MCTXSheriff Announces Termination and Arrest of Deputy James Francis

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has been informed that Deputy James Francis has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with a crash that occurred in Leon County on February 21, 2024. As a result of the indictment, Francis has been placed under arrest and terminated from his employment with Montgomery County.

This is a serious matter, and the Sheriff’s Office remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and integrity. The legal process will proceed accordingly, and the agency will continue to cooperate with all relevant authorities.

Sheriff Wesley Doolittle addressed this tragic situation, stating:
"The loss of Deputy Rivette is deeply felt by all who knew and served alongside him, and the events that followed have only added to the sorrow. We stand firm in our responsibility to ensure accountability while also recognizing the gravity of this moment for everyone involved. Our thoughts are also with the individual who sustained life-altering injuries in this incident. In times like these, we must support one another, honor those we have lost, and remain steadfast in our commitment to justice and integrity."

At this time, no further information will be provided as the case is ongoing. All inquiries regarding the criminal proceedings should be directed to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Leon County District Attorney’s Office.