Kilgore fugitive arrested in California

Austin Gerald Williams, 26, of Kilgore was arrested in Ventura County, California by Ventura County Sheriff 's deputies after an inquiry showed Williams was wanted on felony forgery charges in Gregg County.

Sheriff 's investigators had identified Williams as the offender in a multiple-count forgery case which was reported to the Sheriff 's office on February 27.

"Our investigation and subsequent interview with Williams indicated he engaged in a scheme over several months to obtain, through forged checks, more than $17,000 in currency," Mike Claxton, Gregg County sheriff 's lieutenant, said.

Williams was charged by a criminal complaint issued by the Gregg County Criminal District Attorney's Office on March 4, with felony forgery.

According to Claxton, an arrest warrant was ordered by B.H. Jameson, Gregg County Judge.

Claxton said Williams fled from Texas then was stopped in Ventura County on March 9 and taken into custody, as a fugitive on the Texas complaint and warrant.

A waiver of extradition hearing was held in Ventura County Superior Court on March 10. Williams waived his rights and procedures to decline extradition and agreed to be extradited to Texas, Claxton said.

According to Claxton, sheriff 's fugitive warrant division deputies will travel to California and return Williams to Texas.