A Grand Jury convened at the Hemphill County Courthouse on Thursday, August 21, and returned with four felony indictments.

• Jackie Eugene Byrum, 37, was indicted on two third-degree felony charges of injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury. The charges were based on a July 3, 2025 incident in which Byrum intentionally and knowingly caused bodily injury to a child 14 years of age or younger by hitting him in the chin and in the head. Byrum’s bond was set at $40,000. 

• Ruben Gonzales II, 32, was indicted on a third-degree felony charge of writing a forged financial document on July 1, 2024, with the intent of defrauding or harming an elderly individual 65 years or older, who did not authorize the act. The document was valued at more than $2,500 and less than $30,000.

• Felipe Rodriguez Reyes, 45, was indicted on a third-degree felony charge of writing a forged check on July 1, 2024, with the intent to defraud or harm an elderly individual 65 years or older, who did not authorize the act. The check was valued at more than $2,500 and less than $30,000.