A top political aide to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was arrested and released from jail Friday after allegations that he stole money from.
Political aide to Texas agriculture commissioner arrested Follow Us
Question of the Day
By - Associated Press - Friday, May 7, 2021
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A top political aide to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was arrested and released from jail Friday after allegations that he stole money from investors looking to join the state’s new hemp industry.
Todd Smith is charged with third-degree felony theft, according to court records. He is a longtime political consultant to Miller, whose department issues licenses to grow hemp, which became legal in Texas in 2019.
Both Smith and a spokesperson for Miller did not immediately return messages.
Texas political consultant accused in scheme to swap money, campaign contributions for hemp permits
Todd M. Smith, who was arrested Thursday, is a political consultant for state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
Dried hemp plants are sorted and trimmed at Hepworth Farms in Milton, N.Y., Monday, April 12, 2021. Farmers dealing with depressed prices for plants that produce CBD extract are eager to take part in a statewide marijuana market expected to generate billions of dollars a year once retail sales start. They already know how to grow and process cannabis plants, since hemp is essentially the same plant with lower levels of THC, marijuana s active ingredient. Now they re waiting on rules that will allow them to switch seeds. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)(Seth Wenig)
Father of teen found dead in Texas shares son s struggles with mental health
The teen is the third person found dead at a recycling center in the Austin area this year, according to a local ABC affiliate.
Posted: May 6, 2021 5:36 PM
Updated: May 7, 2021 12:41 PM
Posted By: Connor McCarthy
EUGENE, Ore. The father of 18-year-old Silas Strimple, who was found dead at a Texas recycling center, says his son battled mental health issues for years leading up to his death.
Skutch Lucika believes his son s mental health issues, combined with the lack of services, contributed to his death. He said Strimple started to live a transient lifestyle and ended up living in Texas with a friend.
Inmate dies at Travis County Correctional Complex
By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team
Published
AUSTIN, Texas - An investigation is now underway after an inmate died Friday night at the Travis County Correctional Complex.
The Travis County Sheriff s Office says that a corrections officer was conducting visual checks on April 30 when they noticed 39-year-old Nicholas Vanwhye of Austin was unresponsive in his cell.