Trinity County Sheriff’s Office-Texas

08/31/2026

UPDATE: CHELSEA HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFE!

We are happy to report that Chelsea Marie Guyer has been located and found safe.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone who shared the original post, provided information, and helped keep an eye out for Chelsea. We truly appreciate the support and assistance from our community.

08/31/2026

🌟🌟MISSING MAN🌟🌟
Joe Mastin Murray has not been seen since 11 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 30 at 907 Kurth Drive at Go Ye.
Murray is 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weights approximately 160 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.
He has dementia and is taking medication. Murray told his roommate he was going to “Freeway 59.” No one has seen or heard of his whereabouts since this morning.
If you see Mr. Murray, please contact Lufkin Police at 936-633-0356.

08/31/2026

TCSO ARREST REPORT
08/23/2026 – 08/29/2026

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests during the listed period. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

⸻

PRUCH, JOHN
• White, Male, Age: 66
• Arrested: 08/25/2026
• Charge:
– WARRANT 411 DISTRICT COURT 11923, MTRP, ORIGINAL OFFENCE THEFT >= 2500

08/30/2026

Please share!

🚨 MISSING PERSON – TRINITY COUNTY

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman who was last seen Friday in the Hawg Heaven Subdivision.

Chelsea Marie Guyer 34 years old.

At this time, it is unknown what she was last wearing. She is approximately six months pregnant and has medical conditions that require prescribed medications.

If you have seen her or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

936-642-1424
Please share this information to help bring her home safely.

08/26/2026

A Friendly Hurricane Season Reminder: Prepare, Don’t Panic

We are now entering the busiest part of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Atlantic known as Invest 96L. It is moving westward, but it is still far too early to know whether it will develop or where it may eventually go.

There is no reason to panic or rush to the store. This system may never affect us at all. However, it is a good reminder that hurricane season is here, and other systems could follow behind it.

Now is the time to make a few small preparations while supplies are available:

• Pick up a case of water and a few extra nonperishable food items
• Safely fill and store an extra gas can
• Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank from getting too low
• Check flashlights, batteries, weather radios, and phone chargers
• Refill necessary medications
• Have food, water, and supplies ready for pets
• Check generators and never operate one inside a home, garage, or enclosed area
• Make sure important documents and insurance information are protected
• Trim problem limbs and begin securing loose outdoor items
• Know where you would go if evacuation ever became necessary

You do not have to purchase everything at once. Picking up a few items during each trip to the store can help you prepare without putting a strain on your budget. It also helps prevent the last-minute rush that empties shelves when a storm enters the Gulf.

We are not telling anyone that a hurricane is headed toward Trinity County. We are simply reminding everyone that preparation is much easier before a storm becomes a threat.

Stay calm, stay informed, and follow updates from the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service, and your local emergency officials. It never hurts to be prepared.

Sheriff Woody Wallace
Trinity County Sheriff’s Office

08/26/2026

TCSO ARREST REPORT
08/16/2026 – 08/22/2026

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests during the listed period. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

⸻

Clayton Parish
• White, Male, Age: 24
• Arrested: 08/18/2026
• Charges:
– TCSO WNO 260266 Continuous Violence against family (F3)
– TCSO WNO 260321 Continuous Violence Against Family (F3)
– HOUSTON CO WARRANT #3739 FOR ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE CAUSES BODILY INJURY (MA)

Ricky Miller
• Black, Male, Age: 64
• Arrested: 08/18/2026
• Charges:
– 411th District Court Ordered Commitment

Jalen Lewis
• Black, Male, Age: 26
• Arrested: 08/18/2026
• Charges:
– FTA on org Theft Of Prop =$2,500 < $30,000 (SJF)

Julio Cesar Sandoval
• Hispanic, Male, Age: 37
• Arrested: 08/22/2026
• Charges:
– Theft of Firearm (SJF)

🔗 Visit the Trinity County Live Jail Roster:
https://www.co.trinity.tx.us/page/trinity.Sheriff.Inmates

The Trinity County Sheriff's Office remains committed to protecting our community and enforcing the laws of the State of Texas.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

08/23/2026

08/22/2026

TRAFFIC DATA FROM US HIGHWAY 287 NEAR PINEYWOODS

When we receive complaints about speeding in a certain area, one of the things we can do is place our speed trailer there for several days and let it collect traffic data for us.

