VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE [Aug. 6] — The Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office has made two additional arrests while investigating a body discovered in a shallow grave in Van Zandt County last week.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — UPDATE [Aug. 6] — The Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office has made two additional arrests while investigating a body discovered in a shallow grave in Van Zandt County last week.
Arrested were 44-year-old Roger Deloss McCasland of Mesquite, Texas, and 65-year-old Debbie Runnae Spriggs, of Dallas. Debbie's son, 45-year-old Casey Lynn Spriggs, had previously been arrest in the case.
All three have been charged with murder, engaging in organized criminal activity, and are being held at the Van Zandt County Jail. Bonds for the murder charges were set at $1 million.
McCasland and Debbie Spriggs were additionally charged with tampering with evidence and McCasland is being held on a parole violation.
ORIGINAL [Aug. 3] — A Richardson man is behind bars, charged with murder, after a body was discovered in a shallow grave in Van Zandt County over the weekend, the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office announced today.
On Saturday, July 31, 2021, the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office responded to County Road 2301 where the body had been located in a shallow grave on private property.
The Texas Rangers and Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney's Office were called in to assist.
The Texas Rangers recovered the body of Ladarron Perkins from the shallow grave. Perkins' body was then ordered for an autopsy by Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Herberet Dunn.
"It was determined the actual murder had likely occurred in the City of Dallas," read a statement from the sheriff's office. "Dallas PD was contacted but initially declined to participate in the investigation."
Van Zandt County deputies and investigators secured a crime scene at a residence in the Pleasant Grove area of southeast Dallas.
"As the investigation progressed, it was determined Casey Lynn Spriggs had shot and killed Ladarron Perkins in Dallas and then transported his body to Van Zandt County and buried it in a shallow grave," stated the sheriff's office.
Spriggs was arrested yesterday and booked into the Van Zandt County Jail earlier this morning. He is being held on a $1 million bond on the murder charge, according to jail records.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are forthcoming.
"I am impressed and appreciative at the outcome of this investigation," stated Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix. "I want to thank the Texas Rangers, especially Sgt. Michael Adcock for his quick response and bringing in his team. Thanks also goes to DA Tonda Curry, Judge Dunn and VZSO Deputies and our Criminal Investigation Division. Also to Chief Deputy Craig Shelton for the many hours they worked to get this suspect in custody."