Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Augustine Jr. Arrested for Physical Violence Against Girlfriend

Frank Augustine Jr. Booking Photo

Houston, Texas

A deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is accused of violently attacking his girlfriend while she slept in bed.

Frank Augustine Jr. is charged with assault of a family member.

It all started with a family disturbance call at Augustine’s home on March 29. The woman, identified as Augustine’s girlfriend, told Investigators with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constables Domestic Violence Unit that Augustine physically attacked her.

The victim said Augustine struck her in the head with a motorcycle helmet while she slept in bed. During the assault, he allegedly strangled her to the point where she could not breathe, causing pain and injuries.

"We never know the real reasons why people get that far especially with a spouse or girlfriend, but it did get to that point where he assaulted her with a helmet, and not only that, he wasn't finished, he went ahead and tried to complete the job by strangling her," said Asst. Chief Tim Cannon, with the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

Augustine, 52, was arrested and taken into custody, and an emergency protection order was granted for the girlfriend.

Augustine was released on a $5,000 bond. He's due back in court on May 4.

Sex Scandal Alert: Harris County Deputies Adam Wright, Michael Medina and Robert Johnson Fired for Not Keeping It in Their Pants

Houston, Texas 

A sex scandal has unfolded at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in the termination of 3 deputies. An elementary school teacher from the Pasadena Independent School District volunteered with the Citizens Police Academy where she did ride-alongs with deputies in Harris County District 3 on the northeast side of the county near Wallisville and McHardy roads. She has since moved to the administrative offices at the Galena Park Independent School District. 

Apparently, the school teacher and the deputies misunderstood the term "ride along." The Harris County Sheriff's Office has confirmed deputies Adam Wright, Michael Medina and Robert Johnson were all terminated Monday for improper conduct, specifically, for having consensual sex in their patrol cars with the married teacher. 

The teacher’s husband is also a reserve deputy, a volunteer who also rides along with deputies in District three. 

Art Hood, president of the Citizens Police Academy, said the woman admitted to the vice president that she had sex with the three deputies. She was immediately removed from the group at that time. The incident first came to light two to three months ago. Between that time and the time the deputies were fired, the sheriff's department has been investigating the allegations. 

The department issued the following statement. 

"The Harris County Sheriff's Office holds all of its employees to the highest of standards, as should the citizens. Employees are expected to act in a professional and responsible manner at all times. Any employee whose conduct discredits and dishonors the Sheriff's Office and the uniform he/she wears will be disciplined accordingly. Improper conduct of any kind will not be tolerated."

Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy David Land Facing Child Porn Charges

Montgomery County, Texas

According to authorities, David Wayne Land is more than just a former Harris County sheriff's deputy. In fact, Cops say Land is a pedophile.

The 42-year-old land has been charged with three counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography. Montgomery County Precinct 4 deputy constables arrested Land at his home in Porter on Monday.

Investigators say a search of Land’s home yielded several hundred images of child pornography on Land's hard drive. The victims appeared to be 3 to 8 years old, officials said.

Land could face more charges after computers seized from his home are analyzed, investigators said. Land was booked into the Montgomery County Jail with bond set at $100,000.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Fires Six for Sexual Misconduct

Houston, Texas

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirms that one deputy, one supervisor and four detention officers had their employment terminated because they had sexual contact with inmates or other employees.

One deputy under investigation has resigned and a supervisor under investigation has chosen retirement.

Sheriff Adrian Garcia spoke publicly about the sexual misconduct of the employees.

"Their actions are inexcusable because it was crystal clear to all of our employees that this kind of conduct is wrong," Garcia said. "The laws of Texas, the rules of the Sheriff’s Office, our training programs and common sense all say so."

The fired deputy has been indicted on a criminal charge, Garcia said.

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Two Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies Arrested at Wedding

Keven Meyer

Christopher David Lock

Houston, Texas

Weddings are often stressful events, but one recent wedding in Northwest Houston turned into an all- out catastrophe, thanks to two Harris County Sheriff’s deputies. The funny thing is, one of the deputies was the groom.

Officials said deputies Kevin Meyer, 26, and Christopher David Lock, 32, were arrested on Saturday. Meyer was charged with interfering with the duties of a public servant and Lock was charged with trespassing.

The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office said two deputy constables were working security at the wedding at SPJST Lodge, 1435 Beall, when the owner of the reception hall wanted the festivities to be shut down because they got out of hand.

