New Messages Show Multiple Law Enforcement Officials Responded to Kent McGowen Regarding Roy Alan Stuart Information.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Additional text messages obtained during my investigation into Roy Alan Stuart show Kent McGowen exchanged text messages with multiple law enforcement officials after providing information from his prison journals.
The messages do not verify the allegations contained in McGowen’s journals. However, they do document that officials from multiple agencies acknowledged receiving or discussing the information and, in some cases, indicated they intended to review the material.
FBI Safe Streets Task Force Acknowledged the Request
In a text message dated January 5, 2023, FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen responded to McGowen regarding the Roy Alan Stuart journals.
Hansen wrote:
A January 5, 2023 text message from FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen acknowledges Kent McGowen’s request to review his Roy Alan Stuart prison journals. Personal phone number has been redacted.
“Myself nor Agent Brown have forgot about request to meet with us and review your diary notes ref Roy Alan Stewart.”
He continued by explaining that both investigators were handling several major cases before adding:
“We both have a number of major ongoing cases. We will reach in few weeks to meet.”
The message documents that McGowen’s request remained under consideration while investigators focused on other active investigations.
John Blankenship Responded to McGowen’s Information
On May 2, 2023, McGowen received another text message from John Blankenship after sending additional information.
In a May 2, 2023 text message, John Blankenship told Kent McGowen he had discussed the Roy Alan Stuart information with his supervisor and that a Texas Ranger would work on the matter.
Blankenship wrote:
“I ran our conversation by my boss… he wants our new Texas Ranger to work on this.”
He added that he would contact McGowen again once they had a plan in place.
The message indicates McGowen’s information was discussed internally and that a Texas Ranger was expected to become involved.
Texas Ranger Contact
Kent McGowen provided this contact entry identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf while documenting his efforts to share information related to Roy Alan Stuart with law enforcement. The phone number has been redacted for privacy.
McGowen also provided a contact entry identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf.
While a contact listing alone does not establish what communications occurred, it is consistent with McGowen’s account that he attempted to provide his journals to multiple law enforcement agencies.
What the Messages Show
The text messages do not establish that Roy Alan Stuart’s alleged confessions were verified.
They also do not confirm that investigators concluded Stuart committed the crimes described in McGowen’s journals.
What they do show is that officials representing multiple agencies acknowledged receiving or discussing McGowen’s information and communicated with him regarding his request to have the material reviewed.
Those communications provide additional documentation supporting McGowen’s longstanding claim that he repeatedly attempted to bring the information to law enforcement after documenting his conversations with Stuart in prison.
Continuing Investigation
I continue to review prison journals, text messages, official records, and other documents related to Roy Alan Stuart.
If you have firsthand information regarding Roy Alan Stuart, the prison journals, or any of the cases discussed, you can contact me confidentially.
As with all of my reporting, allegations contained in the journals remain unverified unless supported by independent evidence or official records.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my investigative journalism.
Investigator Matt Wingo Raises Questions About Roy Alan Stuart Prison Journal Story
Before publishing my interview with former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen and his handwritten prison journals about convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart, I contacted investigator Matt Wingo seeking an interview and comment.
I did not receive an interview before my publication deadline.
After the story was published, Wingo emailed me several times expressing concerns about the accuracy of information contained in McGowen’s journals. Although one of his emails stated he did not want further contact, he continued sending additional emails outlining what he believes are significant factual problems.
Why I Reported the Story the Way I Did
The messages document that Wingo and McGowen communicated. They do not independently establish that every claim discussed in those communications is accurate.
July 13, 2023 text message exchange between investigator Matt Wingo and former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen discussing Roy Alan Stuart. The messages include discussion of an estimated homicide count and references to reviewing additional investigative records.
One issue readers should understand is the homicide count.
Before publication, I had seen a July 2023 message between Wingo and McGowen in which Wingo wrote:
“I have him killing 14 but that’s light, what we know about.”
However, because I was unable to interview Wingo before publication, I did not feel it was appropriate to publish his estimate as fact without giving him the opportunity to explain how he reached that number.
Instead, I reported what Kent McGowen told me during my interview and clearly identified him as the source of those statements. Throughout my reporting, I repeatedly noted that many of the claims contained in McGowen’s journals remain unverified.
Editor’s Note – July 10, 2026
After publication, Kent McGowen and I reviewed his original handwritten journals. During that review, we found that several entries involving investigator contacts had been misinterpreted during transcription. The handwritten notes document communications with investigators, including letters, telephone calls, and correspondence. However, some entries were mistakenly interpreted as in-person meetings. Those sections have been corrected to more accurately reflect the original handwritten journals.
