H Published For Orange Countians By Orange Countians H
County Record TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 58 No. 54
Week of Wednesday, May 17, 2017
The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Former WO coach receives 10 years probation Debby Schamber For The Record
Carl Jacob Broussard, 54, a former West Orange assistant football coach, was sentenced to 10 years probation and fines totaling $10,000 for failing to stop and render aid after the 1993 Geo Prism he was driving struck and killed Ava Lewis, 25, and her 6-yearold daughter, LaMya Newhouse, as they were attempting to cross McArthur Drive in Orange about 8 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2015. The terms of the probation have yet to be determined. The probation department could make recommendations, but the final decision is up to the court. It was noted Broussard could receive some time in jail. If he fails to live up to the terms, he faces 10 years in prison. Broussard was indicted on second degree felony charges and could have faced up to 20 years in prison for each charge. Assistant District Attorney Mike Marion was seeking to stack the sentences and have the vehicle certified as a deadly weapon which
would have increased the number of years in prison. In March, Broussard appeared before Judge Buddie Broussard Hahn of the 260th District Court and pleaded guilty. He chose to be sentenced by Hahn instead of a jury trial. The hearing began with the playing of the 9-1-1 tape. Panicked screams were heard in the background as the caller informed dispatchers about the incident. The dispatcher replied help was on the way. First to take the stand was a witness at the scene, Neosha Weathers. She was a friend of Lewis and was at Hibbet Sports to pickup her boyfriend. She saw Lewis and her daughter walking across the parking lot and attempt to cross the street. “The car hit her and she splattered and the baby landed beside her,” Weathers said. Witnesses at the scene moved LaMya from the roadway so she would not be
struck by oncoming vehicles. Another witness at the scene, Keiasis Chatman, took the stand to testify to the events. Chatman said she was at Big Lots and had crossed the
parking lot. She saw Lewis and LaMya approaching McArthur Drive. Chatman began to cross the roadway when she heard a “boom” and saw their bodies flying through the air.
Chatman rushed to help and said LaMya was talking following the incident and “batting” her eyes while their was no response from Lewis. A short time later they were both declared dead.
Stephen Ward, detective sgt. with the Orange Police Department, investigated the incident. During his testimony he said the area was “exBROUSSARD Page 3A
Hughes garners 2017 Athena Award
Arrest made in Bearden kidnapping Debby Schamber For The Record
Arrests made in kidnapping of local attorney. Three arrests have been made in the kidnapping of a local attorney, Jim Sharon Bearden Jr. On the morning of Monday, May 8th, 2017, Bearden was awakened by two masked intruders. The suspects tied him up and removed several items from his home including guns and electronics. The suspects then forced Bearded into his own vehicle, which they stole from his driveway, and drove him to Port Arthur. Bearden was then forced to withdraw
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13
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cash from a bank. Afterwards he was released with his vehicle. Detectives from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division were able to identify the two suspects that entered the house, and a third suspect who was driving a vehicle and acted as a lookout. On Friday, May 12, 2017 Detectives located all three suspects in the City of Port Arthur. All three subjects confessed to the crime. Warrants were obtained on all three for Burglary of a Habitation, a 1st degree felony and they were placed in the Jefferson County Jail. They are expected to be transferred to the Orange County Jail today. The 3 were charged with a 1st degree Felony Burglary which carries a higher penalty than Kidnapping. Kidnapping has varying degrees of penalties, depending on the circumstances, but a Burglary where another felony is committed in the process is a definite 1st degree. All three suspects (listed below) are from Honduras and were determined to be undocumented immigrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed immigration detainers on them. German Adalid Borjas Benitez (12-10-97), Henrry Eduar Rivera Antunez (11-2599) and Erik Pogoada Bustillo (12-02-99) The Orange County Sheriff’s Office CID was assisted in this investigation by the Port Arthur Police Department; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office; the Orange County District Attorney’s Office; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Past winners surround Loretta Hughes of Jerry Hughes Realty, second from left on first row, after she was named winner of the 2017 Athena Award Tuesday morning. From front, left to right, they are Cecil Broom, Loretta Hughes, Gisela Houseman, Betty Harmon, Marcelle Adams; middle row, Beverly Perry, Debbie Hughes, Nancy Vincent, Jane Whitfield, Courtney Burch-Arkeen; back row, Mary McKenna, Beth Räch, Pam Scales Honeycutt.
Staff Report
For The Record
Loretta Hughes of Jerry Hughes Realty was named Orange County’s winner of the 2017 Athena Leadership Award Tuesday morning at the annual Athena breakfast held at the Brown Center. The event was emceed by Stephen Lee, CEO of First Financial Bank, which spon-
sored the breakfast. The Athena Award is presented to a woman – or man – who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The award was inspired by the Greek goddess known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment, all
qualities embodied in the Athena Leadership model. The Athena Award was presented in 1993 for the first time in Orange County. The award was sponsored by Stephen Lee’s father, Bennis Lee, and was presented to Pam Scales Crew (Honeycutt). At that time this award was offered only to women but eligibility has since changed to accept nominations for men
who’ve helped women achieve their goals. As of now, no men in Orange County have been presented the Athena Award. Every year nominations are accepted for this award prior to the awards presentation. Entries may be turned in at the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, First Financial Bank, or Steirman Whitfield CPA.
Aven: Former pro from WOS gives back Dave Rogers
For The Record
Not many folks remember Bruce Aven as a speedy sophomore running back on West Orange-Stark’s 1987 state champion football team. Before he wrapped up his WOS career two years later, he was All-District running back and defensive end for the Mustangs. Baseball is what Bruce Aven is best known for, though, and Saturday’s induction into the Lamar University Baseball Hall of Fame confirmed it. “Coach [Jim] Gilligan came back to coach at Lamar my sophomore year and we had some good seasons in 1993 and 1994,” Aven recalls. Aven, one of Lamar’s most decorated hitters, was among the first five voted into the La- Orange native Bruce Aven, second from left, joins Kevin Millar, left, David Bernsen and Rick Nesloney mar University Baseball Play- prior to throwing first pitches after they were inducted into the Lamar University Baseball Players Asers Association Hall of Fame. sociation Hall of Fame prior to Saturday’s game at Lamar. Others inductees honored Millar, a Los Angeles native championship squad in 1993 “Kevin Millar and I played at Vincent-Beck Stadium in who played at Lamar during and again, during their Major together in college and we Beaumont prior to Lamar’s the 1992 and 1993 seasons, League Baseball careers, on ended up playing again with May 13 game against Stephen was a member of the 2004 the 1999 Florida Marlins. the 1999 Florida Marlins,” F. Austin State included for- “Reverse the Curse” Boston That 1999 season proved to Aven said. “We were the 3-4 mer Cardinal hurlers Harold Red Sox World Series champi- be the best season of Aven’s hole hitters for Lamar and the Kincaid (1967-68), David Ber- ons and hosts a daily show on 10-year professional baseball Florida Marlins.” nsen (1969-72) and Rick Nes- MLB TV. career. He hit .297 in 137 A four-year letterman for loney (1976-77), and Aven’s He and Aven teamed on a games, with 12 home runs and 1993 Lamar teammate, Kevin 44-18 Sun Belt Conference 70 RBIs. AVEN Page 3A Millar.
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