Former Commissioner’s Son Pleads Guilty

GILMER � The son of a former Upshur County commissioner arrested in October 2012 for holding a state game warden at gunpoint has pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful restraint, a Class A misdemeanor. KETK reports that 115th District Judge Lauren Parish of Gilmer sentenced Todd A. Crabtree, 28, to a one-year jail sentence, probated for two years. In addition, Crabtree was ordered to publicly apologize to the game warden and other law enforcement officers who responded to the scene last year. Crabtree also will have to pay a $250 fine, take an anger management class, pay court costs and other fees, and perform 100 hours of community service. While on probation he will have to submit to monthly drug tests and will be barred from drinking alcohol. He also will be prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition during his probation.

The charges to which Crabtree pleaded guilty stem from an October 6, 2012, incident in which the game warden was disarmed and detained by Crabtree and his father, Lloyd, both armed, while the officer was making a routine check for hunting law violations on private property in Upshur County. The game warden used his cell phone to call for help, and soon numerous local and state officers came to his assistance and ended the situation with no shots fired. �The Texas Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division fully supports this plea agreement as well as the previous plea agreement regarding Lloyd Crabtree,� said TPWD Law Enforcement Division Director Colonel Craig Hunter.