The underlying claims in this article remain attributed to Kent McGowen’s interview and handwritten journals unless otherwise noted. As with the original publication, these allegations have not been independently verified by this news organization.
Additional Documents Reviewed
Excerpts from Kent McGowen’s original handwritten prison journals referencing communications with investigators and agencies regarding information he said Roy Alan Stuart shared while they were incarcerated together.
In addition to the handwritten journals, I reviewed prior communications between Matt Wingo and Kent McGowen regarding Roy Alan Stuart as part of this reporting.
The Questions That Remain
Several important questions remain unanswered.
Which Texas Ranger or Rangers were referenced in McGowen’s journals?
Can the journal entries regarding investigator communications be independently verified through records or other witnesses?
Which portions of the journals can be independently verified?
Which claims cannot currently be verified?
Are there additional public records that support or contradict McGowen’s account?
I intend to continue reporting on these questions as more information becomes available.
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More Resources
If stories about cold cases, victims, and investigative journalism matter to you, these books and reports may also be helpful.
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Tammy Rose shares the personal journey that inspired her lifelong commitment to fighting for victims.
Why I Fight So Hard for Victims: The Story I’ve Never Shared
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Why I’m Sharing This Now
People often ask why I spend so much time filing public records requests, interviewing grieving families, and refusing to give up on cold cases.
The answer isn’t found in a newsroom.
It’s found in one of the most painful chapters of my own life.
Long before I became an investigative reporter, I became a victim.
For years, I kept this story private because of the shame, embarrassment, and fear that followed.
Today, I’m sharing it because I hope it helps others understand why I fight so hard for victims.
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I Didn’t Want to Report the Crime
The person who sexually assaulted me wasn’t a stranger.
He was someone my family knew and trusted.
After it happened, I didn’t want to report the crime.
I was embarrassed.
I was ashamed.
Like many victims, I blamed myself.
I wanted to pretend it had never happened.
It was my former husband who convinced me to go to law enforcement. He told me that if I didn’t report the crime, he would.
Looking back, I’m grateful he encouraged me to speak up.
At the time, it felt impossible.
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The Trial Changed My Family Forever
Going through the criminal justice system was one of the hardest experiences of my life.
During the trial, I learned the defendant had previously been convicted in another sexual assault case involving a child under the age of 14 and had served a much shorter sentence.
That realization was heartbreaking.
The case also divided my family.
One of the most painful moments was watching my own sister testify for the defense.
My father blamed me for what had happened.
Losing the support of people I loved was devastating.
The verdict ended the criminal case.
It did not end the pain.
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The Papers I Never Threw Away
Court records and victim notification letters I kept for years—documents that reminded me the criminal case ended, but the journey as a victim did not.
Recently, I opened a folder I hadn’t looked at in years.
Inside were Wisconsin court records, sentencing documents, and a Wisconsin Department of Corrections victim notification letter informing me the offender would one day be released from prison.
Holding those papers again reminded me that victims often carry a case long after the courtroom is empty.
The documents aren’t just legal records.
For me, they represent years of healing.
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Years Later, I Had to Defend My Truth Again
Courthouse during the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial, where my reporting ultimately led to State Bar proceedings that resulted in my deposition years after my own criminal case had ended.
Years after my criminal case ended, I was covering the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial as a reporter.
During my reporting, I uncovered information that led me to file a complaint with the State Bar of Arizona regarding prosecutor Juan Martinez.
As part of that disciplinary process, I was deposed.
During that process, records from my own criminal case became part of the deposition and were made public. As a victim, it was devastating to see deeply personal parts of my past become public record years after I believed I had finally moved forward.
I never imagined my own past would become part of those proceedings.
During the deposition, my background was examined, including the sexual assault case from years earlier. My credibility was challenged, and I felt as though I was once again defending one of the most painful experiences of my life.
For years, I had been afraid to speak up.
Then something changed.
I remember saying, “The judge and jury believed me. If you disagree with that, take it up with them.”
It was the first time in a long time that I truly stood up for myself.
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Why I Fight So Hard for Victims
Official Texas DPS Missing Persons Bulletin for Rebecca Jean Beard, documenting her disappearance before Paul Taylor Jr. later pleaded guilty in the case despite her remains never being recovered.
Every records request I file…
Each family I interview…
No cold case is just another story.
Every difficult question I ask…
Is driven by one purpose: finding the truth.
I know what it feels like to wonder if anyone will believe you.
I’ve experienced losing relationships because I told the truth.
Years later, my credibility was questioned over events from my past.
Those experiences shaped the reporter I am today.
Victims deserve compassion.