We recently placed the trailer on US Highway 287 westbound near Pineywoods from July 27 through August 5, 2026. The posted speed limit in this area is 75 MPH.

During that time, the trailer recorded 9,214 vehicles, with an overall average speed of 68.9 MPH.

Here is what the traffic data showed:

• 56 to 60 MPH: 385 vehicles
• 61 to 65 MPH: 2,563 vehicles
• 66 to 70 MPH: 2,687 vehicles
• 71 to 75 MPH: 2,466 vehicles
• 76 to 80 MPH: 992 vehicles
• 81 to 85 MPH: 101 vehicles
• 86 to 90 MPH: 13 vehicles
• 96 to 100 MPH: 2 vehicles

With a posted speed limit of 75 MPH, the report shows that 1,108 of the 9,214 vehicles were traveling above 75 MPH. That means approximately 12% of the traffic recorded was above the posted speed limit.

When we look specifically at vehicles traveling more than 5 MPH over the speed limit, that means vehicles traveling 81 MPH or faster. The report shows that 116 of the 9,214 vehicles were traveling more than 5 MPH over the posted limit. That equals approximately 1.3% of all vehicles recorded.

It is also worth looking at how far above the limit some vehicles were traveling. More than 1,100 vehicles were recorded at 76 MPH or faster, which is above the posted speed limit. The trailer even recorded two vehicles between 96 and 100 MPH.

The report also helps us see the hours when the most speeding occurred. The hours with the highest average speeds were:

• 12:00 AM: 72.8 MPH
• 1:00 AM: 72.4 MPH
• 2:00 AM: 71.9 MPH
• 3:00 AM: 71.6 MPH
• 11:00 PM: 71.3 MPH

This is why this information is useful when we receive speeding complaints. Instead of guessing, we can look at actual numbers and determine what traffic is doing, when the highest speeds are occurring, and when we may need to concentrate enforcement in a particular area.

One thing I do want to make clear. The speed trailer does not issue tickets, and it does not give us information that can be used to send someone a ticket later. It does not store vehicle information, license plate information, or driver information. It simply monitors traffic and gives us statistical data like you see in these reports.

We can then use that information to determine whether there is a speeding problem and, if there is, when we need to have a deputy in that area.

As we continue moving the trailer around Trinity County, we will continue sharing the data so you can see the same information we are seeing.

Sheriff Woody Wallace
Trinity County Sheriff’s Office

08/21/2026

Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Trevor Lake Following Multiple Assault Investigations

On August 19, 2026, Trinity County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the City of Groveton in reference to an assault.

The victim, a 56-year-old man, reported that he had been assaulted by Trevor Lake, 36, of Groveton. Lake had left the residence prior to deputies’ arrival.

While deputies were still on scene, they were dispatched to a second address in Groveton where another individual reported being assaulted by Lake. The victim turned over a large filet knife that was covered in blood and reported that he had taken the knife away from Lake during the incident.

Deputies then traveled to Lake’s residence in an attempt to locate him and serve an arrest warrant related to a previous case. While at the residence, deputies located a dog that was tied up and appeared to have a stab wound to its chest and a cut to its leg. The injuries appeared to be consistent with the knife previously recovered by deputies.

Deputies were subsequently dispatched to a third Groveton address regarding a female who reported that she had been assaulted several hours earlier. After speaking with the female, deputies continued their efforts to locate Lake.

Warrants were requested for Lake’s arrest for the following offenses:

Assault — Impede Breath or Circulation, Felony 3
Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animal Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Felony 3
Assault Causing Bodily Injury, Misdemeanor A

On August 20, 2026, Trevor Lake was taken into custody.

Due to additional information received following Lake’s arrest, additional charges are pending.

08/20/2026

STRAIGHT TALK: OUR KIDS, PART 6

Today we’re talking about something simple that I believe can make a big difference in raising our kids.

Let them be little, but teach them how to grow up.

Let them get outside, get dirty, work, play and come home truly tired. Give them chores, routines and projects that take more than five minutes to finish. Let them make mistakes and learn how to fix them. Most importantly, quit doing everything for them.

There’s plenty of time for the pressures of adulthood later. Childhood should be fun, but it’s also where we begin learning the responsibility, work ethic and habits that will follow us for the rest of our lives.

Let them play. Let them work. Let them learn. Let them make memories. And let them be little.

Here’s Part 6 of our Straight Talk series on our kids.