East Texas

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

JACKSONVILLE — Wednesday morning, police arrested a man involved with the House of Israel for the second time in the past few weeks, said Jacksonville police investigator Daniel Franklin.

Robert Fox was out on $60,000 bond after police first arrested him for possession of dangerous drugs and controlled substances during a May 28 raid. Police returned to the House of Israel on Main Street with new arrest and search warrants Wednesday for Fox’s alleged role in practicing law without a license.

Unlike the previous two searches of the building in which police forced their way into the building, Fox answered the door after a few knocks on the front door, Daniels said. Fox was taken into custody and police confiscated computers and numerous documents investigators believe will further their investigation into Fox’s involvement in illegal activities, Daniels said. He said much of the evidence found during Fox’s previous arrest for thousands of illegal pills inside the property led police to the new charges.

Paperwork found inside the building implicates Fox in giving legal advice to mostly incarcerated individuals or family members for “fees,” Daniels said. Daniels said Fox accepted money for “helping” individuals on at least 20 to 30 criminal and civil cases throughout the country, including in New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania.

Assistant Chief John Page called some of the fees “significant amounts,” but could not go into detail because of the ongoing investigation.

Police are also investigating Fox’s past. A Canadian national here legally, Fox changed his name from Robert Fotti to Robert Fox, according to police. They believe, but have not confirmed at this time, that Fox may have changed his name to avoid arrest in Canada and other states within the U.S.

Fox remains in jail on $30,000 bond for two counts of unauthorized practice of law.

The pills, ranging from antibiotics and painkillers, found inside the complex during the previous raid may be linked to a man who had been arrested for practicing dentistry without a license in the same building.