Families deserve answers.
The truth deserves to be pursued—even when it’s uncomfortable.
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To Every Victim Reading This
Terri Denise McDaniels was murdered in Pearland, Texas, on October 31, 1986. Her homicide remains unsolved. Every unsolved case represents a family still waiting for answers and justice.
Maybe you’ve been afraid to report a crime.
Perhaps someone blamed you for something that wasn’t your fault.
Or maybe you’ve wondered whether anyone would believe you.
You are not alone.
Sharing this story isn’t about reliving the past.
It’s about explaining why I continue fighting for victims every single day.
I can’t change what happened to me.
But I can make sure my experiences help someone else find the courage to speak.
As long as I have a voice, I’ll keep fighting for those still searching for justice.
That’s why I fight so hard for victims.
Continue Reading
If you’d like to learn more about trauma, healing, and the importance of seeking justice for victims, you may also find these resources helpful.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Composition notebooks and handwritten prison notes provided to Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose by former deputy Kent McGowen. McGowen says he secretly documented alleged conversations with inmate Roy Alan Stuart while they were incarcerated together.
Former Deputy Documents Alleged Roy Alan Stuart Confessions in Secret Prison Journals
Before serving about 19 years in prison, Kent McGowen worked as a Harris County deputy. McGowen says it was during his incarceration that he met Roy Alan Stuart and began documenting the conversations that became the basis of his prison journals and investigative notes.
By Tammy Rose | Investigative Reporter
For nearly two years inside a Texas prison, former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen says he got to know convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart. What began as casual conversations became something McGowen says he could not ignore.
McGowen says Stuart described murders, body disposal sites and victims who had never been publicly connected to him. McGowen feared he would forget the details, so he secretly documented the conversations in composition notebooks, handwritten journals and investigative timelines.
The former Harris County deputy shared those journals, notebooks and supporting documents publicly for the first time.
Over the past several weeks, I interviewed former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen, reviewed hundreds of pages of handwritten prison journals and supporting documents, and examined records related to the claims discussed in this article.
Editor’s Note – July 10, 2026
After publication, Kent McGowen and I reviewed his original handwritten prison journals. During that review, we found that several entries involving investigator contacts had been misinterpreted during transcription. The handwritten journals document communications with investigators, including letters, telephone calls, text messages, and correspondence. Some entries were mistakenly interpreted as in-person meetings. Those sections have been corrected to more accurately reflect the original handwritten journals.
The allegations and information presented throughout this article remain attributed to Kent McGowen’s interview and handwritten journals unless otherwise noted. As with the original publication, these claims have not been independently verified by this news organization.
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Why McGowen Started Writing Everything Down
Former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen spent about 19 years in prison, where he says he lived near Roy Alan Stuart for nearly two years and began documenting the conversations that became the basis of his handwritten prison journals.
Watch my exclusive interview as Kent McGowen describes chilling details he says Roy Alan Stuart confessed to while the two were incarcerated together.
McGowen served about 19 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after a jury convicted him in the 1992 murder of Susan White.
McGowen says he spent nearly two years housed in what he described as a converted shipping container with more than a dozen other inmates, including Stuart.
According to McGowen, most inmates avoided Stuart because of his reputation.
“If you think what a serial killer looks like, that’s the picture that pops into your mind,” McGowen told me.
Eventually, the two men started talking.
According to McGowen, those conversations changed everything.
He says Stuart described crimes, victims, locations and methods in extraordinary detail. McGowen believed much of the information had never become public.
Instead of relying on memory, McGowen quietly wrote down what Stuart told him. He used composition notebooks, handwritten journals and investigative timelines whenever he had the opportunity.
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Secret Prison Journals
One page from Kent McGowen’s handwritten prison journals. McGowen says he wrote many of the notes covertly while incarcerated with Roy Alan Stuart to preserve details he believed investigators should review. The handwritten entries are published as source material and have not been independently verified by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.
McGowen says he often wrote the notes late at night after speaking with Stuart. Poor lighting and the need for secrecy made many pages difficult to read decades later.
He never intended to publish the journals.
Instead, McGowen says he created a personal record of conversations he hoped investigators would eventually review.
As time passed, he expanded the project. He created typed investigative summaries, organized his notes and added details as additional memories surfaced.
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Original Notebook Pages
Additional Documents
During our interview, McGowen said the journals document conversations and allegations involving convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart while the two men were incarcerated together.
I am publishing the journals as source material for transparency. I have not independently verified every allegation they contain. Readers should not interpret their publication as confirmation that every claim is true.
I published the notebook pages as McGowen provided them, except for minor adjustments that improve readability.