Bride Raquel Gonzales said her father-in-law approached a man, who he thought was the manager, to ask him to resume serving alcohol. Gonzales said her father-in-law put his hand on the man's shoulder, not knowing that he was a Precinct 1 deputy constable out of uniform. Apparently, that particular deputy went all Barney Fife, accusing the father-in-law that he was assaulting a peace officer and would be arrested. Precinct 1 officials said that the father-in-law pushed the deputy constable.

When another deputy constable went to arrest the father, Meyer, who was the groom, walked over to one of the deputy constables and was told to stay out of the situation or he would be arrested. Lock came over next and deputy constables told him to leave, Gonzales said. She said Lock called his own supervisor, who advised him to stay. Meyer and Lock were both arrested. Precinct 1 officials said Meyer and Lock interfered with the father-in-law's arrest.

Meyer and Lock have posted bond and are due in court on Friday.

Meyer works in the Detention Unit. Lock is a patrol officer.

At a news conference Monday, Meyer's attorney, Jed Silverman, said the deputy constables at the reception refused to listen to any of the other witnesses. Silverman said he and Meyers plan to fight the charges and Meyers hopes to return to work soon.

Harris County Deputy Jesus Martinez Indicted on Drug Charges

Houston, Texas

A Harris County sheriff's deputy has been indicted on drug charges.

His name is Jesus Martinez. The 30-year-old deputy is accused of aiding in the delivery of ecstasy tablets.

"Every single one of the employees at the HCSO is expected to obey the law and play by the rules," Sheriff Adrian Garcia said. "If an employee becomes involved in criminal behavior then they should know that we will do everything in our power to make sure we find them the jail cell they deserve."

Garcia said Martinez has been terminated.

"Mr. Martinez owes an apology to his colleagues, his coworkers, and the residents of Harris County for tainting the reputation and hard work of the vast majority of my deputies who work hard, are honest, and exemplify ethical conduct at all times," Garcia said. "His actions have tainted the good work of our deputies who risk their lives every day to keep Harris County safe."

If convicted, Martinez would face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

Harris County Deputies Raid Wrong House, Traumatizing Children Inside

Houston, Texas

So far this week, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office has been working hard on receiving the Disgraced Texas Badge Award. In just a few hours, one deputy was charged for falsifying a government record and accused of taking payoffs from a sports bar, offering drugs, prostitution and gambling. Another deputy was arrested for sexually molesting a child.

In another public relations nightmare, deputies performed a raid on a house, searching for a suspect. As it turns out, they went to the wrong house, drawing their guns on children inside. Takeeyah Sterling told KPRC-TV her children have been traumatized by the event and she is dissatisfied with the answers she has received from the Sheriff's Office.

"You do no research, no surveillance, you didn't talk to my neighbors before you invaded my privacy, before you come and terrorize my family," said Sterling.

Sterling said she is angry because the deputies left no information at the house after the raid was concluded. Sterling said she had to track down who was part of the raid.

Sterling said she did speak with one of the deputies who was part of the raid and received what she called an insincere apology. Sterling has filed a formal complaint with the Sheriff's Office's Internal Affairs division.

"If I didn't go look for him, it would have just happened and it would have been like nothing ever happened," said Sterling.

The Sheriff’s office continues to justify the actions of the raid team, but say they are investigating.

Harris County Deputy Eleazar Gongora Charged With Sexually Assaulting a Child

Harris Co. Deputy Eleazar Gongoria

Houston, Texas

This is just not a good week for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. Not only have we seen a deputy accused of fictitious reporting, but now we learn that one is a pedophile.

Deputy Eleazar Gongora is the molester in question, after being arrested and charged with continued sexual abuse of a child, a felony.

Gongora was arrested Friday by sheriff’s deputies working with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.

The victim is a girl under the age of 15 who is in Gongora's family, investigators said.

The investigation of the crimes was conducted by HCSO law enforcement officers.

Gongora was assigned to the Mental Health Unit in Harris County Jail. He joined the HCSO in March 2000. His employment status is under review as a result of the charges against him.

Employment under review???!!!

Eleazar Gongora Facebook

Harris County Deputy Jimmy George Accused of Falsifying Activity Log and Taking Payoffs

Harris County Deputy Jimmy W. George

Houston, Texas

A Harris County sheriff's douchebag deputy is now pimpin' the county jail attire, while facing charges of tampering with a government record. Investigators say Deputy Jimmy W. George was logging that he went to scenes that he did not go to.

