Constable Arrests Stausing, Charges Organized Crime

West Tawakoni Mayor Bill Stausing was arrested Thursday afternoon, Jan. 24, and later charged with a single felony charge of Engaging in Organized Crime.

The arrest carried the charge of Conspiracy that according the Texas Penal Code involves three or more persons.

Stausing was arrested by Hunt County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Jim Davenport. Stausing was taken to the Hunt County Criminal Justice Center where he appeared before Hunt County Justice of the Peace James "Sarge" Erwin.

Stausing was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Shortly after his release, Stausing told The Quinlan-Tawakoni News, "The charges are trumped up, and there are people out to get me."

He declined further comment until a statement could be prepared by his attorney.

West Tawakoni Police Chief Jack Schultz said he would prefer to refer all questions to the office of Constable Cullen Smith as his department was not involved in the arrest.

He said several homes in West Tawakoni were under observation of the coming and going of possibly suspicious persons including the Stausing home in the Rainbow Cove addition of West Tawakoni.

West Tawakoni City Administrator Cloy Richards said Friday that a called meeting had been announced for the city council and the mayor Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the *situation in a closed executive session. See related story.

Richards said under Texas Municipal Code, "We are a Type A General Law City, and a mayor can only be removed under two conditions — a resignation or an order from a district judge."

Richards said many laws and codes had been researched and that all considerations would await the Tuesday meeting. He said all city hall and other city employees were on full duty and that the city would continue as usual in all operational areas.

Constable Smith stated in a prepared release, "William Paul Stausing was arrested on a felony warrant for engaging in Organized Crime. This arrest is the result of an ongoing criminal investigation by this department into an ongoing criminal investigation by this department into an ongoing conspiracy to defraud innocent persons and legitimate businesses out of their money and property."

Smith stated the proceeds of the conspiracy were being used for personal gain and to engage in the trafficking of illegal narcotics. He said his department was working in cooperation with three other counties and that several other arrests were expected.

Smith declined further comment Friday afternoon as he said that several arrests were imminent and no further comment could be made.