Former ECSO deputy arrested on theft charges

Philip Gary Slaughter II, 41, was arrested on Friday, April 15, 2016 and charged with multiple felony offenses, including theft of property.

ELLIS COUNTY — On Thursday, April 14, 2016, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Ennis Police Department regarding a potential theft case. The case involved a former employee of the Sheriff’s Office.

After looking into the matter investigators developed sufficient evidence that a theft of property from the Sheriff's Office had occurred. The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Texas Rangers and requested they take the case.

"At the request of the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, Texas Rangers were asked to assist in a theft investigation at the sheriff's office. As a result of the investigation, 41-year-old Phillip Slaughter of Midlothian was arrested on Friday at approximately 6:30 p.m. in Cedar Hill and taken into custody without incident," Sargeant Lonny Haschel of the Texas Department of Public Safety said. "He was transported to the Ellis County Jail and incarcerated on charges of theft, tampering with evidence and tampering with a government document. The Texas Rangers and the Ellis County Sheriff's Office continue to investigate the case."

As a result of the Ranger's investigation, warrants were issued for Philip Gary Slaughter II, 41. Slaughter, a former Lieutenant with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested on Friday, April 15, 2016, in Cedar Hill.

Slaughter was arrested for Tampering with a government Record (State Jail Felony), Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair (Felony 3), Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence (Felony 3) and three counts of Theft of Property $1,500 LT $20K Enhanced (Felony 3).

Slaughter was employed with the Sheriff’s Office from October 21st, 2001 until March 28th, 2016 when he abruptly resigned. The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office has and will continue to cooperate with the Texas Rangers during this investigation. No further information will be released until the Texas Rangers investigation is completed.

Slaughter remains in the Wayne McCollum Detention Center on bonds totaling $510,000.