Orange Lawman faces trial
August 15, 1988
By Tony Batt
Staff Writer
Jury selection began here today in the drug conspiracy trial of Orange County Sheriff James Wade.
Extra security measures were implemented for the trial in the former 15 State District Court. A metal detector on the second floor of the Grayson
County courthouse scans all courtroom visitors.
Wade, who is from Vidor was indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler on May 2 for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drugs. On July 14, U. S. District Judge Howell Cobb of Beaumont ordered the trial moved t Sherman because of "an inordinate amount of publicity" about the case in the Beaumont area. Cobb will preside over the case here.
Wade, who has been jailed since June 1, declined to answer reporters' questions today as U. S. Deputy marshals escorted him from the Grayson County Jail to the county courthouse.
Wade and Nyle Henry Baker, a retired pipeline contactor from Vidor, have been indicted for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine.
Wade also was named in nine other counts in the 23 page indictment. The charges include embezzlement, conspiracy to obstruct justice and possession with the the intent to distribute drugs. If convicted on all counts, Wade faces more than120 years in federal prison.
Wade, whose term as sheriff ends Dec. 31, has been placed on a leave of absence and is still drawing his salary of more than $29,000 a year. He ran for re-election this year, but was defeated in the democratic primary in March. Before he was elected Orange County sheriff, Wade served as a trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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