Executive Summary
- Jasper County grand jury indicts Justin Eddins on three new 3rd-degree felony charges.
- Allegations include bank fraud, tampering with evidence, and timber theft.
- Eddins faces prior indictments in San Augustine and Sabine counties.
- Defense attorney asserts the financial discrepancies are a misunderstanding.
A Jasper County grand jury has indicted former Texas game warden and "Lone Star Law" personality Justin Charles Eddins on three new felony charges, marking the third county to bring allegations against him in recent months. The indictments, handed down Friday, add to a growing list of legal challenges for the 47-year-old former law enforcement officer.
According to court documents, Eddins faces charges of making a false statement to obtain property or credit valued between $30,000 and $150,000, tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair an investigation, and harvesting standing timber valued between $20,000 and $100,000. All three charges are classified as third-degree felonies.
The indictments allege that Eddins provided a materially false statement to Southside Bank by failing to disclose personal debt while attempting to secure significant loans. Furthermore, prosecutors accuse Eddins of destroying text messages to hinder the investigation and harvesting timber without the owner’s effective consent.
These new charges follow a series of legal actions across East Texas. Court records indicate that a San Augustine County grand jury indicted Eddins in October 2025 for making false statements to a bank, allegedly using another person’s credit information to secure loans. In November 2025, a Sabine County grand jury indicted him on three counts related to false statements to obtain credit.
Eddins, who served with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for 24 years, was relieved of his duties following the initial indictments. His attorney, Bill Morian Jr., has maintained his client’s innocence regarding the financial allegations. In a statement to 12News, Morian described the situation as a "misunderstanding, not a crime," and emphasized that Eddins denies any intent to defraud.
Judicial Implications
The accumulation of indictments across Jasper, San Augustine, and Sabine counties significantly expands the scope of the prosecution, potentially complicating the defense strategy regarding venue and evidence consolidation. The ongoing investigation by the Texas Rangers indicates a coordinated effort to address alleged financial improprieties spanning multiple jurisdictions. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