Harris County sheriff's deputies said internal affairs division deputies conducted surveillance on George as he worked his patrol shift in northwest Harris County in December.

Detectives said they discovered that George logged into his mobile data terminal and claimed he was responding to a traffic call, but he never went to the scene.

He's also being investigated for providing protection to a local sports bar called "Craigers," recently raided by police who discovered drugs, illegal gambling and prostitution. Investigators say George was allegedly taking payoffs from the club to keep law enforcement away.They say that could be one reason Craigers was allegedly able to operate illegally for several years.

"My deputies are tasked with enforcing the law. That's what I expect from them, that's what the public expects from them," said Sheriff Adrian Garcia. "They are not above the law. Those who think they are have another thing coming because we will continue to police our own and clean house as necessary."

George's employment has been terminated. He had been with the department since December 1996.

Harris County Deputy Tony Richards Couldn’t Keep It In His Pants: Charged for Having Sex With Woman in Custody

Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Richards

Houston, Texas

A Deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is facing criminal charges for being a horny bastard who couldn’t keep it in his pants allegedly having sex with a woman in custody last year, according to court documents.

An indictment has been handed down in the case against Tony Richards, 48, for improper sexual activity with a person in custody, according to court records filed with the Harris County District’s Attorney Office. Richards is accused of having sex with a woman in custody on Nov. 1, according to court records.

Richards was fired from the sheriff’s office on Wednesday. He scheduled to appear before a jury next week.

Harris County Deputy Diva?

Former Harris County Deputy and His Wife Going to Prison for Bribery

George Wesley Ellington

A former Harris County sheriff's deputy has been sentenced Thursday to five years in federal prison for twice accepting $500 from an alleged drug dealer in exchange for protection and access to confidential information.

George Wesley Ellington, 39, pleaded guilty in April to extortion under color of official right, which occurs when a government employee uses his or her position to obtain payment from a victim.

Ellington's wife, Tania Katrisse Ellington, 31, was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison for knowingly concealing her husband's criminal activities.

Both prison terms will be without the possibility of parole and will be followed by periods of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.

The sentences were the culmination of a joint investigation by the FBI and the Harris County Sheriff's Office, which found that George Ellington used his position to provide access to law enforcement computer records to a man he knew was dealing the drug Ecstasy.

He also provided security to the alleged dealer.

Harris County Deputy Paul Briones Convicted of Sexual Assault of Child

Harris County Deputy Paul Briones

Houston, Texas

A former Harris County sheriff's deputy has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child.

On Wednesday, a jury found Deputy Paul Briones guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. He is now waiting to be sentenced.

Briones is still facing separate charges of indecency with a child and having an improper relationship with an inmate in jail. He has not yet been tried on those charges.

Roman Forest Cop, Formerly With Harris County Sheriff's Office, Charged with Family Violence

Spring, Texas

A former Harris County Sheriffs employee has been charged with Assault-Family Violence.

Precinct 4 Constables arrested Randy Eugene Blackketter, 40, in the 22900 block of Spring Willow Drive Wednesday morning.

Blackketer is a reserve police officer with the Roman Forest Police Department. He served several years with HCSO.

Investigators were called to the residence around 3 a.m. on word of a family disturbance, according to a Precinct 4 Constables Office statement.

A woman told investigators she had been assaulted on at least 2 separate occasions in the past month. Both times, Blackketter left the scene prior to the arrival of deputies.

Source

Harris County Deputy At Fault In Fiery Wreck

Harris County, Texas

According to investigators, the deputy did not turn on his emergency lights as he ran a red light, so the accident was deemed his fault

A Harris County Deputy is recovering from minor injuries sustained in a fiery car crash over the weekend.

Around 10:30pm Friday, a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy supervisor was stopped at a red light eastbound on F.M. 1960 at Sugar Pine when a car next to him reportedly ran the red light.

The deputy said he tried to go after the car. Just as he began driving through the red light, a car was coming through the intersection northbound on Sugar Pine.

Officials said deputy hit the side of that car, and then came to a stop against another car in the southbound lanes and caught fire.

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Harris County deputy pleads guilty to extortion charge after arrested for protecting ecstasy dealer & taking bribe

Harris County, Texas

A former Harris County Sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to extortion in federal court Thursday afternoon.

