Juvenile Justice Center jailer accused of offering girl candy for sex makes court appearance

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, appeared before a judge Friday morning.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County Juvenile Justice Center jailer accused of trading candy for sexual favors with a teenage inmate at the facility made his first court appearance.

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, appeared before a judge Friday morning. Police say he admitted to having sex with the 15-year-old girl. Officers also say they have surveillance video of him entering the girl's cell on May 23.

Robinson has been fired and charged with sexual assault with a child under 17.

The girl reportedly told police she allowed him to have sex with her because he provided her with candy and other treats.

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Family wants justice for murdered American hero

  Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's been one year since the murder of an elderly World War II veteran, and still no arrest has been made.

It was over Labor Day weekend last year when Percy Harmon, 85, was found bound and gagged in his northeast Houston home.

"Today is most regrettable that we even had to come here today," Mervin Harmon said Saturday as the family gathered to remember his older brother and continue their search for clues.

The family was back together Saturday in the place where their loved one was brutally murdered a year ago. They drove in from Lafayette, Louisiana to hand out flyers in his northeast Houston neighborhood, hoping someone will come forward with information that will help police solve the murder.

Mervin Harmon said he wants closure for his family.

"This now has been a year, and seemingly to us, something should have been done to find somebody responsible for this," he said. "Somebody in the area knows who did this."

The family tells us the suspect or suspects broke into the back window of the house. It wasn't until days later that Harmon's body was discovered in the living room of the home.

Harmon's niece, Janice Simmons, tells us the house has been broken into three more times since her uncle's death.

"For us it just means somebody is walking around here who was able to do something like this with no conscious," she said. "And when will they do it again?"

Detectives with the Houston Police Department helped the family Saturday as they went door to door.

Officer Paul Vela says they've had only a few leads. He believes getting out in the community could help generate information on the suspect.

"In the past it has helped other cases, and I believe within time people come to their senses and say 'I'm tired of crime. I'm tired of keeping this in. I want to speak to someone,'" Vela said.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $6,000 dollars for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the killer or killers responsible for the death of Percy Harmon. Anyone with information can call 713-222-TIPS. All tipsters remain anonymous.

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Source: Justice Dept. preparing charges in BP case

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Justice Department is said to be getting ready to file what would be the first criminal charges against BP employees in connection to the Gulf oil disaster.

The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in April of 2010, killing 11 workers and triggered the worst oil spill disaster in US history. People familiar with the case say prosecutors are preparing felony charges against several Houston-based engineers and at least one of their supervisors.

Prosecutors believe the employees may have provided false information to regulators about the risks associated with the well while its drilling was in progress.

BP declined to comment about the potential charges against its workers. The Justice Department is also refusing to comment.

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Family still seeking justice for fatal hit-and-run victim

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- All the members of one family have the same wish for the New Year and there's a chance you could help make it come true.

This family's tragic journey began last year near the intersection of Ella and Richey in north Harris County.

For the family of Mary Jackson, this was their first Christmas without her, and as the anniversary of her New Year's Eve death approaches, they pray 2012 will bring justice.

Jackson's family has missed her every day this year. but especially this Christmas weekend.

"She was ready to live and travel and enjoy her grand kids and that ended really early," her daughter, Rokeshia Holmes said. "Without parents, period -- but without your mother, it's definitely been a tough one. If it wasn't for our kids I felt like I could have just stayed buried under the covers the whole day."

Hundreds of cars pass by the site on Ella Road near Richey where she died last New Year's Eve.

Jackson was going to church services with her grandson Aundre Holmes, a tradition the family held every year. Then, another car veered into their lane and struck them head on. The 55-year-old mother of three and grandmother of 12 died.

Her grandson has a steel rod in his leg today.

"It was like a mother-son thing, I can't really describe how much I treasured her," Aundre Holmes said.

Police say that driver ran from the scene, even leaving his passenger who ended up in a coma for months.

"If that was anybody else, most likely they would have stayed there and helped somehow but he just left to cover his own hide -- just crazy," Aundre Holmes said.

As the first anniversary approaches, the family is waiting for an arrest. Investigators have worked many leads and interviewed the passenger, who owned the car, but no justice yet.

"They even left their passenger to die. That's not a friend, that's not somebody who cares, that's just somebody who is heartless. Do the right thing for once. I'm making a plea, I'm begging for you to turn yourself in," Jackson's other daughter, Tiffany Holmes said.

And as a new year approaches, the family prays answers will come in 2012.

"My hope is just to close this chapter in our life and get some justice. That's my greatest hope for this year," Rokeshia Holmes said.

The family will hold a candlelight vigil on New Year's Eve. If you have any information you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477. You can remain anonymous and could claim up to a $5,000 reward.

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