A collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of 54-year-old Jess Deon Dotson in Red Oak.
On Monday, December 4, 2023, at approximately 10:02 am, Ellis County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a call about an unresponsive adult male in the 1000 block of Vinson Lane. Upon arrival at 10:08 am, deputies discovered Mr. Dotson lying face down in the front yard of a residence. Large areas of pooled blood and apparent gunshot wounds were noted.
After securing the scene, investigators identified the victim as Jess Deon Dotson of Red Oak. Multiple witnesses were interviewed, leading investigators to a person of interest in Coppell, Texas. The person of interest was identified as 33-year-old Yaralitza Dee Shaw from Lewisville.
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, Ellis County Sheriff's investigators conducted a custodial interview with Ms. Shaw at the Coppell Police Department, during which she confessed to the murder. Subsequently, a Murder warrant was issued for Ms. Shaw's arrest, and she was taken into custody. Her bond has been set at $500,000.
Sheriff Brad Norman expressed gratitude to the Red Oak Police Department, Lewisville Police Department, Coppell Police Department, Irving Police Department - National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN Sector), Social Security Administration, Texoma HIDTA, and the Ellis County & District Attorney's Office for their collaborative efforts.
"This team effort led to the apprehension and arrest of the killer within the first 48 hours of Sheriff's investigators responding to the crime scene," Sheriff Norman stated in a release.
