Tom Maddox is the sheriff of Sabine County, Texas, and by the accounts of both the NAACP and the New Black Panther Nation, he is a major issue. Both groups agree when it comes to Sherriff Maddox there is an issue of credibility and impartiality. Sabine County has a population of around 10,433, according to 2012 census reports. Located 130 miles from Houston, in 2013 its unemployment rate was 14 percent, which means nearly 1,900 people were unemployed. In a town that small you get to know people and Alfred Wright and his wife were known as an interracial couple. In a place like Sabine County that did not sit well with a lot of people. Why is this important? Because there was another interracial couple in the area who may have a shared connection.
Three weeks before Alfred Wright disappeared; Sheela Bennett reported that her husband was rear ended near the CL & M Grocery, Inc “Package Store”, the same store that Alfred Wright was last seen. When her husband got out of the truck he was jumped by 2 white men who were yelling racial slurs. The day after she heard about Wright’s disappearance she went to Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox. As she was explaining her story to Maddox and a possible connection, the sheriff stopped her and told her the two had nothing to do with one another. He then escorted out of his office and said “This boy has done this to himself.” Bennett was shocked and later told her story to KSLA News 12 in Texas.
Further calling into question the impartiality of the sheriff is the accusation by New Black Panther Nation leader Bro. Quanell X that the Sheriff’s son is the biggest Meth dealer in Sabine County. When asked on what he based this accusation Bro. Quanell X stated that it was based on the sheriff’s son 3 arrests. Per Bro. Quanell X’s statements the sheriff’s son was arrested twice for distribution, and once again for distribution and possession of drug paraphernalia. The drug problem in the Jasper area is so bad that on January 23rd, 2014 a joint task force of Jasper Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s office along with agents from Homeland Security, D.E.A., United States Marshall Service, Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a series of arrests on a drug ring. The undercover operation had been going on for several months and resulted in the arrests so far of twenty five people, drugs, cash and weapons. Sabine County and Jasper County are 30 minute from each other but there was no mention if the Sheriff Maddox’s office participated in the investigation.
One of the most disturbing facts that have been revealed about Maddox was his behavior during the Wright investigation coming from multiple sources. The NAACP, New Black Panther Nation and the Wright family all agree that Maddox could have and should have been more helpful. His calling off the search after 4 days and failure to gather testimony and secure crime scenes were considered by all parties involved to be outrageous. But perhaps the most disturbing thing is the circumstances surrounding the place and discovery of Wright’s body. NBPP leader Bro. Quanell X stated during multiple interviews with various news sources that the Sheriff Maddox was not to be trusted. Bro. Quanell X has stated that when the search party wanted to look in n area that was circled the Maddox was adamant in his denial of the request. “He claimed that he had searched by air, ATV and foot in the area thoroughly and found nothing. He also stated that he spoke to the owner of the land and the owner would not give his consent for a search.” That was not the case it was found out by all involved. Bor. Quanell X went on to state “We took it upon ourselves to speak to the owner of the land and ask his permission. Not only did he give his permission but he also stated that he never spoke to the sheriff about the Wright family request. Within 40 minutes of our search we found Mr. Wright’s body.” How could Sheriff Maddox and his team miss Wright’s body it was 75 yards from the command post and 1 mile from where Wright’s truck had broken down on the road?
While the investigation was under Maddox’s control no written testimony was taken from the family members, people who saw Wright last or the people who discovered Wright’s body. In addition per repeated sources Wright’s truck was never secured as a crime scene. Can we trust Sheriff Tom Maddox for the truth? Apparently the US Justice Department has its doubts also because the federal agency is now in charge of the case at the behest of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Rep. Lee was approached by the head of the Texas Chapter of the NAACP attorney Gary Bledsoe, who explained the situation. It was through the efforts of the Texas NAACP through Gary Bledsoe’s tireless effort that this case reached the federal level and a Justice Department investigation opened.
