Youth Official Quits; Indicted for Knife in Lockup

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The independent ombudsman for the Texas Youth Commission resigned Monday after her felony indictment for allegedly smuggling a knife into a teenage lockup.

Newly appointed ombudsman Catherine Evans said in a statement that she submitted her resignation. Gov. Rick Perry’s office says he has accepted the resignation and said he would appoint a replacement.

Perry appointed Evans to be the TYC ombudsman in September.

In the Houston County indictment unsealed in Crockett on Monday, Evans is accused of carrying a knife into an East Texas correctional facility.

If convicted, the former Dallas state district judge could face two to 10 years in prison.

Evans says it was “a regrettable mistake” that she forgot a Swiss Army knife was in her handbag.

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