San Augustine County — KFDM News has learned a former longtime Texas Game Warden who served in Jasper County and became well known from his appearances on the popular reality television show ‘Lone Star Law’ has been indicted for a felony crime by a grand jury in East Texas.

The San Augustine County grand jury indicted Justin Charles Eddins, 47, on a charge of False Statement to Obtain Credit in Provision of Certain Services, according to a copy of the indictment provided to KFDM by the San Augustine County District Clerk’s Office.

According to the indictment, beginning on or about March 22, 2022 and ending on or about November 10, 2023, Eddins intentionally and knowingly made a materially false or misleading written statement to Southside Bank, namely using another person’s name and credit, with the intent to obtain credit, namely loans, and the value of the amount of credit was $150,000 or more but less than $300,000.

The grand jury returned the indictment October 21, according to the Clerk’s Office.

The charge is a 2nd degree felony. If convicted, he could face the possibility of 2-20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

The San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office provided a copy of his mugshot. His bond was set at $50,000 and he was released after posting bond.

Mike Lout with our media partner, KJAS, spoke with Eddins’ attorney, Bill Morian Jr. of Jasper. Morian says what happened is a misunderstanding, not a crime. He released a statement to Lout:

Justin Eddins has honorably served the State of Texas for 31 plus years with over 24 years as a Game Warden with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department here in East Texas. Justin has been accused of making false statements to a bank with the intent to obtain loans. He denies any intent to defraud and looks forward to clearing his hame. We are confident that when all of the facts are reviewed in context, the public will see that this is a matter of misunderstanding-not a crime.

This is the indictment:

The State of Texas vs. JUSTIN CHARLES EDDINS

Charge: False Statement to Obtain Credit in Provision of Certain Services Court: District

32.32 TPC

IN THE NAME AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

THE GRAND JURY, for the County of San Augustine, State of Texas, duly selected, impaneled, sworn, charged, and organized as such at the Fall Term A.O. 2025 of the First Judicial District Court for said County, upon their oaths present in and to said court at said term that JUSTIN CHARLES EDDINS hereinafter styled Defendant, beginning on or about the 22nd day of March, A.D. 2022, and ending on or about the 10th day of November, 2023, and before the presentment of this indictment, in the County and State aforesaid, did then and there intentionally and knowingly make a materially false or misleading written statement to Southside Bank, namely using another person’s name and credit, with the intent to obtain credit, namely loans, and the value of the amount of credit was $150,000 or more but less than $300, 000, against the peace and dignity of the State.

We checked with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A spokeswoman told KFDM “Justin Eddins is no longer employed by the department.”

Eddins started as a Game Warden in 2001, beginning his career in San Augustine and then moving back home to Jasper County in 2005.

In 2015, the Texas House passed a resolution recognizing Eddins and two other Game Wardens for their heroic efforts to save a man and his young son at Lake Sam Rayburn when the boy sank and failed to resurface. The father tried to save his son but was overcome by the water and ended up clinging to a buoy. The son died at a hospital but his organs were made available for transplant.

Our media partner, KJAS Radio. reports that Eddins was named Citizen of the Year in 2017 during the 98th Annual Chairman’s Banquet of the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

KJAS reported that Eddins was a member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s dive team and was involved in numerous water rescues in the area.

Eddins and a number of other local Game Wardens were featured on the hit TV show “Lone Star Law” on the Animal Planet network.