Readers can compare the original handwritten journals with McGowen’s later typed investigative summaries to better understand the chronology he documented.
What Stuart Told McGowen
According to McGowen, Roy Alan Stuart eventually grew comfortable talking about his past. McGowen says Stuart began describing crimes he claimed to have committed.
The conversations continued for nearly two years while both men served time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. McGowen worried he would forget important details, so he recorded the conversations in handwritten prison journals. Later, he organized the information into typed investigative summaries and timelines.
McGowen’s notes include allegations involving additional victims whom public records have never linked to Stuart.
One entry identifies Linda Kay (White) Simmons. McGowen says Stuart claimed responsibility for killing her in 1971 after prison officials released him following the killing of another victim also named Kay.
Another entry describes a woman McGowen says Stuart claimed was thrown from a bridge into Austin Bayou. McGowen writes that Stuart described the location during one of their conversations.
McGowen also documented allegations involving a constable he says Stuart claimed to have killed. In his notes, McGowen identified the person as a law enforcement officer who later used a wheelchair.
McGowen says he shared the information with retired veteran investigator Matt Wingo, who served for decades in Brazoria County, and referenced additional details involving Austin Bayou in his prison notes.
Screenshot of a July 2023 text conversation in which retired veteran investigator Matt Wingo discusses reviewing Kent McGowen’s prison notes related to convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart. The exchange is published as source material. Its contents have not been independently verified by me.
Additional Allegations Documented in McGowen’s Notes
According to McGowen’s handwritten notes and his 2023 correspondence with retired investigator Matt Wingo, Stuart allegedly described numerous additional crimes during nearly two years of conversations in prison. They include:
McGowen’s notes state that Stuart claimed his first killing occurred when he was about 10 years old. According to the notes, Stuart alleged his father restrained Stuart’s paternal uncle and ordered him to beat the man to death with a baseball bat.
The notes also describe an allegation that Stuart murdered a nun in Potter County and concealed her body beneath a cattle water trough.
Another allegation in McGowen’s notes is that Stuart claimed he kidnapped a woman in Tomball.
The notes also reference additional alleged homicide victims, body disposal locations, and other crimes Stuart reportedly described during nearly two years of conversations in prison.
The allegations above have not been independently verified by me. They are published because they appear in McGowen’s contemporaneous notes and correspondence, which investigators previously acknowledged reviewing.
Could Terri Denise McDaniels Be One of the Cases?
Terri Denise McDaniels was found murdered in Pearland on Oct. 31, 1986. Her homicide remains unsolved.
McGowen’s notes include an allegation that Roy Alan Stuart claimed he murdered a young girl in Brazoria County after allegedly being paid approximately $3,000 by the victim’s mother for life insurance proceeds.
At this time, I have not identified any public records linking Roy Alan Stuart to McDaniels’ homicide, and no official connection has been established.
While researching the case, I found online discussions in which some members of the public have speculated that Stuart could have been responsible for McDaniels’ unsolved killing. Those online discussions are not evidence and do not establish a connection.
Because McDaniels’ homicide remains unsolved and McGowen’s notes describe an alleged unidentified victim in Brazoria County, I am continuing to examine whether any records or witnesses support—or refute—a possible connection.
Investigators Acknowledged Receiving the Information
Additional notebook entries reference unidentified victims, possible body disposal sites and locations McGowen believed investigators should review.
No public records confirm Stuart’s involvement in these additional cases.
I included the material because it appears throughout McGowen’s handwritten journals, investigative summaries and supporting documents.
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Efforts to Alert Investigators
McGowen says he never intended for the prison journals to remain hidden.
After leaving prison, he organized his handwritten notes into typed investigative summaries. He says he shared portions of that material with investigators in hopes they would examine the information further.
The emails, text messages and documents included in this article show McGowen’s efforts to preserve the information and seek additional review. They do not independently verify the allegations themselves.
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State Records Confirm Roy Alan Stuart Died in Prison
Official Record: The Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report below confirms Roy Alan Stuart died on May 10, 2019, while in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The report lists his manner of death as natural and identifies lung cancer as the medical cause of death.
While reviewing McGowen’s records, I also obtained an official Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report confirming Roy Alan Stuart died on May 10, 2019, while in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The report states Stuart was 71 years old. He died while receiving hospice care at the Michael Unit in Anderson County. It lists lung cancer as the medical cause of death and classifies the manner of death as natural.
McGowen told me Stuart appeared to disappear from the public TDCJ inmate roster after he began providing information to investigators in 2019. According to McGowen, Stuart later appeared under a different unit assignment before state records ultimately confirmed his death.
