Two indictments for misapplication of fiduciary property -- third-degree felonies -- were served Friday afternoon on Lampasas County District Clerk Edith Harrison, local law enforcement officials said.
The separate indictments are “closely related,” John Greenwood, an investigator for the Lampasas County Attorney’s Office, told the Dispatch Record.
A personal bond of $5,000 was set for each charge, Greenwood said.
Harrison, who had been out of town earlier in the week for continuing education sessions, turned herself in at Lampasas County Jail, where her rights were read, paperwork was served, and bond conditions were discussed, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Misty Wakeman told the Dispatch Record.
Texas Ranger William “Jack” Gillentine, who serves Lampasas County, was present for the magistration hearing, along with Harrison and her attorney, Cheyenne Minick, Wakeman said.
Calls by the Dispatch Record to Minick’s office seeking comment were unreturned. Minick is associated with Barnhill Law Firm PLLC, whose main office is in Gatesville.
Lampasas County Attorney Jessica Guy will prosecute the case for the state.
The offenses allegedly committed by Harrison carry a possible range of punishment – if she is found guilty -- of between two to 10 years in state jail and a possible fine of up to $10,000, Greenwood said.
But the defendant could receive probation or be acquitted, the investigator also said. Greenwood is a former longtime Lampasas County/district attorney. Any or all of a sentence conceivably could be probated, according to Greenwood.
The Lampasas County grand jury returned the indictments against Harrison on Sept. 10, but by law they could not be made public unless Harrison was taken into custody or posted bond, Greenwood said.
The grand jury docket listed a matter presented by Gillentine and Greenwood. The document refers to a “special investigation presentation.”
Since grand jury proceedings are secret, Greenwood declined to comment on Gillentine’s and his presentation before grand jurors.
The indictments were presented to Lampasas County 27th District Court Judge Debbie Garrett, instead of the district clerk’s office, Greenwood said. The law provides that indictments can go to either the district judge or the district clerk, he added.
Garrett has recused herself from the case.
Dibrell W. Waldrip, judge of the 433rd Judicial District Court in New Braunfels, has been assigned as a visiting judge to preside over the case in district court here. Waldrip has appointed Bell County District Clerk Joanna Staton as district clerk pro tem, since Harrison cannot serve as the clerk in this case, as she is a party to it, Greenwood explained.
After indictments are served on a person, an arraignment hearing typically is held several weeks later, Greenwood said.
Harrison was first elected in 2018 to the district clerk position. She now is in her second term in office.
