NEWS
Despite mistrial, Ricky Howard pleads guilty on one count
A Nocona man named a person of interest in the 2015 disappearance of a local 18-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday to preying on the boy when he was a minor, announced Prerak Shah, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Hours after the court declared a mistrial due to juror injury, Ricky Dale Howard, 59, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. The Nocona News reported a juror fell and broke her foot when leaving the courthouse Monday night.
The former Nocona rancher and banker now faces up to 30 years in federal prison.
According to evidence presented in court before the mistrial was declared, law enforcement obtained several of Howard’s computers during an investigation into the disappearance of a high school senior, Caleb Diehl, who was reported missing on April 1, 2015, just two weeks after his 18th birthday.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Update July 21 8 a.m.:
After presstime Tuesday The Bowie News found Howard is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 27 at the U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth.
Be alert, recent uptick in phone scams. Scammers are contacting people and falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers, alleging the individuals they contact face immediate arrest unless they provide payment in some form (i.e. gift cards, cash transfers, etc.).
Key Points:
* The Montague County Sheriff’s Office never solicits payments over the phone to resolve legal issues. Any communication requesting such payment is fraudulent.
* Scam Tactics: Scammers often use convincing language and may even impersonate real Deputies/ Officer’s or use spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
* Protect Yourself: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Deputy or representative of law enforcement demanding payment, do not comply. Instead, hang up immediately and contact the Montague County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the call’s authenticity.
* Vigilance is Key: Stay vigilant and cautious when answering unsolicited phone calls. Never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers. Discuss this warning with family members, especially seniors, who may be more vulnerable to these scams.
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community from fraud and scams. By staying informed and exercising caution, we can collectively combat these deceptive practices and prevent financial loss.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Bowie Police Department
Bowie Police also reported a possible warrant phone scam and posted this message on its Facebook page earlier in the week.
An individual contacted the Bowie Police Department and advised that he had received a phone call from one of our officers. The conversation stated that a warrant was obtained for his arrest and he needed to turn himself into the Montague County Sheriff’s office. This department has not been calling individuals and advising them of warrants. If you receive a call, contact us at 940-872-2251 to confirm if the call is legitimate.
Calling all Montague County clubs, organization and community groups, if you would like to have a brief on your non-profit group included in the 2025 Montague County Visitor’s and Newcomer’s Guide free of charge please submit it to editor@bowienewsonline.com. Deadline is June 6. Please include i.e , regular meeting dates, locations, time, dues, and contact phone or email. Don’t miss an opportunity to be in this award winning publication.
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