What Remains Unverified
Many of the allegations contained in McGowen’s journals and investigative summaries have never been independently verified.
Some involve crimes for which Stuart was never charged, while others identify alleged victims, disposal sites or additional homicides that are not reflected in publicly available court records.
Throughout this investigation, I have distinguished between information supported by public records and allegations McGowen attributes to Stuart during their time incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Readers should not interpret publication of these documents as confirmation that every allegation is true. Instead, the records are being published so readers can examine the original material alongside the reporting as this investigation continues.
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Investigation Continues
Over the coming weeks, I will continue reviewing prison journals, handwritten notes, investigative timelines and correspondence provided by McGowen.
Public records requests remain pending. I also continue seeking comment from current and former law enforcement officials mentioned throughout this investigation.
The records are being published so readers can examine the original material.
McGowen believes the journals preserve years of conversations investigators should examine. Time will determine whether those allegations lead to new evidence or simply become part of the historical record.
Do You Have Information?
Do you have information related to Roy Alan Stuart or any case discussed in this investigation?
Send documentation, photographs, court records or firsthand information that could help verify or refute claims in McGowen’s journals.
Email Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose at chopperrose@msn.com
Editor’s Note: This article contains allegations documented in Kent McGowen’s prison journals, handwritten notes and correspondence. Unless otherwise noted, these allegations have not been independently verified by me and should not be interpreted as established fact.
If you’re interested in learning more about Roy Alan Stuart and other notorious Texas crime cases, browse my recommended true crime books in my Amazon storefront.
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The requested records involve outside attorneys hired by Brazoria County in connection with the John Mendoza Jr. shooting investigation.
July 2, 2026: Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office notified requester Kevin Henry that it was asking the Texas Attorney General to determine whether records related to outside legal counsel could be withheld under the Texas Public Information Act.
Brazoria County DA Asks Texas Attorney General to Withhold Records on Outside Counsel Hired After John Mendoza Jr. Shooting
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Why did Brazoria County hire outside legal counsel following the fatal shooting of John Mendoza Jr., and why is the District Attorney now asking the Texas Attorney General to keep those records from the public?
Those are questions at the center of a new Texas Public Information Act dispute after podcast host Kevin Henry requested documents related to outside attorneys retained by Brazoria County following the officer-involved shooting.
The records request seeks documents that would show:
The attorney engagement letter.
The scope of legal representation.
Financial terms of the agreement.
Communications regarding hiring outside counsel.
Authority used to retain the attorneys.
Invoices and payment records.
According to the request, the records involve outside attorney Norman Giles and the law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP in connection with matters involving John Mendoza Jr., John Mendoza Sr., and attorney Charles Adams.
DA Requests Attorney General Ruling
On July 2, 2026, the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office notified Kevin Henry that it was seeking a Texas Attorney General ruling on whether records related to outside legal counsel could be withheld under the Texas Public Information Act.
Instead of immediately releasing the records, Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney Tom Selleck notified the Texas Attorney General that his office intends to seek permission to withhold portions of the requested information.
In the July 2, 2026 letter, the DA cites several exceptions under the Texas Public Information Act, including:
Confidential information
Litigation exception
Law enforcement exception
Agency memoranda
The Attorney General will ultimately determine whether those claimed exemptions apply.
Kevin Henry Challenges the County’s Position
Kevin Henry filed the public records request seeking contracts, invoices, communications, and related records concerning outside legal counsel hired by Brazoria County in connection with the John Mendoza Jr. investigation. The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office later notified him it was seeking a Texas Attorney General ruling on whether some of those records could be withheld.
Kevin Henry argues the requested documents involve public expenditures rather than protected legal advice.
In his filing, he contends that:
Engagement letters for outside legal services are generally public records.
Financial terms of public contracts are typically subject to disclosure.
Outside counsel was retained before litigation was filed.
The public has a strong interest in understanding how taxpayer money is being spent following the fatal shooting.
Henry also argues that disclosure is particularly important because the request concerns the death of John Mendoza Jr. during an encounter with a Brazoria County Sheriff’s deputy.
Why This Matters
When government agencies retain outside attorneys, taxpayers often pay those legal expenses.
The records requested could provide additional information about:
When outside counsel was hired.
What work the attorneys were retained to perform.
How much taxpayers may ultimately pay.
The legal scope of the representation.
Whether those documents remain confidential now rests with the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
What Happens Next
The Attorney General will review both Brazoria County’s arguments for withholding the records and Kevin Henry’s response opposing those claims.
If the Attorney General orders disclosure, Brazoria County may be required to release some or all of the requested documents. If the ruling favors the county, portions of the records could remain withheld.
