Peters gets five months in federal prison

Former Jasper County Precinct 6 Constable Freddy Earl Peters has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for methamphetaminerelated charges in the Eastern District of Texas.

Peters, 60, of Evadale, was also sentenced to five months home detention with electronic monitoring by United States District Judge Thad Heartfield.

"This case is particularly disturbing in that peace officers are sworn to uphold the law, not contribute to the demise of our communities," said United States Attorney Matthew D. Orwig.

According to information presented in court, Peters, an elected constable covering the Evadale area, was arrested on July 5, 2006 for buying methamphetamine in a Silsbee motel.

According to investigators, electronic surveillance recorded the transaction, which was part of a monthlong undercover sting operation.

Peters resigned as constable following his arrest. He pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on Jan. 25.

It was the third arrest of Peters by three different Southeast Texas law enforcement agencies. The first two arrests were misdemeanors with the initial one, theft by check in Jefferson County, being dismissed after the Jasper County constable made restitution.

Peters' second arrest came June 27 in Lumberton where he was charged with public intoxication. He was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Lumberton Police Department officers.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beaumont Police Department and the Silsbee Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Rawls.