A man who said he was working for the contractor building a new section of border wall in Hudspeth County blocked a Big Bend Sentinel reporter, a photojournalist and a local activist from leaving a remote private road for more than two hours Saturday, according to reporting by the Big Bend Sentinel.
The Sentinel reported that the man, identified in an update Monday as James Stephen Rountree, positioned his pickup across the road and repeatedly maneuvered to prevent the group from driving around him. Rountree denied detaining anyone when contacted by the Sentinel.
Reporter Sam Karas, an unnamed photojournalist and Sierra Blanca activist Bill Addington had traveled to the area to photograph a newly erected section of steel border wall and what they suspected was dynamite blasting near Box Canyon, according to the Sentinel. Karas told the newspaper the group had written permission from a landowner who uses the road to reach his property and remained on the road while taking photographs.
The Sentinel reported that the confrontation began about 3:15 p.m. as the group was leaving. Karas said the group did not have cellular service and she used a satellite GPS device to contact her editor and ask that the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office be called.
According to Karas’ account, Rountree maintained that the group was trespassing and could not leave until deputies arrived so trespassing charges could be filed. After deputies arrived, Karas said Rountree offered another option: paying him $170 instead of having charges filed.
The Sentinel reported that Rountree told deputies he had been hired by Barnard Construction Co., the contractor building the wall in the area, to provide security. Other Barnard security personnel also arrived at the scene, according to the newspaper. The Sentinel said Barnard did not immediately respond to its request for comment.
When the Sentinel contacted Rountree by telephone Sunday, he denied detaining anyone. Asked whether he had blocked Karas’ vehicle with his truck, he declined to answer additional questions and asked not to be called again.
The Sentinel said it identified Rountree through multiple sources. Marfa Public Radio reporter Mary Cantrell said the man had identified himself as James Rountree while speaking at a Hudspeth County Commissioners Court meeting concerning a road-use agreement. The newspaper also reported that activists had received a property deed from the man bearing the name James Rountree. Hudspeth County Appraisal District records list a James Stephen Rountree as owning property off Bramlett Road, according to the Sentinel’s updated report.
The newspaper reported that deputies told Karas the private road was posted with no-trespassing signs. Karas maintained that the group had permission from a landowner to use it. At one point during the encounter, another landowner arrived and removed a gun from Rountree’s truck, according to the Sentinel.
Deputies ultimately agreed to allow Karas to drive to Sierra Blanca to discuss the matter at the sheriff’s office, the newspaper reported. Before that occurred, however, deputies were called to a serious crash on Interstate 10 and told Karas she was free to leave.
The Big Bend Reporter has not independently verified the Sentinel’s account. This report is based on reporting published by the Big Bend Sentinel on Sunday and subsequently updated to identify Rountree.
