League City Police Chief Michael Jez Gets The Boot From City Council

Michael Jez

League City, Texas

There is a job vacancy in League City – the job of police chief.

The City Council met behind closed doors on Tuesday and unanimously voted to fire Michael Jez, who has been at the job for four years. The reason or reasons for the termination have not been disclosed.

Some speculate it could involve recent allegations that Jez was enforcing an illegal ticket quota for patrol officers.

The city manager and city attorney are working to clarify the terms of the termination, which will be brought back to City Council at a future meeting.

Jez sent a memo to the police department Wednesday morning to notify officers of his departure. He denied that a ticket quota existed and he never said why he is leaving.

Lover's Quarrel Between Two Houston Police Officers Ends With Taser Gun and Arrest

HPD Officer Veronica Salmeron

Houston, Texas

The Houston Police Department has suspended one of its own, following a lover’s spat between two officers.

Houston Police Officer Veronica Salmeron was arrested over the weekend after she allegedly showed up to her ex-boyfriend's house (also an HPD officer) and vandalized his home and car.

The 25-year-old officer has bonded out of jail, but is not commenting at the moment.

Court papers filed Saturday outline the day Salmeron and a girlfriend allegedly showed up to Officer Sergio Garza's house and started trashing it.

Salmeron originally went to Garza’s home to confront him, but upon arrival, things begin to heat-up. The officer allegedly started smashing car windows with a lawn chair and then moved on to home windows.

At one point, Salmeron somehow managed to enter the home where she locked herself inside of a bathroom, sources said. Garza then tasered the woman and called 911.

Garza has not been charged. As for Salmeron, police confirmed that the second-year officer has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. Sources say Salmeron may have been drinking beforehand.

Salmeron and her friend, Rosa Posada, who was also arrested, are both expected in court on Nov. 11.

Controversy for Galena Park Police: Sex, Lies and Audiotape?

Provocative Pictures Cause Controversy for Area Police Force: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Houston, Texas

The Galena Park Police Department has about 20 officers. A storm is brewing, bringing forth allegations of discrimination, intimate relationships in the workplace, harassment, intimidation, lewd photos and audio recordings.

Harris County District Attorney's Office Defending Itself In Court Today In Connection To DWI Bat Vans

Houston, Texas

In the ongoing investigation of the City of Houston and HPD’s controversial DWI BAT vans, four members of the Harris County District Attorney's office will be in court today. Instead of their usual duties prosecuting cases, they will be explaining what they were doing with what was supposed to be secret information.

Two prosecutors and two court reporters will have to explain to a judge why they have transcripts of what should have been secret grand jury testimony.

The obtaining records of that testimony by these four would be a violation of a court order. That is why assistant district attorneys Carl Hobbs and Steve Morris, and court reporters Javier Leal and Katherine Chagaris, are required to appear before a judge today.

At this hearing they must prove why they should not be held in contempt, and sanctioned.

The Timeline of Coverage (KTRK-TV)

DA responds to Bat van controversy

 Judge threatens top DA assistants with jail time

DA's comments to ABC13 play major role in DWI case

DA called to testify about comments on BAT vans

DWI cases being heard despite evidence controversy

Four Asst. DAs subpoenaed in BAT van investigation

Is an HPD task force jeopardizing DWI cases?

Houston Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Misapplying Union Funds

Houston Police Officer Jeff Larson Pleads Guilty

Houston, Texas

A former Houston Police officer and police union treasurer pleaded guilty to misapplying union assets on Thursday.

Jeff Larson was charged with misdemeanor of fiduciary property.

As part of his punishment, Larson must hand in his badge and pay restitution, the Houston Police Officers Union says.

Larson was one of three union members charged with misapplying union assets.

“As disappointing as the actions of these former officials were, the filing of criminal charges against them and the resulting sentences have allowed the HPOU to move forward and recover some of our monetary losses,” a statement read.

Texas Judge Will Not Face Charges for Beating Daughter

Aransas County, Texas

Thursday, Rockport Police Chief Tim Jayroe said Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams won't face charges in the 2004 beating of this then-16-year-old daughter Hillary because the five-year statute of limitations has expired.

Had the incident come to light sooner, Adams likely would have been charged with causing injury to a child or other assault-related offenses, Jayroe said.

"We believe that there was a criminal offense involved and that there was substantial evidence to indicate that, and under normal circumstances ... a charge could have been made," Jayroe said.

He said the district attorney determined he couldn't bring charges, though police will discuss the case with federal prosecutors even though he doesn't believe federal charges would apply.

New Developments in Judge Adams Beating Situation: Daughter Speaks Out and Investigation Begins

"Beaten Daughter of Texas Judge Williams Adams Speaks About Viral YouTube Video"

Aransas County, Texas

The daughter of Judge William Adams, Hillary, is speaking out about the viral YouTube video depicting her father brutally beating her. Hillary Adams says that until last week, only a couple of close friends knew about the savage beating she received seven years ago from the Texas judge who handles child abuse cases.

Aransas County Judge William Adams

Now the beating is on display to the world on YouTube thanks to a secret video she made, and her father, Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, is the subject of a police investigation.

The clip was shot in 2004 and shows William Adams violently whipping his teenage daughter in the legs more than a dozen times and profanely berating the teenager for more than seven minutes.

Hillary Adams stressed that she did not post the video as revenge and does not want her father punished. Rather, she did it because she thinks it will force him to seek help, and because he has been harassing her and she thought posting the clip would make that stop.

Rockport Police, the Texas Rangers and the Aransas County District Attorney are investigating. Another judge will take over William Adams' caseload until the matter is fully investigated.

Police launched an investigation Wednesday after receiving calls from people who saw the video online.

"I was disgusted. I was appalled," said Legal Analyst Brian Wice.

Wice said the judge was elected to a four-year term, but could be forced to leave earlier.

"I think the judge should be as concerned if not more concerned with losing his bench if the Commission on Judicial Conduct believes that he no longer has the right, the privilege, the entitlement to be county court at law judge," Wice said.

By the way, Judge Adams has issued a response.

A "Do Not Re-Elect Judge William Adams Facebook page has been set-up. Check it out here.

 Also, the courthouse (after being bombarded with calls of concern), issued the following:

N E W S R E L E A S E

County of Aransas, 301 N. Live Oak, Rockport, Texas 78382

Aransas County Judge C. H. "Burt" Mills, Jr., 361-790-0100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 2, 2011

ARANSAS COUNTY, TEXAS - Judge Burt Mills has today announced that Aransas County is aware of the video posted on YouTube regarding County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, and the matter is now under review by the Police Department. Please refrain from communication with County offices or the Sheriff's Department on this matter until the review has been completed. Calls, emails, and faxes only create disruptions for other ongoing county business. The public's cooperation would be most appreciated.