Update Nov. 12, 2020:
James Edward Elliott, 58, of El Campo, was pronounced dead in the Bomarton Cemetery near his hometown of Seymour at 12:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 by Baylor County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Rick Jeter. Preliminary autopsy result indicate he died from gunshot wounds to the chest and head.
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A former Wharton County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was under investigation has taken his own life, according to sources close to the matter.
It was reported on Saturday, Nov. 7 that James Edward Elliott, 58, of El Campo, allegedly committed suicide, pending a formal investigation.
Elliott was under investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Texas Attorney General’s Office following allegations of continuous sexual abuse of a child.
According to the Agreed Protective Order issued before the 329th District Court on Aug. 17:
“It is unlawful for any person who is subject to a protective order to knowingly purchase, rent, lease or receive as a loan or gift from another a handgun for the duration of this order.
“It is unlawful for any person, other than a peace officer as defined by section 1.07, penal code, actively engaged in employment as a sworn, full-time paid employee of a state agency or political subdivision, who is subject to a protective order to possess a firearm or ammunition.
“Possession of a firearm while this protective order is in effect may be a felony under federal law punishable by up to ten years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.”
Elliott is survived by his wife, Misty Jensen Elliott, who was indicted on Aug. 4 for abandoning or endangering a child, criminal negligence. On Oct. 20, she entered a plea of not guilty to the crime.
The County Gin will continue to report information as it becomes available.
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one or would like emotional support, contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255.
Coward…
I didn’t know Mr Elliot but I personal believe this so called story should not have invalid information about someone. The man has not been arrested or charged in this so called hearsay charge. The man has 2 daughters that will never have the chance to see there dad again. Think about that before casting stones. If you want to post stuff like this then know the facts about the case. Oh that’s right no one knows the facts just hearsay. So I hope this mans daughters sues y’all for slander because y’all aren’t reporting facts just reporting what you think as your opinion. Facts go further then yalls opinions. You can’t be convicted of hearsay. In this country you have to have physical evidence and I guarantee you there isn’t any. This is what’s wrong with this country and the so called media /news. Becareful of throwing stones when your lives aren’t squeaky clean. Maybe someone falsely access y’all of something bad in the future.
There were no opinions shared, only facts from personnel files, investigations, court hearings and dockets. It’s very sad that this case did not make its way through the judicial system, but ultimately, he ‘pulled the trigger’ so to speak. His life, actions and death were all in his own hands. I am sorry for the daughters that he did not allegedly assault and their loss and for the people that cared for him. But I rejoice for those that he continually hurt.
where are the convictions of assaulting a child? In America your innocent until proven in a court of law by your peers guilty. Yes he had a history of poor choice but he never touched a child. His ex wife had a daughter in which James never touched. He’s never been convicted of any sexual charges but was reprimand for misconduct at work. His daughters are the ones that are hurting along with his family. But we have idiots that know no truth just hearsay. If James really assaulted this girl that made the accusations don’t you think he would have been arrested a long time ago instead of having a grand jury seal the charges that they said he did. What is the grand jury hiding. This is and should be public record. This girl everyone is referencing as a child is actually a adult 19 yrs old and try extorting James and her mom misty. So know your facts before casting stones. Because your not perfect and just maybe those same stones you throw will bounce back and hit you. So have some respect for his daughters and James immediate family. Y’all heartless bastards.
I must not have read the same articles as you, DJ. Everything I see here is strictly statement of fact – facts obtained by requesting public documents and reporting on the indictment, making very clear these wrongdoings were “alleged,” and not proven. The Gin even added a special note at the top of the indictment story noting he is innocent until proven guilty. Where are you seeing opinion or stones being thrown? It’s just journalism backed up by official records. You seem to be close to the matter, so I can understand the frustration. However, the story isn’t some opinionated hit piece or rumor mill trash. It’s unbiased reporting about the indictment and Elliott’s documented history of sexual misconduct. Perhaps you saw the article shared on social media alongside the stone throwing and gossip of which you speak? You realize that’s not the same as the official story taking a biased approach?
You can’t convict when some kills themselves, right? He knew exactly what he was doing. You’re saying get your facts straight, when you have only hearsay!!! How about you do the same?!
Everyone gets their day in court, except the man who decided to kill HIMSELF. He sealed his own fate.
You’re not sorry for his other two daughters at all. Your flippant “pulled the trigger” comment proved that. But hey, you made a clever pun. Good for you.
He was indicted for a crime and police were looking for him to arrest him.
Someone told him police were looking for him.
I agree with DJ. You are innocent until proven guilty in this country. Unfortunately with the media as soon as people see the story especially sexual allegations you’re guilty until proven innocent in people’s minds becuase their idiots. Media reporting anything other then guilty verdicts are a huge problem in this country. You need to look at it from James eyes he lost his job in 2018 and was a long term law enforcement officer. Then he deals with this accusation getting out in public and people around the small county hear about it and automatically start assuming you’re a pedophile or abuser of children in TX of all places. A man can be ruined with this accusation in this country as those things follow you forever. It’s horrible and horrendous and an easy attack on a man. Put yourself in this man’s shoes and the hell he was going through especially living in a small community. I believe laws need to be put in place to prevent reporting unless there is a guilty verdict.
