Texas Rangers arrest former Brownwood juvenile correctional officer

BROWNWOOD, Texas — A former employee at a Texas Juvenile Justice Department facility in Brownwood was among four people arrested by the Texas Rangers following an investigation of misconduct.

Morsello Hooker, 31, bonded out of the Brown County Jail Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of official oppression, according to jail records. He's accused of using excessive force against juveniles in state custody.

"Misconduct on the part of the employees entrusted with the responsibility of protecting our youth will not be tolerated," Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press release. "Today's announcement is one of many steps being taken to ensure that employees at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department are held accountable for their actions."

Morsello Hooker was a juvenile correctional officer from October 2008 to June 2017 at Brownwood's Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex, according to a TJJD spokeswoman.

Hooker’s arrest came amid a request by Gov. Abbott last month to investigation allegations of misconduct at the state’s juvenile lockups. The Texas Rangers, the TJJD Office of Inspector General and the TJJD Special Prosecution Unit are all assisting in this investigation.

Texas Rangers also arrested three other former and current TJJD employees on abuse-related charges, according to the Department of Public Safety. Another suspect remains at large and could possibly be out of state.

Below are the three other suspects arrested on Thursday:

- Derrick Goodman, 56, of Gainesville charged with official oppression.

- Shannon Hoaglen, 41, of Gainesville charged with official oppression.

- Derrick Day, 39, of Gainesville charged with official oppression.