Sunday, May 5, 2024
Hood County Republican Party Chair Steve Biggers was placed under arrest Friday, April 19 for allegedly tampering with a government record — a third degree felony.
According to the probable cause affidavit, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by Biggers bearing a Texas one trip permit April 17. The permit, which had been lawfully issued, stated the vehicle trip would originate in Tyler with a destination of Granbury. By law, the permit was to last no longer than 15 days or once the vehicle reached its destination. During an investigation, law enforcement discovered Biggers had used the vehicle in Hood County at least six times for personal use, after its arrival in Hood County.
Consequently, Biggers was cited for unauthorized/improper use of a temp tag, violation of special use provisions-school bus and operating a vehicle without required inspection, along with a warning for an improperly placed temp tag. The temp tags for the vehicle were confiscated by the HCSO.
Reportedly, later that same day, Biggers appeared at the Hood County Vehicle Registration Office, where he submitted an application indicating he had not previously received a citation for violating the registration laws of the state of Texas. From the alleged false information provided by Biggers, a second temporary registration was issued.
According to a complaint submitted by Deputy Michael Harris and approved by Justice of the Peace Roger “Cotton” Howell, Harris had been advised by a source that Biggers had secured the new temporary plates. Upon investigation — including viewing the video of the Hood County Vehicle Registration Office showing Biggers conducting the transaction — a complaint was filed.
The Hood County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies conducted a traffic stop/warrant service in the 1700 block of Weatherford Highway on the afternoon of Friday, April 19. The driver, Biggers, was placed under arrest pursuant to a warrant alleging he entered false information on a government record to obtain a temporary vehicle registration from the Hood County Vehicle Registration Office.
The vehicle involved in each of the incidents outlined above is the “No School Bond” bus, which Biggers has utilized the past couple of weeks to engage and campaign with supporters and non supporters of the Granbury Independent School District bond.
According to the Hood County Sheriff Bond Report, Biggers was released from jail later the same day on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
People familiar with the process explained to the Hood County News that a personal recognizance bond, or PR bond, is a bond that allows the accused to be released from jail on the promise that they will appear in court on a certain future date. Biggers later posted on his personal Facebook page that Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Earl “Dub” Gillum had released him on the PR bond.
“The honorable Dub Gillum came to my rescue,” Biggers said on Facebook. “Like a hot knight in shining armor, my hero made it possible for me (who had been booked on a 3rd degree felony) to walk out of jail for $100.”
“Mr. Biggers is my neighbor,” Gillum said. “His family called me along with a few other people. I have personally known Mr. Biggers for the past five years through the Republican Club and Republican Club Executive Committee, which he is Chairman of. I will always help out my neighbors in Hood County.”
Gillum said although he was not the “on-call” JP, he has a “track record” of going to the jail if he is available when called, just as he is to sign warrants or mental commitments.
Once he was contacted to magistrate Biggers, Gillum said he contacted the on-call Justice of the Peace, Roger “Cotton” Howell, and let him know that he would be performing that duty.
According to an email from Admin Support Manager and Criminal Investigations Assistant Jodie McGuire, Gillum arraigned Biggers at approximately 6:45 p.m. April 19. He did not arraign anyone else that day.
“A bond is to ensure a defendant's appearance in court,” Gillum said. “It’s not a punishment. Mr. Biggers is well known in this community and an elected official. He is not a ‘flight risk.’” Gillum said Biggers’ charge is a nonviolent crime and that Biggers was trying to rectify the traffic offense.
In response to the arrest, Biggers publicly claimed on his Facebook page that the Hood County Sheriff’s office is corrupt. “Thank you, Sheriff Roger Deeds. NOW PEOPLE KNOW,” Biggers said on his page. “They know just how deep the corruption goes. And just how evil pervades Hood County. This good ‘ole boys’ network is alive and well if you’re willing to kiss the ring.” When the Hood County News asked Biggers exactly whose ring needed to be kissed and what specific information he had that such a “network” existed, he declined to comment.
Biggers also publicly posted a photo of Hood County Sgt. Joshua Lane, who was the arresting officer in his case. Biggers said Lane is a “fine, upstanding example of the corruption in Hood County.” When asked by the HCN what specific examples he had of Lane being corrupt, he declined to respond.
Biggers told the HCN he believes the Hood County Sheriff’s Office is “being weaponized by local politicians.” He also recently started a campaign on the Christian crowdfunding website, GiveSendGo, where he is asking for support in fighting against the HCSO.
“We have a campaign to defeat a 161,000-million-dollar bond for GISD,” the campaign states. “The efforts we are making are steam rolling over the ‘Yes’ people, so the Hood County Sheriff's Department has been weaponized to stop or interfere and slow momentum. A THIRD-DEGREE FELONY FOR A TRAFFIC STOP! I was booked into the Hood County jail, fingerprinted, photographed, and detained for six hours. IF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN DO THIS TO CITIZENS AND TRY TO MUZZLE THEM FOR EXPRESSING OPPOSING VIEWS, THEN OUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOMS ARE FINISHED!”
When asked by the HCN who had weaponized the HCSO against him and what specifically they had done to interfere with his campaign efforts, he declined to respond.
Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds responded to the statements on social media made by Biggers.
“My people work hard on everything they do and if we can help people and work with people we will,” he told the HCN. “Our job is to serve and protect the citizens of Hood County, but we must enforce the law. But if we can make contact and correct what is wrong, we will do it, but some do not listen and try to get around the system. We are fair and impartial, and we do not do anything for political reasons, but when something wrong is brought to our attention over and over, we must act. I have great employees that work hard every day to do what is right and to serve and protect everyone. I am proud to lead them serving Hood County.”
Gillum added that Biggers also has an attorney, who is addressing this issue with the county.
Like all criminal defendants, Bigger is presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Hood County News will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
