Tyler

By KENNETH DEAN and CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writers

After facing seven felony charges and three misdemeanors following a lengthy investigation by the Department of Public Safety into his security company, Smith County Constable Henry Jackson agreed to plea deals for two misdemeanor charges Monday.

If he completes the terms of the agreement, he will not have a criminal record.

Jackson, 55, was to be tried this week in County Court-at-Law Judge Randall Rogers’ court for the first of three misdemeanor official oppression charges that alleged he sexually harassed female employees.

Jackson was indicted earlier this year on seven felony counts of tampering with governmental records for allegedly making false entries from August 2006 through February 2008 in records for his company Fail Safe Security Agency.

Jackson will serve no time in jail for the two charges, and will pay fines totaling $1,500.

All other felony and misdemeanor charges Jackson faced have been disposed of, including a charge related to allegedly working security for his company with a suspended license.

Special Prosecutor Tonda Curry said of the official oppression cases that she felt good about the outcome and that she was concerned if a jury would have believed Jackson was acting as a constable or as the owner of Fail Safe Security, which he owns.

“I am pleased because I think it’s a compromise for both sides. There were risks on both sides as far as going to trial,” she said.

According to the agreement between Jackson’s attorneys and Curry, Jackson will complete six months of probation and 200 hours of community service and be able to once again carry a firearm to perform his duties as a constable.

Updated Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. CDT

Constable Henry Jackson (foreground) pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges this morning, and was fined $100.
(Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero)