Anti-government group leader is indicted April 27 by Cherokee County Grand Jury

A member of an anti-government group known as the House of Israel was indicted last week by a Cherokee County Grand Jury.

Robert James Fox was indicted on charges of tampering with a government record and simulating a legal process.

Tampering with a government record is a state jail felony.

District Attorney Elmer Beckworth praised the investigative efforts by the Jacksonville Police Dept. "The indictment is the result of hard work by the JPD."

Mr. Fox also faces misdemeanor charges in Cherokee County and is being prosecuted by Cherokee County Attorney Craig Caldwell.

Jacksonville City Attorney Bret Brewer prosecuted and convicted another member or sympathizer, David Baugh, for a class C misdemeanor, failure to identify in municipal court.

The group's anti-government stance has placed them in juxtaposition with the law.

Another member of this organization, Barry Brooks, was tried and convicted of practicing dentistry without a license in 2007. He is currently serving seven years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison.

House of Israel sympathizers of Mr. Fox and Mr. Brooks have engaged in unusual activities in Cherokee, Collin and Williamson counties, said Mr. Beckworth.

Other members of this group face charges in Collin County for tampering with a governmental record and simulating a legal process.

"I have done extensive legal research (on this organization,)" said Mr. Beckworth. "I have consulted with first assistant district attorney of Williamson County and the prosecutors in Collin County concerning the legal issues with this group's activities. I have also consulted with the attorney general's office."

In separate incidents, charges of barratry against Mr. Fox and tampering with a governmental record against Baugh were brought to the District Attorney's office.

Barratry is a term used to describe repeated legal actions designed to harass, and frequently have no merit.

The barratry case was declined and Mr. Baugh was no billed by the grand jury.

Jacksonville Mayor Robert Haberle met with Mr. Beckworth during the review of the cases on Mr. Fox and Mr. Baugh.

He requested that the cases be prosecuted more aggressively.

Mr. Beckworth said, "We are handling these matters in are aggressive manner and considering each case consistent with the evidence presented to the district attorney's office and the law applicable to that evidence."

Mayor Haberle told the Cherokeean Herald by telephone Tuesday morning, "We all have jobs and I try to represent the community as every elected official does. We are all opened to public view and are trying to look after the best interest of everyone.

"Our police department brings good cases and some are not looked at. I trust the system and hope that the system will work to do a good job looking after the people of Jacksonville."