George Wesley Ellington, 38, was accused of the following when he was charged back in October 2010 :

-- Allowed unauthorized access to confidential law enforcement databases in exchange for $500 in April 2010

-- Provided protection for a suspected ecstasy dealer.

Per the plea agreement, Ellington could face a maximum 60 months in prison without the possibility of parole, according to a US Attorney’s Office statement. His sentencing begins on June 30.

Tanya Ketrisse Ellington, his wife, is expected to go on trial in May for the following:

-- Attempting to aid and abet the possession with intent to distribute ecstasy

Source

Houston-area law enforcement not investigating child abuse cases

Houston, Texas

At a recent news conference on child abuse, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia talked tough at the podium.

"We have no mercy for people who will victimize children," Garcia said.

But the KHOU 11 News I-Team uncovered evidence that begs the question: Are his department's actions as strong as his words?

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Harris County Deputy Faces Excessive Force Lawsuit & Investigation After Video Contradicts Arrest Report

Caught on Tape: Woman Says Deputy Used Excessive Force: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Houston, Texas

A Harris County Sheriff’s deputy is in the hot seat on grounds he engaged in some unnecessary rough housing while apprehending a woman at a Target store.

According to the surveillance tape, it appears the deputy grabs the woman, slams her up against a wall and tackles her to the ground.

"I don't know. I was talking to him and then next thing I know, I'm in handcuffs. Beaten up," said Gonzalez. "He says I resisted arrest and failed to (show my identification), which none of those are true."

After watching the video, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office dropped both charges against Gonzalez.

Source

Former Sheriff's Deputy Pleads Guilty to Charges for Extortion, Stealing and Selling Drugs

Houston, Texas

A former Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit extortion, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston announced today. 

Richard Bryan Nutt Jr., 43, pleaded guilty Monday and was convicted before U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore to conspiring with others to use his position as a law enforcement officer to steal drug loads from dealers and split the proceeds with others after the stolen drugs were sold by co-defendants. 

Nutt's sentencing is set for June 6. Nutt, who was fired from the sheriff's office, is on bond pending sentencing. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison without parole for the conviction and a $250,0000 fine.

The conviction stems from a joint Houston Police Department and FBI sting operation initiated after HPD obtained information that members of law enforcement were robbing shipments of narcotics in Houston.

Prosecutors say that on Dec. 15 Nutt met with co-defendants Nathaniel House, 37, Richard Jerome Banks, 38, John Edward Scott, 34, and Danny Wayne Bell, 40. 

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Harris County Deputy Accused of Killing Inmate

Harris County, Texas

The family of an elderly Houston man who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and died in the Harris County Sheriff's Office's custody is demanding answers after he sustained serious head injuries during what they said was an altercation with a deputy at the Harris County Jail.

Norman Ford Hicks Sr., 72, of the 10400 block of Royal Oaks, died at 11 p.m. Jan. 22 at Ben Taub General Hospital after his children made the decision to discontinue life support. His official cause of death has not yet been released by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, where pathologists performed an autopsy on his body.

Hicks, who was on probation, had been in custody at the Harris County Jail at 1200 Baker St. since Jan. 7 after he was arrested in Oklahoma City for unknown reasons and transferred back to Harris County, said his daughter, Marie Hicks-Fields of Houston.

The altercation happened Jan. 16 at the jail, but his daughter said the sheriff's office did not notify her of the incident. On Monday she said she did not learn her father was at Ben Taub's intensive care unit until a hospital social worker called her to confirm her father's date of birth and address.

Hicks' family said on Monday that Sgt. Felipe Rivera of the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Division told them Hicks had been involved in an altercation with a staff member at the jail, although the sheriff's office refused to confirm that on Monday. Doctors said Hicks suffered multiple facial fractures and severe brain trauma, said his daughter, Evangeline Hicks Campbell of Katy.

Family members who saw Hicks at the hospital before his death said they saw bruises on his head. He never regained consciousness and died five days after arriving at the hospital, they said.

Two days after the altercation, while Hicks was hospitalized and on life support, he was charged with felony offense of harassment by a person in a correctional facility after the sheriff's office filed a complaint against him with the district attorney's office. Court papers accuse Hicks of trying to harrass, alarm and assault a deputy by causing the deputy to come into contact with feces and urine.

Court papers allege the offense happened on Jan. 7, the day Hicks was booked into the county jail. It was not immediately clear why the charge was filed after he was hospitalized and on life support.

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