Brown County Sheriff’s officials confirmed that 49-year-old Donnie Barnum, former Brown County Constable of precinct 1, turned himself in Wednesday night after a motion to revoke Barnum’s felony probation was issued.
Barnum was convicted April 27, 2006 for the offense of Tamper Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair (a felony) for which he was found “guilty as charged and punishment assessed at 10 years confinement in Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division and a fine of $5200,” according to court documents. Upon his conviction, Barnum was granted probation in lieu of confinement on conditions which included that he not commit any offense against the laws of Texas or any State or of the United States, documents state.
Barnum was on probation when he, according to court documents (a motion to revoke and amended motion to revoke), violated the terms of his probation.
The documents state that on or about the 3rd day of February of 2009 the defendant violated a condition of his probation by committing the offense of Conspire to Circumvent Secret Deliberations in Brown County, Texas. It further states that on or about the 9th day of November, Barnum also violated a condition of probation by committing the offense of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 10 times by having in his possession a Smith and Wesson .357, a Smith and Wesson .45, a Browning 9mm, a Jennings .22, a Glock 9mm, a Ruger .22, a Marlin 22 mag., a Marlin 30-30, a Norinco MAK 47 and a Winchester .22.
Barnum is to appear in court, possibly as early as next week, according to officials in the District Attorney’s office. According to court documents, Barnum is given a chance to appear in court to prove a reason why probation should not be revoked; otherwise he may face 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division, the same as the original judgment of conviction.
Barnum’s original conviction in 2006 was related to a man who won a small judgment from Barnum in a pay dispute. Prosecutors said in the 2006 trial that Barnum assaulted the man at his home and moved evidence in an attempt to mislead investigators.
Barnum remained in custody of the Brown County Jail as of Thursday morning according to jail records.
