Local Texarkana Man Accused Of Bilking Contractor Over $260K

A federal indictment unsealed last week charges Dezmann Joseph Rice, a former employee of Texarkana-based Trumble Construction Inc. (also known as RBT Construction Inc.), with defrauding the company of over $260,000 through fraudulent invoices in 2020 and 2021.

Rice faces six counts of wire fraud in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. He was contracted to manage water tank restoration projects nationwide but allegedly submitted fake expense reports for labor, materials, and services that were never performed or purchased. The indictment claims Rice's scheme began in January 2020 and continued through March 2021, costing Trumble Construction $260,230.

Rice appeared for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Boone Baxter, where his attorney, Heath Hyde of Heath Hyde PC in Longview, Texas, entered not guilty pleas to all six counts. Judge Baxter released Rice on a $20,000 unsecured appearance bond, and a jury trial is set for July before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III.

If convicted, Rice faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud.

4 Common Ticks Found in Texas

There are actually several different types of ticks you'll find in Texas. Be careful when you go to areas where ticks may get on you, as they can carry numerous diseases.

Here are 4 common ones found in Texas according to Romney Pest Control.