CROCKETT, Texas - A former Houston County jailer has been arrested on a felony charge following an investigation into an alleged relationship with a female inmate, according to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began in February 2025 after officials received information suggesting a possible inappropriate relationship between a jail employee and an inmate housed at the county facility. An internal inquiry was launched, and investigators said interviews with staff members and inmates produced evidence substantiating the allegations. The employee was subsequently terminated.
To ensure an independent review, the case was referred to the Texas Rangers for a criminal investigation and potential indictment.
On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, the former jailer was arrested and booked into the Houston County Jail on a charge of improper sexual activity with a person in custody, a second-degree felony.
Sheriff Zak Benge said the agency maintains strict standards for employee conduct.
“Romantic relationships with incarcerated persons are illegal and will not be tolerated,” Benge said.
The investigation remains part of ongoing accountability efforts within the department.
