Newton County Sheriff's Report

September 15, 2025

Pursuit – Fugitive Arrest:

On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Sheriff Colton Havard conducted a traffic stop on a Cadillac Sedan on State Highway 87, just south of the U.S. 190 intersection in the City of Newton, for a traffic violation. The driver, identified as James William Woods Jr., fled from the stop, initiating a vehicle pursuit around the City of Newton before law enforcement lost sight of him.

While officers searched the area, Woods was later spotted operating a four-wheeler. Law enforcement attempted to stop him, but Woods fled once again, leading officers on another pursuit. After approximately fifteen minutes, law enforcement lost sight of Woods. During the search, it was determined that Woods was wanted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Pardon and Parole for a parole violation (Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant).

Following an extensive search, Woods was apprehended this morning at an apartment complex in Jasper, Texas, by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the Jasper Police Department, and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. Woods was extremely combative toward officers and was ultimately transported to the Jasper County Jail.

Sheriff Havard extends his appreciation to the Newton Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety CID, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Jasper Police Department. Each agency played a vital role in the investigation and the apprehension of Woods.

Newton County S.O. Investigates Shooting – Makes Arrest:

On Friday, September 12, 2025, at 7:23 a.m., the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call regarding a shooting off County Road 4393 in the Sandjack community. Deputies and first responders arrived on scene and immediately began performing life-saving measures on the victim, identified as Brandon Diggles. Deputies initiated an investigation and quickly identified the suspect as Diggles’ stepfather, Ernest Ray Keyes.

During the course of the investigation, deputies gathered evidence and presented it to Justice of the Peace Michael Greer, who issued an arrest warrant on Keyes for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Family Violence). Keyes was subsequently arrested and booked into the Newton County Jail on the charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Calls for Service:

We answered 72 calls for service last week and booked 6 individuals into the Newton County Jail.  We currently have 19 inmates housed in the following facilities: 6 in Beauregard Parish, 6 in Jasper, and 7 in Newton.

Thought for the Week:

Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams.