Latest news with #KaufmanCounty
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Kaufman County Sheriff reveals details of around-the-clock manhunt for Trevor McEuen
How did accused murderer Trevor McEuen manage to evade law enforcement for nearly one month? CBS News Texas sat down with Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers on Tuesday to ask him about the arrest of McEuen and the manhunt. "We had checked every residence, everything that's in and around that area," Beavers said. "We have talked to them. Grandma somewhat worked with us, but she's told different stories." Authorities search for North Texas murder suspect who removed ankle monitor On May 5, McEuen cut off his ankle monitor before his jury trial was set to start. He was out on bond, accused of capital murder in the death of Aaron Martinez, who was shot and killed in May of 2023. Reporter Marissa Armas: A lot of people feel this response took too long, that the sheriff's office and other agencies didn't do their job? Kaufman County Sheriff's Office Beavers: I say, they don't know what we're doing behind the scenes. We had people working 24/7 around the clock with all these other agencies to try to do everything we can. McEuen caught at grandmother's home McEuen was found Monday hiding underneath his grandmother's home, east of Dallas. Beavers said they had previously checked the property. He said later they received intel that McEuen was still at the residence, so they got a warrant to search the home. "So, then we put a team on the ground inside, and that's when we found a hole in the closet that he had cut and got underneath the house," said Beavers. Kaufman County Sheriff's Office Armas: Do you think grandma knew? Beavers: In my opinion, I believe she knew 100%. Beaver said they're investigating to see who knew about his whereabouts and whether his family helped him. "We're still early in that investigation, and if we find out any of them are involved, we're going to file charges," Beavers said. "When you're trying to conceal somebody, you can do that pretty good, because you know we're coming. He didn't know what was coming that night, that's when we got the surprise on him." Beavers said they're trying to figure out what McEuen was doing in the days leading up to his arrest. He added that McEuen isn't cooperating with law enforcement. McEuen is being held without bond. His court date is set for August 4.
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Texas murder suspect Trevor McEuen caught after weeks on the run
A Texas capital murder suspect who was out on bond and failed to appear in court was captured Monday after a weeks-long manhunt for the fugitive. "Early this morning, fugitive Trevor McEuen was taken into custody," Kaufman County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook Monday, sharing a photo of a muddied and barefoot McEuen handcuffed in the backseat of a law enforcement vehicle. McEuen had been on the run since early May, when he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled the day his trial was scheduled to start in connection with the 2023 shooting of his neighbor, rancher and horse trainer Aaron Martinez. McEuen allegedly admitted to shooting and killing 35-year-old Martinez as the rancher sat in his truck outside his home. McEuen was held on $2 million bond. A judge declined to reduce that bond amount last May, and McEuen ultimately posted bond and was released in September with an ankle monitor, FOX 4 reported. He was taken back into custody after allegedly violating the terms of his release, but McEuen posted $2 million bond again in December and was released a second time. He is facing charges of capital murder by terror threat, murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Texas Department of Public Safety issued an additional warrant against McEuen on May 6 for arson of a habitation, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. When he cut off his ankle monitor, McEuen allegedly set fire to the home where he was staying in Van Zandt County before officers arrived. Gov. Greg Abbott has since cited the case when pushing for bail reform, including a state constitutional amendment that would require Texas judges to automatically deny bail for violent crimes, including murder. On May 15, Abbott said the award for information leading to McEuen's capture increased to $30,000, as he urged Texans to submit an anonymous tip to "help law enforcement apprehend this heinous criminal." The Republican governor said McEuen "is exactly why Texas must fix its broken and deadly bail system." The sheriff's office promised additional details about the circumstances of the arrest would be released later Monday morning.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Trevor McEuen, wanted for capital murder in Kaufman County, taken into police custody after weeks on the run
A man on Texas' 10 most wanted fugitives list has been taken into police custody. Trevor McEuen was taken into custody early Monday morning, according to the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office. KCSO posted a photo of McEuen on social media showing him in the back of a police vehicle, barefoot and covered in what appeared to be mud. KCSO said more information will be released. This story is developing. Check back for updates.
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
A fatal flood prompted Kaufman County dam repairs. Then, the federal government froze funding.
