Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Enforcement of New County Ordinance Leads to Felony Arrest in Spring, TX

SPRING, TX -- Deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office South Command successfully intercepted a felony fugitive while enforcing a recently enacted county ordinance aimed at improving public safety on local roadways.

On March 17, 2026, units were dispatched to the intersection of Sawdust Road and IH-45 following reports of five individuals aggressively approaching drivers to solicit funds. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the individuals to educate them on the new County Ordinance regarding Solicitors and Vendors in the Right-of-Way.

During the encounter, deputies conducted standard warrant checks on all parties involved. One individual, identified as 37-year-old Lance Turner, was found to have an active warrant out of Travis County for 2nd Degree Felony Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant. Turner was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. The remaining four individuals were issued formal warnings regarding the new ordinance and were released from the scene.

This enforcement action is supported by Texas Transportation Code Section 285.001, a state law that went into effect on September 1, 2025. This legislation grants law enforcement the authority to regulate roadside vendors and solicitors in unincorporated areas to promote public safety. This includes panhandling, as well as the regulation of food, merchandise, and live animal sales, which typically occur on public rights-of-way.

The ordinance was passed to ensure the safety of Montgomery County citizens by addressing aggressive individuals and clearing the roadways of potential hazards. By managing these interactions, the Sheriff’s Office aims to reduce dangerous distractions for motorists and maintain the integrity of the county's transportation corridors. The arrest of a violent felony offender during this routine enforcement highlights the secondary benefits of these public safety initiatives in keeping our community safe.