By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
Bribery and official oppression charges have been filed against a Dallas County constable's employee.
Lt. Howard Johnson was in the Lew Sterrett Justice Center on Thursday on bail totaling $173,00. Johnson was charged with two counts of bribery, two counts of official oppression, two counts of sexual assault, with counting of tampering with a government record and two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Electronic jail records did not indicate an attorney for Johnson, who was arrested late Wednesday.
Watson is an officer with Constable Jaime Cortes.
An attorney for Cortes, Peter Schulte, says the constable "understands the seriousness of the allegations" and has placed Watson on leave. Schulte says Cortes will conduct an internal investigation.
Texas retail gasoline prices down 4 cents
Prices at the gasoline pump are down for the second straight week in Texas.
AAA Texas on Thursday reported the average retail gasoline cost slipped 4 cents, to settle at $2.56 a gallon. Gas prices nationally also declined, down a nickel, at $2.69 a gallon.
Fort Worth had the least expensive gasoline in Texas, at $2.52. El Paso had the most expensive gasoline, at $2.62 a gallon.
AAA Texas says demand continues to be "very soft" for gasoline in the United States.
Appeals court upholds Texas wine sales method
A federal appeals court has sided with Texas in a dispute over buying wine.
The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling allows Texas to continue regulating alcohol sales under its current system.
The California-based Specialty Wine Retailers Association had challenged the Texas law.
Spokesman Tom Wark says the recent ruling limits the ability of Texas consumers to access the wines they want, but which they cannot find in what he calls "the state's wholesaler-controlled marketplace."
Wholesalers attorney Dee Kelly, representing Glazers Wholesale Drug Co. and Republic Beverage Co., says the appeals court ruling is good for Texas and consumers.
Consumers can buy wine directly from wineries, but retailers must obtain a permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.