Five men are among the first charged under Texas’ new jugging law. Here’s what jugging is, how the law works, and why it matters for Texans.
HOUSTON — Five men in Harris County are among the first suspects to be charged under a new Texas law that makes “jugging” a standalone crime.
Court documents show Keon Jacobs, Joe Washington, Jonathan Earl Williams, Joshua D. Thornton, and Curtis Odigie were each arrested on Sept. 5 and charged with felony jugging in separate cases.
According to the complaints:
- Jacobs allegedly followed a Wells Fargo customer while carrying items including multiple sets of license plates, gloves, a screwdriver, and spare clothes.
- Washington is accused of targeting another Wells Fargo customer while in possession of an alternate Texas license plate and a broken vehicle key.
- Williams is accused of following a Wells Fargo customer while carrying at least two criminal instruments, including a surgical black mask and an alternate Texas license plate.
- Thornton allegedly followed a Wells Fargo customer while carrying a license plate flipper and an adhered strip of duct tape over a VIN.
- Odigie is accused of following a Wells Fargo customer while in possession of at least two criminal instruments, including a license plate flipper and an adhered strip of duct tape over a VIN. Court records also note prior felony convictions for Odigie, including unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest.
All five were charged under House Bill 1902, which took effect Sept. 1 and created a new section of the Texas Penal Code dedicated specifically to jugging.
What is “jugging”?
Under HB 1902, a person commits jugging if they:
- Knowingly follow someone from a bank or business on the same route without substantially deviating, and
- Possess at least two criminal instruments, such as gloves, fake plates, or tools that could be used to commit theft.
The law defines jugging as a state jail felony. The penalties can increase:
- To a third-degree felony if burglary is also committed.
- To a first-degree felony if the act involves robbery.
Why lawmakers created the law
State Rep. David Cook of Fort Worth authored HB 1902, saying jugging needed to be defined as its own offense so law enforcement could intervene earlier.
Cook said the law gives prosecutors “a clear framework to crack down on jugging before it leads to serious injury or loss of life.” He also noted that many of these crimes appear linked to organized crime rings in Texas.
Law enforcement response
Jugging has been on Houston’s radar for years. In 2023, Houston police formed a dedicated task force to address the growing problem.
The task force has investigated multiple cases where suspects were accused of following people from banks and robbing them. Police say the creation of a standalone offense now allows for better tracking and stronger prosecution.
What happens next
All five suspects are set to appear in Harris County district courts this week. Prosecutors say they will continue to use the new law as jugging cases emerge across the state.
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