KILGORE, Texas — Officials in Gregg County have arrested two people accused of dumping a body in Rusk County.
According to Gregg County judicial records, William Welch, of Kilgore, and Stephanie Kravis, of Carthage — both 36 — were arrested Wednesday, April 5, by the Gregg County Sheriff's Office.
Kravis was booked on the following charges:
- Expired registration
- Engaging in organized criminal activity
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Abuse of a corpse without legal authority
Her bond was set at $170,500.
Welch was arrested for:
- Engaging in organized criminal activity
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Abuse of a corpse without legal authority
His bonds totaled $170,000.
According to the Rusk County Sheriff's Office (RCSO), on March 30, officials responded to a death investigation on Rusk County Road 169D. Officials said they believe the person died in another location and was taken to Rusk County Road 169D as an attempt to cover up the cause and location of the death.
Through the investigation, the RCSO and Kilgore Police Department (KPD) obtained a search warrant for a residence located at 626 Layton St. in Kilgore.
During the search, officials seized a number of suspected drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl and other items believed to be valuable evidence in the death investigation, the sheriff's office said.
At this time, the RCSO is not releasing the identity of the person as the investigation is active. The family has been notified of the death and the body has been sent for autopsy.