BELL COUNTY, Texas — A Central Texas police chief was arrested following his indictment on theft charges stemming from his time at another department.

Buckholts Police Chief Johnny Shawn Newsom turned himself in to authorities after a Bell County grand jury indicted him on Sept. 24. The charges relate to his previous position as Holland police chief, where he was fired in January 2024 for misusing city debit cards.

The grand jury charged Newsom with theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000. The case is being prosecuted by the 27th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Bell County's 426th Judicial District Court.

Background on Newsom

Johnny Shawn Newsom previously served as police chief for Holland city for 10 years. According to the indictment, Newsom is accu

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