Former San Augustine deputy arrested for official oppression

Fountain

The Daily Sentinel
By VALERIE REDDELL Staff Writer
January 24, 2023

A San Augustine County deputy as been fired after his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of official oppression, the authorities said.

Terry Fountain, 54, of Nacogdoches was arrested on the charge Jan. 19, according to records from the San Augustine County Jail.

He was released on a personal recognizance bond after booking.

The San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office launched an internal affairs investigation after receiving complaints alleging misconduct, District Attorney Paul Robbins said Monday.

“During that investigation, officials found that some criminal activity may have occurred,” Robbins said.

That’s when Sheriff Robert Cartwright fired Fountain for his lack of cooperation with the internal affairs investigation, Robbins said.

Cartwright asked Texas Rangers to investigate his concerns about criminal activity, and they found enough evidence in the early stages of their investigation to obtain an arrest warrant, Robbins said.

That investigation is continuing. When the Rangers deliver the results of their investigation to Robbins, he will present the case to the grand jury.

“I understand there are multiple victims,” Robbins said. “If so, there may be additional charges.”

Records at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement show that Fountain is certified as a master peace officer and has served for 20 years.

He held positions with the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office twice. The most recent stint was for six years and he spent four years there beginning in 2002. He also spent seven months there as a reserve just after earning his certification.

Fountain was employed by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office for eight years from June 2006 to November 2014.

He also spent two short stints at the Corrigan Police Department in 2015 — the longer one lasting three months. Fountain then spent most of 2016 with the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office.

Valerie Reddell’s email is valerie.reddell@dailysentinel.com.