It appears that the accused was concerned that if convicted of the charges the least amount of prison time he could get would be 25years in the Texas Dept. of Corrections. He was looking at mandatory 25-99 year sentence if convicted.
DJ and BM’s comment is on point. Mr. Elliott’s life was over once those allegations were brought up thanks to the media. Unfortunately, the truth will never be known because even without any physical evidence a person can be found guilty without a reasonable doubt. Very sad & my heart goes out to everyone involved including the stepdaughter who was allegedly abused. Mrs. Elliott should have protected her daughter better.
He knew what he was doing he just didn’t want to have to face the consequences and yes it’s a very sad situation God bless his family
Truth and facts ? How about we give someone the decency of a fair trial before we agree to condemn a man based on allegations. The publisher of this article and the previous doesn’t care about his daughters or grandsons who are old enough to understand what happened. They don’t care about fair reporting because if they did they would’ve reported on the numerous allegations against the “victims” own step mother and biological father as well. All of you casting stones need to make sure your glass houses are polished up nicely.
Kudos to the County Gin for their investigative reporting of just the facts without opinions. If every media outlet would do the same we would all be better off. Mr. Elliott knew exactly what he was doing and he made his OWN decision in how to deal with it. Both the Wharton Co. District Attorney & Sheriff’s Office did the right thing by removing themselves from the investigation. Persons are innocent until proven guilty, however, probable cause is required to secure a Grand Jury indictment. Twelve of our fellow citizens, who saw the evidence, believed enough happened to warrant a trial regarding the allegations. Lets not beat up on the messengers for doing their civic duty. Had Mr. Elliott decided to have a trial the truth would have come out, he alone made his decision.
Good for whomever is approving these comments. Typical biased bulls**t. Post EVERYONES comments . Not just what fits your narratives.
Oh really Bob….so you carried on a conversation with Mr Elliot??? Or, are you speaking of how you would deal with the situation.
I knew / worked with the Officer Elliot. He was..is…a good man. For him to have done any crime he was accused of….it’s so out of his character. He wasn’t that type of man.
Image, you devoted your whole life to protecting and serving your community. Then, you’re accused of an unforgivable act. You loose your job, your retirement, the respect of many in your community ( remember, we’ve become a society of stone throwers…guilty automatically), your wife is pulled into the ALLEGED accusations. His 2 daughters/ other family are having to hear the accusations. As, I’m willing to bet…..,to an innocent man , this was devastating. Sadly, he chose the wrong way to deal with it. It wasn’t because of 25 years in jail. If anything…it was to save his family from all the hatefilled/ judgemental guilty before proven innocent looks/ stares/ and accusations of his own community …the people he served and protected. My prayers go out to his family.
I honestly think the truth will one day come out. In my line of work….I’ve seen cases such as this. Men’s lives have been destroyed before the truth comes out. I think this will be one of those cases.
Now the Country Gin listing the charges that could be filed against Mr Elliot… Seriously?? For a person to be in a state of mind to take his life….have some compassion. I don’t think Wharton County will be issuing warrants for Probation Violations. Sad.
“Nice man” and “out of character” are common phrases people state about cluster B individuals (antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder , narcissistic personality disorder – or simply put your average sociopath or psychopath) before they are found guilty. May wanna read up on those, Trish?
Oh really Bob….so you carried on a conversation with Mr Elliot??? Or, are you speaking of how you would deal with the situation.
I knew / worked with the Officer Elliot. He was..is…a good man. For him to have done any crime he was accused of….it’s so out of his character. He wasn’t that type of man.
Image, you devoted your whole life to protecting and serving your community. Then, you’re accused of an unforgivable act. You loose your job, your retirement, the respect of many in your community ( remember, we’ve become a society of stone throwers…guilty automatically), your wife is pulled into the ALLEGED accusations. His 2 daughters/ other family are having to hear the accusations. As, I’m willing to bet…..,to an innocent man , this was devastating. Sadly, he chose the wrong way to deal with it. It wasn’t because of 25 years in jail. If anything…it was to save his family from all the hatefilled/ judgemental guilty before proven innocent looks/ stares/ and accusations of his own community …the people he served and protected. My prayers go out to his family.
I honestly think the truth will one day come out. In my line of work….I’ve seen cases such as this. Men’s lives have been destroyed before the truth comes out. I think this will be one of those cases.
I dealt with a similar case. Cost the man about $40,000 and 2 years of his life before the truth came out. His daughter finally told the truth. Can you imagine?? I watched this man slowly become a shell of himself. So, just because a person is charged doesn’t mean “”his peers”” know the whole story.
Now the Country Gin listing the charges that could be filed against Mr Elliot… Seriously?? For a person to be in a state of mind to take his life….have some compassion. I don’t think Wharton County will be issuing warrants for Probation Violations. Sad.
No, Trish, I did not talk to Mr. Elliott but it is certain he made the decision to end his own life instead of defending himself. That was his choice no one made it for him. As for you working with him maybe you should have seen the warning signs of his past sexual harassment type behavior but it appears that you chose to overlook that. I never said the Grand Jury KNEW the whole story but they did know enough to feel that it warranted a trial. A trial would have gotten to the truth. Sad situation but those are the facts and sometimes facts are hard to accept.