February 4, 1988
FBI agent, Hardin Sheriff testify in Wade Hearing
By Margaret Toal
Staff writer
An FBI agent and the Hardin County sheriff told a federal judge Wednesday how methamphetamine lab equipment and a riffle confiscated in 
Hardin County were traced back to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff H. R. "Mike" Holzapfel and FBI agent Zechariah Helton also testified how they had received information that Orange County Sheriff James Wade was allegedly assisting in the Operation of a methamphetamine laboratory.
The testimony came during a hearing before U. W. District Judge Howell Cobb to determine whether to continue a protective order to keep Wade and others from contacting Donnie James Flowers and Orange County Deputy Don Duhon.
Authorities have said the two men were witnesses in a federal investigation in which Wade has been identified as a subject. Cobb continued the protective order after hearing testimony from Holzapfel and Shelton.
Holzapfel said authorities arrested Flowers and tow other men in a drug raid in Hardin County Oct. 14. Holzapfel said one suspect told him Wade said after the hearing that he understands why other law enforcement officers needed to investigate the allegations and added: "I would like to emphasize I am not guilty of any of the allegations brought against me."
Wade's attorney, John Hannah of Tyler, said the alegations were started "by people involved in narcotics in Orange County" to get Wady out of office.
Wade faces three opponents in the Democratic primary election March 8 in his bid for a second term in office.
Hannah objected to much of Wednesday's testimony, saying it was second-, third-, or fourth-hand information. Hannah also said the allegations came from Flowers and Duhon, and he described the two men as drug dealers.
Shelton testified he had allegations that Wade had sent a warning to Daniel Jacob "Danny" Lee in July about an investigation and that Lee would be arrested.
Authorities arrestee Lee during a raid on his........
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