WEST TEXAS - Area law enforcement had a very busy week with alleged law breakers and a range of charges.
On Aug. 15, at approximately 9:25 p.m., an officer with the Stanton Police Department was dispatched to the 300 block of south Saint Theresa, in reference to shots being fired.
Two deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office assisted the officer by also responded to the call.
Upon arrival, the officer made contact with several people at a residence and they advised that a subject known to them had pulled up to the house through the alley and fired several rounds at the house.
The suspect had fled the scene and was believed to be in a location out in Martin County. The two deputies went to investigate and located a vehicle that fit the description of the vehicle being driven by the suspect. The deputies stopped the vehicle and detained the driver and until the Stanton officer could arrive.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Robert Pena, 27 of Stanton. He was also identified to be the suspect in the shooting. Officers obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle which yielded evidence related to the shooting. No injuries were sustained during this incident. He was arrested by the Stanton Police Department and booked in at the Dan Saunders Law Enforcement Center.
Pena was charged with Deadly Conduct Discharge Firearm which is a Felony of the third degree. Bond was set at $25,000. Pena also had a warrant out of Midland County for Possession of Marijuana less than two ounces. That bond was cost of providing other services.
State law gives school districts little choice but to collect local taxes for recapture. Districts that seek to lower their tax rate to reduce recapture must still make those payments to the state, leaving them with less revenue for teacher salaries and other local costs.
The current system puts a heavy burden on property owners while pulling critical resources away from local schools. Taxpayers in these school districts are frustrated by the amount of local revenue that must be sent to the state.
Stanton ISD, Grady ISD, and Glasscock County ISD are each on the hook for an estimated $15-25 million in recapture.
The money raised by the three’ golden pennies’ is not subject to recapture and will stay with the district whose voters said yes.
This allows for that district to hold onto an estimated $1 million or more.
This vote is crucial for these districts with the state setting historically low rates.