San Angelo Man Gets 18 Years in Prison For Meth and Stealing Goats

SAN ANGELO, TX - This morning, in Judge Ben Woodward's Court, Otis Layne Babb, 33, pleaded guilty to three felony charges: Possession of Controlled Substance Pg 1<1G, a state jail felony enhanced to a second degree felony, Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon, a second degree felony enhanced to habitual offender, and Theft >=10 Sheep/swine/goat <$150K, a felony enhanced to habitual. As a result of his plea deal, one of his charges was 12.45ed and he received an 18-year prison sentence.

In regards to the first charge, court documents indicated that on or about July 6, 2015, Special Agent David Stewart with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) executed a search warrant in the 1400 block of Gregory in San Angelo. At the residence, Stewart found Ricardo Flores Torres in the driveway in a black Chevrolet pickup with a female. 

"Torres was taken into custody and searched, and three small baggies of white crystal like substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, was located on Torres' person," said the complaint. 

During the search of the residence, a red and black container with one small baggie containing a white crystal like substance that showed to have a field weight of .7 grams, field tested positive for methamphetamine. The investigation uncovered that the container belonged to Babb. Therefore, he was arrested for possession.

As for the second charge, on or about Dec. 21, 2015, San Angelo Police dispatched to the 700 block of Velma St. in reference to a shots fired call. Officer Dietz was the first officer on scene and located the victim, James Carl Brown, lying on the ground in front of a residence at 1715 N. Pope. He was suffering from numerous gunshot wounds.

"The victim was transported to Shannon Medical Center for treatment," said court documents.

While at Shannon, SAPD Detective Bobby Elrod spoke with the victim, who told him he was shot by a female friend's ex-boyfriend, Layne Bagbee.

"The victim told [Elrod] that the incident had occurred outside his residence in the street," said the complaint. 

At the time of the incident, the Defendant was driving a light colored dually pickup, possibly gray in color. When Detective Elrod spoke with Officer Dietz, he learned that while the officer was en route to the scene, dispatch advised that another caller had witnessed a white Dodge dually pickup leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. The caller attempted to follow the pickup, but later lost it.

Officials attempted to identify Layne Bagbee through police records, but had no luck. However, Detective Elrod, through his investigation, later identified Babb as the shooter. He was arrested and his bond set at $40,000.

For the final charge, on or about July 4, 2016, San Angelo resident Deborah Stahl reported to police that the chain to her gate had been cut, and approximately 18 goats went missing from her property located in the 5800 block of State Highway 208. Stahl told police she was contacted by a James Babb, who inquired about purchasing goats from her property a few weeks before the goats went missing with him.

"D. Stahl advised she and J. Babb did not come to an agreement, and she had not heard from J. Babb since," said the complaint.

On Aug. 2, 2016, Tom Green County Sheriff's Sgt. Corey Speck interviewed J. Babb, and he said he did indeed contact Stahl about purchasing all of her goats on the property. J. Babb stated that he asked his cousin, Otis Layne Babb, the Defendant, if he would help gather the goats if he "got a deal done with Ms. Stahl."

"J. Babb stated he learned a week later that the Defendant had gone in and stole goats from D. Stahl's property," noted the complaint.

When J. Babb asked the Defendant about the theft, J. Babb stated his cousin borrowed his pickup truck, and, upon having it returned to him, he received a text message from Otis advising that he had left something in his truck that J. Babb did not need in it. 

"J. Babb advised he looked in his truck and located a yellow handle bolt cutter, which was later picked up by the Defendant," said the complaint.

On Aug. 2, 2016, Sgt. Speck interviewed J. Rivera, who said he was contacted by Doyle Babb, father of Otis Babb, about purchasing goats while they were at the Spur Arena. Rivera said Otis Babb drove up to the Spur Arena on July 4, 2016 with the goats in a black trailer.

"J. Rivera stated he agreed to buy the goats for $150,000 in cash," noted the complaint. 

Rivera said Otis Babb drove the goats to his residence where the sale was completed. Rivera provided Sgt. Speck with a bill of sale dated for July 4, 2016 for the purchase of 13 Billie Goats, 1 Nanny" from Doyle Babb and Layne Babb. On the sale, there were two signatures belonging to Doyle and Otis.

On Aug. 2, 2016, Sgt. Speck interviewed Doyle Babb, who said that Otis texted him on July 4, 2016 and wanted to know if he knew of any place to sell goats. Doyle gave Otis the name of J. Rivera and set up the meeting at the Spur Arena. 

"D. Babb stated he saw the Defendant drive into the parking lot of the Spur Arena in J. Babb's pickup truck pulling a black trailer with 14 goats," said the complaint. "After J. Rivera agreed to buy the goats, D. Babb stated he went with the Defendant to J. Rivera's residence where the goats were unloaded and the sale completed. D. Babb stated he did sign the bill of sale along with the Defendant."

Although Doyle signed the bill and helped with the sale, Otis was the only one arrested for the theft. His bond was set at $50,000.

Overall, Otis Babb has been arrested nine times in Tom Green County. He has a history of theft of property, issuance of bad checks, assault, drugs and alcohol.

By pleading guilty to all three charges this morning, the Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon was 12.45ed, meaning he cannot be charged for that crime, and the 18 years' confinement is for the other two charges, which will run concurrently.