TDJC's Super-Intensive Supervision Program for offenders with convictions for violent crimes such as sexual assault, murder and indecency with a child. Now its Dallas County that has been clobbered by back-to-back tragedies involving suspects who were parolees out on ankle monitors. All of these actions will show the court that youre willing and able to reintegrate into society. You know, the fact that none of my colleagues nor I knew that this was not the law already is also a problem where we're going to try to remedy that this session. Resources like these are made possible by the generosity of our community of donors, foundations, and corporate partners. [Steven:Did it shock you to find out that this wasn't just an isolated incident about an offender who had an ankle monitor and cutting it off and then committing a crime?]. Texas Gov. TV shows and movies often show a person with an ankle monitor showering with one leg stuck outside of the shower. Ankle monitors are waterproof, while the level of water-resistance can vary. TDCJ's findings also noted that Hernandez's parole officer "did not properly document interactions in the record or elevate the sanctions as required through the graduated sanctions model." The next month, the agencies released a report that said two employees of the states criminal justice system were recommended for termination and others were disciplined. Like that. Before his most recent arrest, the report says he had a history of cutting off his ankle monitors. Prior to the incident police say Hernandez cut off his ankle monitor and had 3 other violations yet his parole was not revoked. If the parole officer can't make contact with the parolee, an arrest warrant can be issued. About two weeks later, a different parolee with an ankle monitor was accused of gunning down a 39-year-old man in Lake Highlands. The brute force approach is just to use shears or a knife to sever the band that secures the monitor to the ankle. I think first and foremost, we need to look at individuals' criminal history and the crimes they have committed to see if they would even qualify to have an ankle monitor, said Garcia. Garry Newman Jenkins warrant (Text). Paris Hilton had one. Hernandez had permission from his parole officer to be at the hospital but no one told hospital police he would be there. Greg Abbott has called for legislative action to create criminal penalties for parolees who've cut off their ankle monitors. Paul Gregory Ramirez warrant (Text). 2. Police have said Hernandez accused his girlfriend of cheating on him, pulled a gun from his pants and began to hit her with it while their newborn was in the room. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The real problem with GPS ankle monitors, whether used for pre-trial, probation or parole, all seem to center on the supervising officers and the equipment, said Jennifer Toon, a criminal justice and mental health advocate who is also a project director at Lioness Justice Impacted Womens Alliance. I dont know why he did it, and I kept asking him, 'Why did you do this? pay for the cost of the monitor and a daily use fee, putting ankle monitors on truant students, Cook County, Ill., to Monitor Juvie Probationers 24/7. Even though the monitors won't die, the signal may be weaker or blocked completely. What exactly is electronic monitoring, and what does it consist of? This fee ranges anywhere from $5 to $25 a day. TDCJ's investigation also found warranted disciplinary action for five other people who either "supervised Hernandez or were in supervisory positions." Another proposed law would change that -- it's called the Jacqueline Pokuaa and Katie Annette Flowers Act. The day of the crime, Cadwell's family says she called police multiple times saying she felt threatened by Ramirez. Rep. Rafael Anchia: It's tragic that we had to learn about the fact that if you cut off your ankle monitor your parole is not revoked because two health care workers at a Methodist Hospital were murdered in the heart of the community that I represent. One of those occurred just two weeks after the Methodist shooting when Zeric Jackson, another parolee with an ankle monitor in Dallas, was accused of fatally shooting 39-year-old Brian Dillard in Lake Highlands. I have Republican joint authors that are ready to go on the ankle monitor bill.