FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2009                                   PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/txe                         PHONE: (409) 839-2538 CELL: (409) 553-9881

FEDERAL GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS IN BEAUMONT

            BEAUMONT, TX—U.S. Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced that a federal grand jury has returned indictments today charging three men in separate cases of federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. 

            THOMAS LOUIS VAN HOOK, 55, and JAMES ALBERT HOPKINS, 61, both of Jasper, were indicted and each charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of Ammunition.  If convicted, Hook and Hopkins each face up to 10 years in federal prison.

            This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Michelle Englade.

           
            JAMES EDWARD WILLIAMS, 56, of Beaumont, has been indicted for theft of mail by a postal employee.  If convicted, Williams faces up to 5 years in federal prison.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Michelle Englade.

            It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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