March 25, 2025
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, a Liberty County Deputy was near the intersection of FM-1008 and SH-321, in Liberty County. The deputy was responding to a call about a stolen trailer being pulled by a blue in color, Ford pickup. The LCSO deputy was flagged down by a citizen and given information that the trailer was on property near the intersection of CR-3011 and CR-3012. When the deputy arrived at that location, Constable Hunter was observed making a felony stop on a white SUV. The Constable told the LCSO deputy to assist his Deputy Constable who was making a felony traffic stop on a blue pickup truck.
The driver and passenger were removed from the blue pickup and detained. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Joshua Anthony Deselle, dob 05/22/1989. The passenger was identified as Johnathan Garret Samilo, dob 03/02/1998. The LCSO deputy observed that the license plate had been tampered with. There was black tape on the letters and numbers which interfered with the readability of the license plate. During questioning, Deselle advised the LCSO Deputy that there was a weapon in the vehicle. A loaded handgun was located underneath the driver’s seat.
LCSO Investigators arrived to assist. Joshua Deselle was placed in custody for unlawfully carrying a weapon by a felon. An inventory of the vehicle was made. Items found included another loaded handgun, bullets, ski masks, and items that appeared to be stolen. The driver of the white SUV was identified as Robert Nelson Jones.
Theft charges were filed on both Deselle and Samilo by Constable Hunter. Charges filed by the LCSO were: Unlawful Carry Weapon w/ Felony Conviction (Deselle and Samilo), and Jones was arrested on 5 outstanding warrants for class C offenses. All three subjects were taken to the Liberty County Jail without incident.
I want to thank the concerned citizens for their help. I also appreciate the fact that the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office works well with Constable Hunter and the other 5 Constables. It takes a team to defeat the enemy.
(Information is taken from the deputy’s report. The defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.)
Thank you,
Bobby Rader – Sheriff