I’ll continue following this public records dispute and provide updates as additional filings become available.
The Texas Attorney General will now determine whether the requested records must be released or whether the county may lawfully withhold some or all of them under the Texas Public Information Act.
More John Mendoza Jr. Coverage: Follow my ongoing investigative reporting into the John Mendoza Jr. shooting, including public records requests, legal filings, the outside counsel controversy, attorney statements, and previous developments in the case.
Recommended Reporting Gear
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Sheriff Department Scam Call: I Almost Fell for It
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
I receive unusual phone calls almost every day as a reporter. Most are tips, questions, or requests for information.
But one phone call caught me completely off guard.
Someone claiming to be with a sheriff’s department called and said I had missed a federal grand jury summons. The caller sounded calm, professional, and convincing. They provided a name and a badge number, then even transferred me to what appeared to be the sheriff’s office.
For a moment, I believed it.
In fact, I drove to the sheriff’s office to find out what was going on.
That’s when I learned the call wasn’t legitimate.
They Called Again
This week, I received two more calls that appeared to be from the same scam.
This time, I didn’t answer.
Instead, I let the calls go to voicemail because I immediately recognized the warning signs from my previous experience.
The voicemail claimed to be from someone identifying themselves as:
“Anthony Little, badge number 5254…”
The recording was difficult to understand, but it was enough to remind me how convincing these scams can sound.
(Listen to the voicemail below.)
Why This Scam Is So Effective
The people behind these calls know exactly how to create panic.
They often claim you’ve:
Missed jury duty.
Missed a federal grand jury summons.
Have an outstanding warrant.
Must respond immediately to avoid arrest.
The goal is simple: convince you to act before you have time to think.
Fortunately, I already knew something wasn’t right because I had experienced a similar scam before.
What Should You Do?
If you receive a call claiming to be from a sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency:
Stay calm.
Do not provide personal information.
Never send money or gift cards.
Do not follow payment instructions given over the phone.
Hang up and contact the agency using its publicly listed phone number.
Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not typically demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten arrest unless you act immediately.
One Lesson I Won’t Forget
Looking back, I don’t mind admitting that I almost believed the first call.
That’s exactly why these scams continue to work.
If someone who spends a career asking questions can momentarily wonder whether a call is real, imagine how convincing these callers can sound to someone who has never encountered this type of scam before.
The experience reminded me that it’s always better to verify information through official channels than to react out of fear.
Have You Received One?
Have you received a similar phone call claiming to be from a sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency?
Tell me what happened in the comments below. Your experience could help warn someone else before they become the next victim.
If these scammers call me again, I may answer—not because I believe them, but because I want to expose exactly how these scams work and share that information with you.
Products That Can Help Reduce Scam Calls
Receiving repeated scam calls is frustrating, but there are products that may help protect your personal information and reduce unwanted calls.
Below are a few items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Your support helps fund my independent investigative reporting.
Former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen says one of the most unexpected chapters of his life began while serving a prison sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
McGowen was convicted in the 1992 murder of Susan White and spent 19 years in prison before he was paroled. Since his release, he has spoken publicly about his case and his time in prison, including conversations he says he had with convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart.
According to McGowen, he spent nearly two years housed near convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart, where the two developed an unlikely relationship that led to conversations about alleged unsolved murders across Southeast Texas.
McGowen says he carefully documented those conversations, typed formal reports, and later turned the information over to multiple law enforcement agencies.
I have not independently verified Stuart’s alleged prison statements or whether they resulted in any solved criminal cases.
An Unlikely Prison Conversation
McGowen told me that most inmates avoided Stuart, describing him as someone who appeared exactly how many people would imagine a serial killer.
After noticing Stewart sitting alone, McGowen said he bought him a pint of ice cream and a soft drink from the prison commissary.
According to McGowen, that simple act led Stuart to begin discussing murders he claimed to have committed throughout Texas.
“Nobody would talk to Roy,” McGowen said. “After that, he just started talking.”
McGowen said one reason he began paying close attention was because Stuart showed him what McGowen recalls was a letter that Stuart claimed had been written by attorney Tom Selleck. According to McGowen, Stuart also claimed Selleck represented him at the time. Selleck currently serves as the Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney and previously worked as an assistant district attorney before entering private practice. I have not independently verified the letter, its authenticity, or Stuart’s claim regarding the alleged legal representation.
Claims Of Additional Victims
Historical newspaper clipping from The Victoria Advocate (May 1994) reporting Roy Alan Stuart’s arrest in Brazoria County. The article states Stuart had been investigated in multiple homicide and sexual assault cases. Included for historical context alongside Kent McGowen’s interview.
