NEWS
SO, DA receive funding for cell phone forensic lab, digital fingerprinting system
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioners approved a request Monday to join four programs that can assist in crime-fighting for the sheriff’s office and within the 97th Judicial District.
Staff from the sheriff and District Attorney offices made the presentation requesting funding to access a trio of cell phone forensic tools and a biometric identification system helping bring needed modern technology into criminal investigations.
District Attorney Casey Hall and DA Investigator Chris Hamilton, along with Chief Deputy Jack Lawson and Deputy Ethan Romine made the presentation to set up their own forensic lab for cell phones.
Hamilton opened by telling commissioners investigations into major crimes have changed in recent years and the importance of accessing digital evidence such as material from a cell phone is vital. The sheriff’s staff has done some training in this area, but most suspects won’t share their passcodes so the investigators have to move up to the state or federal levels to get help to access them. And while both are willing, the backlog is vast up to a year or year and a half, which can stall out a case.
“I pulled a few strings to get a phone to ICAT and the Wichita Police helped in the Helms murder, Wise County also helps, but those departments can’t do it all the time,” said Hamilton.
The officers would like to utilize programs that are available to help unlock cell phones and decipher their data whether it be actual calls, texts, messages, search history or location data.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
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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