Stand-Off With Federal Agents Ends Peacefully, But Concerns Linger

A scary scene unfolded in Schulenburg on Thursday, April 20, as federal agents apprehended a fugitive following an hour-long standoff.

The incident took place at a residence in the 100 block of Russek St. in Schulenburg around 11:45 a.m. Schulenburg Police Chief Troy Brenek said the U.S. Marshals did not inform him beforehand that they had tracked a fugitive to Schulenburg. Brenek said the first he heard about it was when the Marshals called for help after the standoff developed. The Austin County Special Response Team (SRT) responded as well. Brenek said the Marshals began negotiations with the subject. The Marshals convinced the fugitive to give himself up peacefully before the SRT arrived, Brenek said. Marshals took the man into custody around 12:45 p.m. The fugitive was taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center in La Grange.

The Record called and left an email with the US. Marshals Service to inquire about the fugitive and the standoff, but they have not responded.

According to records at the Fayette County Jail, the fugitive is Charles Scott Lewis, 45 of Dawson. He was wanted on numerous charges out of Navarro County including burglary of a habitation, burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony, two counts of failure to appear, two counts of violation of a protective order by assault/stalking, bond forfeiture, bail jumping and tampering with a witness.

Brenek said he was happy the incident ended peacefully. However, he criticized the U.S. Marshals Service for not telling him about this dangerous criminal that they tracked to his community.

“If this thing would have gone sideways, people would have been looking to me for answers because this is my jurisdiction,” he said. “But I didn’t know anything about it until they asked for our help.”

Brenek said he expressed his displeasure to the Marshals Service and hoped they would improve communications in the future.