Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin was previously arrested in May of 2025 and later indicted on two misdemeanor charges of official oppression and two felony charges. The felony charges were dropped Friday after Van Zandt County District Attorney Tonda Curry, who was summoned to serve on the case along with Van Zandt County Judge Chris Martin, determined there was not enough evidence to prove the accusations true beyond a reasonable doubt.

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