An investigation by the Austin County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit into suspected “jugging” activity resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the detention of a juvenile following a traffic stop near the Austin and Colorado county line.
According to the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, investigators had been monitoring individuals suspected of involvement in multiple jugging offenses. Jugging is a form of theft in which suspects watch individuals leaving banks or other businesses and follow them before stealing cash or other valuables from the victim or their vehicle.
Investigators were also monitoring a vehicle reportedly linked to a Houston-area group associated with catalytic converter thefts and jugging offenses.
During the investigation, the individuals traveled to the New Braunfels area. As they returned toward Houston, the vehicle was stopped on Interstate 10 near the Colorado County-Austin County line by the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office. Austin County Sheriff’s Office investigators were present and continued to lead the investigation.
Authorities subsequently determined the individuals were allegedly connected to an open theft investigation being conducted by the Pflugerville Police Department involving a Best Buy location.
Investigators also determined the group had allegedly just left the scene of a smash-and-grab theft at a Best Buy in New Braunfels. According to the Sheriff’s Office, merchandise valued at nearly $8,000 was stolen during that incident. The New Braunfels Police Department is investigating that case.
Three individuals were arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity:
- Jayden Devon Actkins, born May 16, 2007
- Fredrick Cortez Graham, born Oct. 14, 2008
- Christopher Michael Gordon, born Aug. 24, 2007
A fourth individual, identified as a juvenile, was also taken into custody.
Actkins, Graham and Gordon were booked into the Colorado County Jail without incident. The juvenile was booked into a Comal County juvenile facility.
Under Texas law, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity applies when a person, with the required intent to participate in a combination or certain other criminal organizations, commits or conspires to commit specified crimes, including theft, robbery, burglary and burglary of a motor vehicle.
The exact punishment range for an organized criminal activity charge depends on the underlying alleged offense and other circumstances of the case.
The reported value of the merchandise allegedly stolen in the New Braunfels incident — nearly $8,000 — also places that theft within Texas’ felony range. Under the Texas Penal Code, theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 is generally a state jail felony. A state jail felony carries a potential punishment of 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction.
Additional theft charges related to the New Braunfels incident are pending, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Austin County Sheriff’s Office credited the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office, Sealy Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, Pflugerville Police Department and New Braunfels Police Department for their assistance and cooperation during the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional charges may be filed.
Actkins, Graham, Gordon and the juvenile are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
