MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara has been named to lead the Central Texas Operation Lone Star Task Force, with the intention of fighting "transnational criminal activity" in Central Texas.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Feb. 21, leaders of Lone Star Task Force divisions from across the state of Texas asked McNamara to lead the Central Texas division of the task force, as they look to expand the task force across the state.
McNamara was joined at the conference by Sheriff Roy Boyd of Goliad County who McNamara said was one of the people who originated the Lone Star Task Force.
Boyd stated that the task force is looking for law enforcement leaders who have "a proven track record of the ability to handle large-scale operations and the understanding to know the totality of what is going on and the impacts that transnational criminal activity has on the citizens within our communities" as they spread the task force across the state.
Operation Lone Star was started by Gov. Greg Abbott, integrating the Texas Military Department with the Texas Department of Public Safety to "deploy border security assets to high-threat areas to deny criminal organizations the ability to illegally move drugs and people into Texas", according to the Texas Military Department.
Boyd stated the Operation Lone Star Task Force currently encompasses 28 local law enforcement agencies, partnering with Texas DPS, Parks and Wildlife, Border Patrol, the Department of Homeland Security, the Texas Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard.
McNamara stated his department has been sending one of its helicopters to the border to assist law enforcement. Boyd said McNamara was chosen for the role thanks to his "willingness to help out with [the task force's] operations down at the border" and his "dedication to law and order".
Boyd stated one of the task force's areas of concern is the I-35 corridor, which is why McNamara was asked to lead the agency in the area.
"We're so honored here to be part of this task force and I can assure you we will do everything we possibly can to do our part in stopping this horrible, horrible situation on the border and not just at the border, but all the drugs, narcotics, cartel, everything coming up the I-35 corridor," McNamara said.
McNamara and Boyd both stated the new title will not affect McNamara's responsibilities as McLennan County Sheriff.
"This is another way we're going to be serving the people of McLennan County," McNamara said.
McNamara and Boyd said stopping crime along the border or the I-35 corridor will help McLennan County and other local communities.
"The efforts that we do are predominantly in our home counties and around," Boyd stated. "We come together, we share our resources, and we work on those problems predominantly right there within our own region to help each other out and to keep our community safe.
As part of the task force, McNamara said the McLennan County Sheriff's Office will focus primarily on things like narcotics and human trafficking, as well as stepping up interdiction efforts along the highway.
McNamara was also joined at the conference by Sheriff Greg Capers of San Jacinto County, the lead agency for the Greater Houston Task Force; Sheriff Jim Stewart of Wilson County, who leads the Operation Lone Star Western Division; Commander Caleb Breshears, who McNamara said is the commander of all Operation Lone Star Task Forces throughout Texas; State Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson and Pat Curry, a McLennan County businessman running for Texas House District 56.
The full news conference can be watched below or at this link.
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