The ink is still wet on this week's edition of the Sabine County Reporter, but the headline article detailing Justin Eddins latest suits, indictments and arrests is already in need of an update. The mounting charges are becoming increasingly dire as the newest Jefferson County indictment list a first degree felony and carries a possible sentence of life in prison.

Monday, after surrendering in Jefferson County and posting bond, Eddins, his attorney and Texas Rangers traveled to Sabine County for new arrests including another False Statement- Credit/Property >$30K <= $150K. Eddins was released after posting 10K security bond. Details included in a snapshot from the Sabine County Sheriff's app. 

Earlier in the morning, Eddins, 47, surrendered in Jefferson County for what has been the most serious indictment to date: a 1st Degree Felony Charge. There Magistrate Marc DeRouen arraigned Eddins and set bond at $100,000.  

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted the former game warden on January 28th for the charge of False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit valued at $300,000 or more. If convicted of the1st degree felony, he could face up to life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. 

Former Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden and Lone Star Law television personality Justin Charles Eddins, a Jasper County native, is now facing a widening list of felony indictments across East Texas, including new charges handed down in Jasper, Jefferson and Smith County over the last few weeks.

The latest indictments add to earlier cases filed in San Augustine County and Sabine County in 2025, placing Eddins at the center of multiple criminal proceedings in four counties. Now, new civil actions have been filed against  Eddins, including multiple claims seeking monetary damages exceeding $250,000.

In Smith County, Southside Bank has filed suit against Eddins in the 114th Judicial District Court, alleging default on two separate loans that were cross-collateralized. According to court filings, Southside Bank is seeking affirmative relief for monetary damages and other remedies totaling more than $250,000. The bank alleges that after executing the first loan, Eddins defaulted by failing to make any payments from the inception of the loan. The bank states that $159,016.79 remains due and owing on that loan.

The second loan involved a promissory note in the amount of $140,000, plus interest. Court documents allege Eddins again failed to make any payments from the inception of the loan. Southside Bank claims a remaining balance of $144,567.01 on the second loan, including interest and late fees. The bank further alleges Eddins breached the loan agreements by refusing to surrender possession of the collateral pledged for both loans. Collateral for the first loan includes a 2019 John Deere 650K crawler dozer, along with all related accessions, additions, replacements, substitutions, and records. Collateral for the second loan includes a security interest in all cattle owned or thereafter acquired, including but not limited to 64 crossbred cows, 19 calves, and three bulls. The loans are cross-collateralized, according to the filing.

A writ of sequestration was issued in Smith County on Jan. 9, 2026, seeking possession of the collateral. The sheriff’s return indicates the writ was executed at 270 East Lamar in Jasper. According to the return, no cattle or dozer were observed at the property. The return also states Eddins requested to be served at his attorney’s office.

Separately, Eddins is also facing a civil lawsuit in Jasper County under Cause No. 42091, filed by Mark Domingue,  an individual residing in Jasper County. Court documents state Domingue loaned Eddins  $260,000 in June 2025 to assist with a construction project. Eddins allegedly agreed to repay the loan in two installments: $60,000 by July 2 and $200,000 by Aug. 1. The parties further agreed that if full payment was not made by Aug. 25, ownership of certain property—including Eddins’ Justice of the Peace office and 20 boat storage units—would be transferred to Domingue in lieu of payment. The agreement also included a late fee of $250 per day until the balance was paid. According to the petition, neither the July 2 nor Aug. 1 payments were made. Domingue alleges repeated attempts to collect payment were met with excuses, although Eddins acknowledged the debt.

The filing states Eddins attempted to make payments by check, but the checks were returned for insufficient funds. Domingue alleges no payment was ever made. Domingue is suing Eddings for breach of contract and is seeking monetary relief of more than $250,000 but not more than $1 million.

In response to the Smith County action, Eddins has filed an original answer asserting a general denial. In the filing, Eddins denies each and every allegation in the plaintiff’s petition and demands strict proof as required under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Eddins is represented by William S. Morian Jr. of Jasper, Texas and the local attorney will have local charges to add to as well.

According to court filings, a Jasper County grand jury returned new indictments against Eddins in January 2026, marking the first time his hometown county has formally brought charges. The new Jasper County cases reportedly include: False statement to obtain credit, tied to an alleged attempt to secure a loan from a Jasper financial institution. Theft-related allegations involving standing timber, accusing Eddins of unlawfully harvesting timber belonging to another individual. Tampering with or fabricating evidence, connected to the above investigations. The Jasper County indictments significantly expand the scope of the legal issues Eddins is now facing, moving beyond earlier financial-fraud allegations to include property and evidence-related charges. All Jasper County cases remain pending as of January 2026.

San Augustine County Case (October 2025)

Eddins’ legal troubles first became public in October 2025, when a San Augustine County grand jury indicted him on a felony charge of making a false statement to obtain credit. The indictment alleges that Eddins used another individual’s identifying information in an effort to obtain loans valued in excess of $150,000. He was arrested and booked into the San Augustine County Jail on Oct. 28, 2025, and later released on bond. The alleged activity is said to have occurred over a period spanning 2022 and 2023. That case remains active in district court. Sabine County Indictments (November 2025)

One month later, in November 2025, a Sabine County grand jury returned three separate felony indictments against Eddins. All three Sabine County cases charge False Statement to Obtain Credit, involving alleged loan applications at Sabine State Bank and Doches Credit Union. One of the indictments alleges Eddins applied for credit using the name of another individual for his own benefit. Bond was set at $10,000 per case in Sabine County. Those cases remain pending and separate from the San Augustine and Jasper County matters. Eddins served for many years as a Texas Game Warden and became widely recognized through his appearances on Animal Planet’s “Lone Star Law.” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials confirmed in late 2025 that he is no longer employed by the agency. Once known throughout the region for wildlife enforcement work, Eddins now faces a series of criminal and civil cases that continue to grow in number and scope.

What Happens Next

As of January 2026, all indictments in Jasper, San Augustine, Smith and Sabine counties remain active. Court dates are expected to be scheduled independently in each jurisdiction. Prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges could still be forthcoming.  The Sabine County Reporter will continue to follow developments and report as new information becomes available.