Beaumont Police Officer Receives Probation for Official Oppression Conviction

Beaumont, Texas

A Beaumont police officer convicted of official oppression in a 2007 traffic stop was sentenced today to 90 days of probation.

James Cody Guedry was convicted by a jury in December. He had stunned unarmed passenger Derrick Newman twice with a Taser in an Aug. 24, 2007, traffic stop on a South End street.

Guedry could have received up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

His attorney, Mitch Adams, asked Judge John Stevens to sentence Guedry to only a $1 fine.

Former officer David Todd Burke, who was also found guilty of official oppression in September for repeatedly striking Newman with a baton during the same traffic stop, was sentenced to one year's probation. Burke, who is no longer employed with Beaumont police, is appealing his case.

The jury verdict "clearly states that the degree of force used against Newman in the particular circumstances of this case was unnecessary and constituted unlawful mistreatment."

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Winkler Co. Sheriff Charged in Texas Whistle-Blowing Case

Winkler Co., Texas

A state grand jury in Winkler County, Tex., has indicted the sheriff, the county attorney and a hospital administrator for their roles in orchestrating the prosecution of two whistle-blowing nurses after they had reported allegations of malpractice against a popular physician.

The sheriff, Robert L. Roberts Jr., and county attorney, Scott M. Tidwell, each face six counts, including misuse of official information and retaliation, which are third-degree felonies. Stan Wiley, the administrator of Winkler County Memorial Hospital, in the dusty West Texas town of Kermit, was indicted on two counts of retaliation.

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Houston Police Officers Under Investigation For Another Alleged Beating

Houston, Texas

"I fear the police," Melinda Granhold.

Grandhold, a mother of two, said she went for a girl's night out and got pulled over on South Shepherd Drive near Westheimer Road for making an illegal turn.

She admitted taking a sobriety test, and failing it, before being hauled off to face a charge of driving while intoxicated."What I did was wrong," Granhold said. "No one should drink and drive, but the consequences should have not been a beating."

She said one of the officers who arrested her slammed her head on the door frame of the police car. She said she was then placed in a holding cell at the police station and beaten by officers.

"In no way, anywhere, was I combative, so I can't imagine why I came out of jail looking the way that I did," said Granhold. She and her lawyer want answers.

"Someone, at the very least, needs to be disciplined. If it calls for that person to lose his/her job, then so be it," said Wilvin Carter, Granhold's attorney.

HPD said the the case is still being investigating by internal affairs.

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Gregory Police Chief Arrested For Criminal Mischief

Taft, Texas

The San Patricio Sheriff's Department arrested the Gregory police chief Wednesday for criminal trespass, relating to an incident where a car was vandalized several months ago.

According to the Taft Police Department, they issued the warrant for Chief Joseph Roberts, his wife, Monica Roberts and a third suspect, Eric Lee Rodriguez, earlier this week.

Taft police say a vehicle was "scratched up" by the three, and the damage done was between $500 and $1500. Police did not release the victim's name.

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Mission Police Chief Examined for Giving Away Seized Items As Gifts

Mission, Texas

Hidalgo County’s top law enforcement officials have criticized Mission’s police chief, saying he used “poor judgment” when he improperly gave away TVs and other items seized during a criminal investigation.

Chief Leo Longoria allowed the items, worth several thousand dollars, to be used as door prizes during police department and city Christmas parties. State law requires such property to be donated or sold, and the money deposited in city coffers.

Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra called the decision “a mistake” and Sheriff Lupe Treviño said Longoria had “poor judgment.”

In all, five TVs, two pressure washers, seven video game consoles and numerous other items were given away at the two parties, according to police records. Most of the items seized during the investigation were donated to charity or given to the city for official use, as allowed under Texas law.

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Houston Police Officer Under Investigation for Fatal Shooting, After Witness Disputes Officer's Account

Houston, Texas

Police say the woman had a gun and refused to drop it. The shooting happened last month in southwest Houston and now, a witness is only talking to Eyewitness News, disputing the police version of what happened.

That witness statement is now part of the internal affairs investigation which is being conducted at HPD headquarters. Brent Justice openly admits it was dark, but assured police his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.

Houston Police Officer D. Hoang shot and killed 20-year-old Ciara Lee, a suspected robber who according to HPD pointed a gun at the officer when he commanded her to drop it.

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Donut Eating Cop PSA Causes Outrage With Some Police Departments