Arrest Made In Winnsboro Area Church Burglaries

From Wood County Sheriff Jim Brown

On June 2, 2016 Wood County deputies were dispatched to take reports of several overnight church burglaries that had occurred in the Winnsboro area and north portion of the County.  Entry had been made to the Cross Roads Church and the Tinney Chapel Church. Unsuccessful entry attempts were found at several other churches located around the Winnsboro area. The reports were taken by the patrol deputies and the cases were assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division.  In the matter of a couple of days the investigators were able to develop leads which led them to suspect Cota Allen Marks, w/m, DOB 12-22-90, of Winnsboro, Texas.  When the suspect was located by investigators Cota Marks had in his possession the property that had been taken from the two churches.  The property included a number of animal trophy mounts as well as stereo equipment.

Cota Allen Marks was also found to be in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia  Mr. Marks was charged with two counts of “Burglary to a Building”, one count of “Burglary of a Vehicle” and one count of “Possession of a Controlled Substance penalty group one (1g-4g)”.  He is currently being detained in the Wood County Jail on a total of $70,000 surety bonds.

The Sheriff’s Office will process the recovered property as soon as possible in order that it may be released back to the churches.