McGowen alleges Stuart described several killings that were never publicly connected to him.
Among the stories McGowen recalls were allegations involving:
A woman allegedly abducted from Houston during rodeo season.
A victim allegedly killed near a waterway in Brazoria County.
Bodies allegedly disposed of in or near the Brazos River.
Additional killings Stuart allegedly discussed involving Southeast Texas.
McGowen says Stuart showed no remorse while recounting the alleged crimes.
Documenting Every Conversation
Rather than relying on memory, McGowen says he immediately began documenting the conversations.
He kept handwritten notes while incarcerated before later typing formal reports describing what Stuart allegedly told him.
McGowen says he eventually forwarded those reports to multiple law enforcement agencies, including investigators in several Texas counties.
“I wanted to document everything while it was still fresh,” McGowen said.
Investigators Later Contacted Him
According to McGowen, investigators later reached out requesting copies of his notes.
He says an FBI agent also contacted him after learning about the reports and asked to review the journals because they reflected his contemporaneous observations while Stuart was allegedly making the statements.
McGowen says he continues to maintain copies of those writings today.
Questions Still Remain
Whether Stuart’s alleged prison statements can ever be verified remains unknown.
At this time, I have not found any publicly available records that independently confirm the additional alleged victims described by McGowen.
However, McGowen believes investigators considered the information important enough to request his documentation years after the conversations took place.
As part of my continuing coverage, I am preparing additional public records requests to determine what investigative steps, if any, followed McGowen’s submissions.
This remains an active reporting project. If you have firsthand knowledge related to Roy Alan Stuart or the investigations discussed in this article, contact me through ChopperRose.com
Related Coverage
Convicted Former Deputy Says He Was Framed — But Key Questions Remain(coming soon)
Why I Released the 2002 Paul Taylor Jr. Confession
As an investigative reporter, I often have to make difficult decisions.
One of the hardest was deciding whether to release the 2002 family mediation recording involving Paul Taylor Jr. and Rebecca Beard’s family.
When I first obtained an exclusive copy of the recording from Rebecca Beard’s family, I wasn’t sure if I would ever make it public.
For months, I listened to the recording while reviewing court records, investigative documents, and interviewing Rebecca’s family. The more I reported on the case, the more I believed the recording added important context to an investigation that still raises questions nearly four decades later.
Rather than relying on summaries or secondhand accounts, I wanted people to hear Paul Taylor Jr.’s own words for themselves.
This article isn’t about telling anyone what to believe.
It’s about explaining why I decided to release the recording and why I believe it is an important part of my ongoing investigation.
“Rather than relying on summaries or secondhand accounts, I wanted people to hear Paul Taylor Jr.’s own words and decide for themselves.”
Watch the Exclusive 2002 Paul Taylor Jr. Confession
The full 30-minute recording is embedded below. I encourage you to listen to it in its entirety before drawing your own conclusions.
Why the recording stood out
As I compared the mediation recording with other records I reviewed during my investigation, several things caught my attention.
One involves the events after Rebecca Beard disappeared.
During the mediation, Paul Taylor Jr. appears unable to remember getting his vehicle stuck in a ditch near his home or the tow truck driver who reportedly helped pull him out. Yet in other parts of the recording, he recalls details surrounding the case.
That difference raised questions for me.
Another involves the weapon.
While reviewing investigative records, I came across a sealed document containing entries that reference a Remington shotgun and what appears to be human remains.
Those entries stood out because they raise questions when compared with portions of the mediation recording.
I encourage viewers to listen to the recording, review the available information, and draw their own conclusions.
Why I chose to publish it
Investigative reporting isn’t about deciding a case.
It’s about asking questions, reviewing records, interviewing the people closest to the investigation, and presenting information as fairly and accurately as possible.
Over the past several months, I’ve interviewed Rebecca Beard’s family, reviewed numerous court records and investigative documents, and continued asking questions about a case that still has many unanswered ones.
After months of reporting, I believed it was time to let the public hear this recording in its entirety.
This article serves as an introduction to that recording.
I encourage you to listen to the complete mediation audio in context and compare what is said with the records discussed throughout my investigation.
Sometimes the biggest questions aren’t about what someone remembers.
They’re about what they don’t.
Thank you for taking the time to follow my reporting.
Related Rebecca Beard Coverage
Continue following my investigation with these related reports:
This investigation took months of research, interviews, reviewing court records, and comparing documents with the 2002 mediation recording. These are some of the tools I use while reporting stories like this.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my independent investigative journalism.
