Licking man arrested for drug trafficking

Photo courtesy of Texas Co. Sheriff’s Dept.
Roger Burgess

Roger E. Burgess, age 59, of Licking, was arrested on February 20, 2026, by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department after a pursuit ended in a crash at the intersection of State Route AY and Ashley Creek Road.

The incident began when a gold-colored minivan fled from a Houston police officer during a traffic stop. A Texas County deputy began patrolling the vicinity and observed a gold-colored minivan with an inoperable headlight driving towards State Route B on Morton Road. When the deputy approached the vehicle and activated emergency lights, the vehicle drove around the deputy and fled eastbound on State Route B at a high rate of speed, in a careless and imprudent manner. The pursuit continued north onto State Route AY. At the intersection of Ashley Creek Road, the minivan failed to negotiate the left-hand turn onto Ashley Creek Road and left the roadway, becoming disabled in the process.

Burgess exited the vehicle and fled on foot. He was pursued on foot by the deputy and was detained and arrested. During a search of the area, a bag of white, crystalline substance was found. In the vehicle’s floorboard,, bulk small empty bags and a weighing scale were found, and a syringe and more bulk small empty bags were found in a black bag in the vehicle. Field tests indicated the presence of methamphetamines. The substance in the bag was weighed at approximately 41.5 grams.

Four felony charges were filed on February 21, including: Trafficking Drugs or Attempt – 1st Degree, Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention, Driving While Revoked/Suspended, and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest for a Felony. A cash-only bond of $7,500.00 was set on February 23.

The above information is just mere accusations and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of any charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.