CONSTABLE FIGHTS DRUG TRADE

SAN LEON - Constables traditionally stick to the mundane aspects of law
enforcement, serving court papers and misdemeanor warrants. But Precinct 7
Constable Guy Nichols is going after felons in his corner of the county.

"In the past this county treated it like a retirement job," said Nichols.
"I'm changing that. There's no room for a retirement job in government."

County Judge Jim Yarbrough commended Nichols' success but said the
commissioners court's view on the role of a constable hasn't changed.

"We commend the constable for his good work," said Yarbrough. "Our official
position has been and remains that the constables are there to serve the
justice courts. We've always budgeted aggressive law enforcement through
our sheriff's office. But that's not to say we don't want to catch the bad
guy wherever and whenever we can."

Yarbrough and county commissioners criticized the last constable to extend
his efforts beyond the realm of the justice courts.

Former Precinct 8 Constable Daniel Cooper came under fire from local law
enforcement agencies and county leaders for his aggressive style.

Cooper, who held the post from 1993-2000, was criticized for shooting a
League City suspect in 1995. In 1997, the commissioners court briefly
punished Cooper for his exploits by cutting his vehicle allowance though it
was eventually restored. At the time, commissioners called Cooper's
activity a liability for the county.

Nichols enlisted the help of the Department of Public Safety Narcotics Unit
to clean up problems in Bacliff and San Leon where Nichols both lives and
has jurisdiction. Law enforcement in that unincorporated portion of the
county is typically left to Galveston County Sheriff Gean Leonard's office.

"The constable was looking for help and the people most convenient to him
were DPS," said Leonard. "We don't have any problem there."

The first bust came on March 27 when Precinct 7 constables and state
narcotics investigators looked into a tip that residents in the 4700 block
of 12th Street in Bacliff were trafficking in drugs. The two agencies
executed a search warrant that Nichols said turned up 58 marijuana plants
that were being grown using a hydroponic garden with timed fertilization
and watering. "It was real high tech," said Nichols.

Authorities seized the plants and equipment and obtained arrest warrants
for two men.

Nichols's office made another arrest April 8 after receiving information
that the prescription drug Xanax was being sold from a residence on Perkins
Street, also in Bacliff.

"DPS investigators and Precinct 7 constables observed several cars being
driven by juveniles leaving the residence in the middle of the school day,"
Nichols said in a report prepared for The Daily News. "Traffic stops were
conducted on the two vehicles and three juveniles were taken into custody
after being found to be under the influence of and in possession of illegal
drugs."

Nichols said the juveniles were released to their parents and the man who
lives in the house consented to a search. Nichols said the search produced
a bottle of Xanax and a small amount of marijuana.

Justin Robert Carver was charged with manufacture and delivery of a
controlled substance. His bond was set at $5,000.

One week later, Nichols arrested William David Mack of Bacliff on a
terroristic threat warrant. Mack was charged with possession of marijuana.

Nichols said Mack consented to a search of his residence by DPS
investigators, which produced an ice cream scoop covered with a white
powdery substance that was confiscated.

Nichols also arrested a Dickinson woman April 25 and charged her with
fraudulently obtaining drugs at a local pharmacy. The woman was jailed with
a bond set at $10,000.

Nichols was back on the street with state investigators April 29, when
Nichols said officers executed a search warrant in the 800 block of 18th
Street in San Leon. Nichols said the search turned up approximately
one-half ounce of powdered cocaine, a similar amount of crack cocaine and
12 suspected Ecstasy tablets.

Ricky Gatlin of San Leon was arrested and charged with possession of a
controlled substance.

On May 1, Precinct 7 constables and state investigators executed a search
warrant in Bacliff where Nichols said officers recovered narcotics,
marijuana and fire-arms.

Bacliff resident Mark Conner Mansell was arrested and charged with
possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and unlawful
possession of a firearm by a felon. Bonds were set totaling $155,000.

Robert Maynard, also of Bacliff, was arrested and charged with possession
of a controlled substance.

Nichols said the high level of enforcement activity would continue.
Nichols, a former municipal police officer, said the constable's position
was more rewarding than patrol duty.

"You feel more like a problem solver than enforcement," said Nichols.
"We're grass-roots. We make this happen working with the people. If they
have a problem, they can certainly bring it here."

Nichols said he encourages residents of Precinct 7 to call his office at
(281) 316-8806 and report any suspected illegal activity in the precinct.