The rain that fell in October 2023 inundated Kaufman County. It was still dark when 23-year-old Angel McKnight took off to check on loved ones. The water had reached the top of a bridge along FM1390, and as she drove across it, a passing car sent a wave of water crashing toward her, sweeping her off the road. She called her aunt, Joy Collins. "She called me Mama. 'Mama, I'm stuck in a ditch,' and she asked me about a tow truck," said Joy Collins. "I told her, 'Baby, if you're stuck, get off the phone with me and call 911.'" That 911 call captured McKnight's final moments. "Okay, I'm trying to get out of the car. It's quite literally filling up as we speak… yeah, filling up…" she can be heard saying before the call abruptly disconnects. Her car had fallen into 12' high flood waters rushing through the hidden underpass below the bridge. She was one of two drivers who died in the floods that morning. Family members said it took nearly 12 hours to find her body. "I can't imagine the fear that she went through by herself,' said Joy Collins. Six months later, Kaufman County began work to replace a nearby dam. Rated "high hazard" by the state, the dam had been overwhelmed by the torrential rain and failed to hold back the flooding that claimed two lives that October. The $14 million renovation, though, is more than Kaufman County can afford, which is why it relies on federal and state funding. The US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service agreed to reimburse the county for 65% of the cost. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board agreed to cover the remaining 35%. In February, though, as work was already well underway, the NRCS announced it was suddenly "unable to make payments." The funding, it seems, had become a political target of the new White House administration. Money for the dam renovation had come from the $1 trillion authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a key piece of President Biden's domestic agenda. Trump administration pauses funds On President Trump's first day in office, he signed an executive order to "immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through… the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." "I thought maybe for a month or two they'd stop the payments, review and see that this is a critical infrastructure project, and then start back up," said Kaufman County Emergency Management Director Steve Howie. For months, he said, the state stepped in to cover the difference. By April, though, the TSSWCB reported it was owed $4,256,998 after it said the federal government "simply stopped paying the bills" for various infrastructure projects. It notified Kaufman County that if there was no resolution by May 31, it would need to find "other sources of funding" or "shut down the construction". "I'm thinking, this is nuts. They're putting people's lives in danger, and we can't be doing that," said Howie. Howie said the county would never have begun construction if it didn't think it had the funding secured to get the job done. "It's more dangerous now because literally the dam that was in place, even though it was high hazard, was not in any imminent state of breach," said Howie. "If we get into the heavy rainfall where we get six or more inches, this thing could overtop and going downstream that way, there's about 75 homes, between 125 and 160 people whose lives will be in danger." In mid-April, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to resume payments, and by early May, the state told us reimbursements had begun. Howie still worries that the funding could be jeopardized by federal spending cuts. The White House recently released a proposed budget that, among other things, calls for cancelling over $15 billion in what it calls "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act green new scam funds." "While I don't disagree with what they're trying to do to eliminate fraud and waste, they're not looking at the trickle down and what it's doing to the local jurisdictions," said Howie. "It seems like we're fighting an endless battle," said Joy Collins. "Something needs to happen so that nobody else loses their mother, father, brother, sister," Jamie Collins, McKnight's mother and Joy Collins' twin sister, said just after McKnight's death. Jamie Collins had terminal cancer and died last December, having spent the last year of her life looking for ways to improve FM1390. "Jamie was trying to get this safe for other people. Of course, it hurt her. That was her only daughter. She just did the best she could. In pain all the time," said younger sister, Danna Williams. The sisters still hope to see the problem resolved and said there's no sense withholding funds for a project that could save lives. "I hope nothing like this happens to your family member because of ignorance like this," said Joy Collins.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Reward totals $30K for fugitive North Texas murder suspect Trevor McEuen, Gov. Abbott says
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday announced a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Trevor McEuen, a capital murder suspect who skipped a May 5 court appearance, removed his ankle monitor, and fled his Van Zandt County home. Before fleeing, McEuen, 32, was scheduled to stand trial for the 2023 killing of Aaron Martinez, a 35-year-old man who had moved to Forney, in Kaufman County, to start a horse training ranch. Trevor McEuen Kaufman County North Texas fugitive added to list According to Abbott, McEuen has been added to the Texas Department of Public Safety's 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List. Authorities warn that McEuen is armed and dangerous and urge Texans not to attempt to apprehend him. The $30,000 reward, which Abbott announced, includes $10,000 from the Governor's Public Safety Office; $10,000 from Kaufman County Crime Stoppers, and $10,000 from the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office. McEuen threatened victim, family says Martinez's family told CBS News Texas that McEuen had previously threatened Martinez, fired at his property, and made racially charged remarks. Despite early warnings and police reports, Martinez did not pursue charges at the time. McEuen was initially arrested in May 2023, released on bond, and later indicted for capital murder in November 2023. After being released on a $1 million bond in September 2024, McEuen allegedly violated bond conditions by posting photos of Martinez and his relatives on Instagram. Manhunt intensifies for fugitive Last week, the manhunt for McEuen intensified with bounty hunters joining the search. Bail bond companies are under pressure, as they could be liable for over $2 million if McEuen isn't found within 10 months. CBS News Texas will provide updates as they become available.
