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Rains County judge pleads guilty to misdemeanor weapons
A Rains County Justice of the Peace, who has been involved in multiple controversies, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor firearm charge while prosecutors agreed to drop a more serious felony case related to alleged threats against a defendant.
RAINS COUNTY, Texas - A Rains County justice of the peace, who has been at the center of multiple controversies, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge after it was revealed prosecutors are dropping a separate felony case against him, county officials said.
Plea on weapons charge, felony dropped
What we know:
Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin was convicted of a misdemeanor this month in connection with a 2023 incident in which he was accused of shouldering a rifle near a window inside the Rains County Courthouse.
The charge stemmed from this photograph referenced in a criminal complaint.
Previous Rains County accusations
Big picture view:
Franklin has faced broader scrutiny in recent months. Last summer, he was arrested on accusations that he threatened to kill a defendant, Coby Wiebe, in an effort to pressure him into accepting a plea deal. Wiebe’s felony conviction was later tossed out.
"Dead men can't testify": Rains County Judge indicted after alleged threat
Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin has been criminally charged with official oppression and tampering with a witness following allegations he threatened a man to take a plea deal and coerced his chief clerk.
In a federal lawsuit filed against Franklin, Rains County and then-County Judge Linda Wallace, Wiebe alleges a "coordinated campaign of judicial abuse." Wallace was later arrested on accusations that she coerced a county clerk to withhold testimony related to Franklin’s case.
Jury selection in Wallace’s felony trial is expected to begin in two weeks.
The Legal Fallout
Dig deeper:
According to court officials, prosecutors disclosed during a hearing last week that they are dropping the felony charge against Franklin related to the alleged death threat. During the same hearing, Franklin accepted a plea deal on the misdemeanor firearm charge.
Rains County Judge indicted on felony witness tampering charges
Rains County Judge Linda Wallace faces felony witness tampering charges, accused of attempting to coerce a clerk in a case involving a fellow judge who himself faces charges related to official oppression and tampering.
A federal judge has paused Wiebe’s civil lawsuit against Franklin, Wallace and the county until the related criminal cases conclude.
What's next:
A special prosecutor from Van Zandt County, Tonda Curry, was appointed to handle the case. She did not respond to multiple requests for comments on why the felony charge was dismissed.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4's David Sentendrey and Rains County court documents.