Newly released Texas Attorney General reports raise new questions in the investigation into the fatal shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The Texas Rangers investigation remains ongoing.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation
The John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. investigation continues to raise new questions after newly released Texas Attorney General state reports provided additional details about the fatal June 1 shooting in Lake Jackson. The documents describe the same incident but use different wording in several key sections.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office submitted both a Custodial Death Report and a Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report to the Texas Attorney General. While the Texas Rangers continue investigating the John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. case, the newly released records highlight differences in how the incident was documented.
Both reports describe the same incident. However, they use different wording in several sections while the Texas Rangers continue their investigation.
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation: Reports Describe the Same Incident
Both reports identify Mendoza as the 18-year-old who died after a deputy attempted a traffic stop that ended at a residence on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson.
According to the records, Mendoza drove into a garage attached to a home after deputies attempted to stop him.
The reports state the deputy was on duty and involved in a pursuit after Mendoza allegedly failed to stop.
Custodial Death Report Lists Homicide
The Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report identifies John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. and includes the official manner and cause of death submitted by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
The Custodial Death Report lists the manner of death as:
Homicide (includes Justifiable Homicide).
Medical examiners use that classification when one person causes another person’s death. The classification does not determine whether a crime occurred or whether criminal charges are appropriate.
The report lists the medical cause of death as a gunshot wound that entered through the left upper extremity into the torso.
It also identifies the weapon as a handgun.
Incident Summary Uses the Word “Discharged”
The incident summary in the Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report states that the deputy’s firearm discharged while approaching John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The report does not explain what caused the firearm to discharge.
One section of the Custodial Death Report states:
“When entering the garage approaching the driver, the deputy’s firearm discharged and a bullet struck the driver.”
The report does not explain why the firearm discharged or whether investigators have determined if the discharge was intentional, accidental, or the result of another circumstance.
Reports Use Different Language About a Weapon
A separate Texas Attorney General report states that John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. “carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.” The report does not identify the weapon or explain why this wording differs from the Custodial Death Report.
One section of the Custodial Death Report asks whether Mendoza displayed or used a weapon during the incident.
The answer listed is:
Unknown.
However, the separate Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report includes a different description.
That report states the injured or deceased person:
“Carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.”
Neither report explains the apparent difference in wording or identifies the weapon referenced in that section.
The records also do not describe when investigators reached those conclusions or whether additional evidence remains under review.
Deputy Was Not Responding to a Call
The Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report states the deputy was not responding to a call for service when the incident began.
Instead, the report states the encounter occurred during a pursuit involving a suspect who was allegedly evading arrest or detention using a motor vehicle.
The report identifies the deputy as a 29-year-old male who was on duty at the time of the shooting.
Investigation Continues
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. is pictured in his Brazoswood High School football uniform before the June 1, 2026, incident in Lake Jackson. The Texas Rangers continue to investigate the fatal deputy-involved shooting.
The Custodial Death Report states emergency personnel treated Mendoza before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died.
The report also confirms that the Texas Rangers, working with the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, continue investigating the shooting.
Neither report reaches a conclusion about criminal responsibility or explains what caused the deputy’s firearm to discharge.
As the investigation moves forward, the newly released state records answer some questions while raising others about the events inside the garage on June 1.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose contacted the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for comment regarding the newly released state records. No response had been received at the time of publication.
Emergency crews respond after a deadly crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 inbound near Highway 6 in west Houston. Photo: Tammy Rose
Two Deadly Crashes Snarl Traffic Across West Houston
Two deadly crashes kept first responders busy across west Houston Wednesday morning, shutting down major roadways and creating long traffic delays.
The first crash happened around 5 a.m. on the inbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Eldridge Parkway.
According to authorities, an 18-wheeler and another vehicle collided, causing a fire. Two people died at the scene.
Investigators closed all inbound lanes near Dairy Ashford while crews worked to clear the wreckage. Traffic backed up for several miles, stretching toward Kingsland Boulevard during the morning commute.
Police pursuit ends in fatal Highway 6 crash
Emergency crews investigate a deadly crash following a police pursuit on southbound Highway 6 near the Westpark Tollway in west Houston. Photo: Tammy Rose
A second deadly crash occurred on Highway 6 southbound near the Westpark Tollway.
Photos from the scene show heavy damage to both an HPD patrol vehicle and another vehicle following what authorities described as the end of a police pursuit.
Officials confirmed the incident was fatal. Based on available information, the deceased was not the Houston police officer. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the person who died or the events leading up to the crash.
The investigation remained active as officers documented the scene and worked to reopen the roadway.
Investigation continues
Authorities continue investigating both crashes. Additional information, including the identities of those involved, is expected after next-of-kin notifications and the completion of the preliminary investigations.
