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On Sunday and Monday, Nolan County Sheriff James Villanueva and members of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office partnered with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, telecommunicators, and other emergency-response partners for specialized ALERRT AAIR training. The exercise focused on improving communication and coordination among agencies during an active attack or active-shooter event and was conducted to meet the requirem

Sheriff James E. Villanueva and Chief Deputy Brock Carter are pictured with USG staff members. The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office wants to give a big thank you to our friends at USG for bringing us some delicious BBQ brisket today! We truly appreciate you thinking of our first responders and taking the time to do something special for us. The brisket was great, but the thought behind it means even more. We’re lucky to live and work in a community where people look out for one

This morning at the Nolan County Commissioners Court meeting, we had the pleasure of recognizing several outstanding county employees during a service award presentation. A total of eight Nolan County employees were honored for their dedication and years of service. We were especially proud to see the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office well represented, with employees receiving awards. These recognitions reflect the hard work, commitment, and professionalism shown by these employe

Sheriff Villanueva presents Corporal Mulanax with her new stripes. Sheriff James Villanueva is proud to announce the promotion of Jailer Amber Mulanax to the rank of Jail Corporal at the Nolan County Jail. Corporal Mulanax has served with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office for nearly eight years, demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to public safety. Her promotion reflects the trust and confidence placed in her by Sheriff Villanueva and the leader

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the launch of its new Detention Excellence Recognition Program. This initiative is designed to twice yearly recognize the exceptional hard work, dedication, and invaluable efforts put forth by the support staff and detention officers assigned to the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division. The program shines a spotlight on those who go above and beyond to maintain the safety, security, and high standards of the f

Nolan County, Texas — Deputies with the Nolan County Sheriff's Office responded to assist the Sweetwater Police Department with an officer-involved shooting early this morning, June 15, 2026. Responding officers located the suspect, and additional shots were fired. All officers are safe and uninjured. The suspect is deceased. The scene is secure, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. This is an active and ongoing investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers. No furthe

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office is proud to welcome Tasha Baxter to our Mental Health Division. Baxter brings valuable experience in both education and mental health care services. In her role as Mental Health Counselor, she will provide comprehensive mental health resources and support services to the jail population. Her duties will include conducting mental health assessments, offering crisis intervention, providing supportive guidance, and ensuring continued care for in

Yesterday, Nolan County deputies responded to a major incident on Interstate Twenty at the 239-mile post, involving an overturned tractor trailer hauling horses. As a result of the crash, numerous horses escaped onto the interstate and surrounding properties, creating a dangerous and fast-moving situation for both motorists and the animals involved. Our deputies, alongside our law enforcement partners and local fire crews, worked tirelessly for hours to safely contain and rou

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Nolan County Renewal Project (NCRP), a local nonprofit based in Sweetwater, for their generous donation of $10,000 each to the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office and the Sweetwater Police Department.These funds will help offset costs associated with transporting people experiencing mental health crises to appropriate treatment facilities. During today’s City of Sweetwater Council meeting, Stacy Boil, President of the NCRP who also serve

On Friday, May 1, 2026, Sheriff James Villanueva officially swore in Jasey Rice as the newest Detention Officer. Surrounded by her colleagues, she proudly took the oath of office and was presented with her badge. Jasey joins the agency with prior experience as a detention officer, bringing valuable knowledge and skills that will strengthen daily operations. We are proud to welcome Detention Officer Rice to our team and look forward to her service.

The Nolan County Jail has successfully completed a limited compliance review conducted by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, with no deficiencies identified. During the review, multiple operational areas were thoroughly examined, including inspection certifications, equipment maintenance records, and training documentation covering facility safety, medical services, inmate management, and staffing and administrative procedures. This comprehensive evaluation was conducted

Investigators with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division recently concluded a series of compliance checks targeting local game rooms, working in coordination with the Roscoe Police Department and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The inspections, conducted over the past two weeks, focused on the Golden Dragon game room in Roscoe and the Diamond Knights game room in Sweetwater. During the operation, investigators identified multiple violati

If you noticed an increased presence of law enforcement personnel yesterday, rest assured there was no cause for concern unless you have outstanding warrants or are engaged in illegal activity. On Friday, April 10, 2026 the Nolan County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division led a coordinated enforcement effort known as the “Where’s Waldo” operation, working in partnership with multiple agencies, including the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Texa

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, a Nolan County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling along U.S. Highway 84 for a traffic violation. A secondary deputy arrived on scene to assist, and during the roadside investigation, the driver identified as Raymond Ornelas Jr. of Snyder, was taken into custody. As the investigation continued, deputies discovered over three pounds of Methamphetamine, along with a quantity of Promethazine, inside Ornelas’ vehicle. He was subseque

James Villanueva, Sheriff of Nolan County, along with Jail Administrator Marsha Harris and Jail Sergeant Israel Vera, proudly announce the graduation of three detention officers from Basic Corrections Officer Training at West Central Texas Law Enforcement Academy in Abilene. Jail Administrator Marsha Harris and Detention Officer Jacob Lopez Jail Corporal Jerry "JC" Watts and Detention Officer Daniel Mendoza Jail Sergeant Israel Vera and Detention Officer Hanna Vera Jacob Lope

Sheriff James Villanueva is proud to announce the promotion of Aaron Castillo from Jailer to Jail Corporal at the Nolan County Jail. Corporal Castillo has demonstrated strong work ethic, professionalism, and a commitment to the safety and security of the facility. His dedication to his duties and the respect he has earned from both his peers and supervisors have prepared him well for this leadership role. As a Jail Corporal, he will take on additional supervisory responsibili

Nolan County Detention Officers continue to receive ongoing training to ensure they are prepared to respond to a wide range of situations. Most recently, officers completed training on the proper administration of Narcan, a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. This training is part of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office’s continued commitment to safety, preparedness, and professional development. By equipping detention officers with the knowledge and skil

During the Nolan County Commissioners Court meeting held this morning, a service award presentation was conducted to recognize county employees for their dedication and years of service. A total of seven Nolan County employees were honored during the presentation. The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office was well represented, with three employees receiving service awards. Deputy Sheriff Daniel King was recognized for his 15 years of service to Nolan County. Deputy Sheriff Randall Ro

Roads are expected to become dangerous or impassable due to ice, snow, and freezing rain. Deputies and other area law enforcement, including work crews will be out in force this weekend to respond to crashes and weather-related emergencies as icy conditions develop on roadways. Despite increased patrols, the Nolan County Sheriff's Office strongly urges everyone to stay off the roads and avoid becoming stranded. For those who must travel, below are some basic tips on how to pr

The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff James E. Villanueva, announces key accomplishments and milestones from 2025. The year brought strengthened public safety programs, operational improvements, successful investigations, expanded community outreach, and investments in training and technology that together enhanced service to Nolan County residents. Key 2025 highlights. From January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Of