Monday, November 21, 2011
Witnesses Come Forward in Another Alleged Beating By Houston Police Officers
Houston, Texas
Last month, a story surfaced involving another beating by Houston Police officers.
The victim, Anthony Childress, says he was beaten by officers after being stopped on his bicycle.
Both witnesses refused to be identified, saying that they fear Houston Police.
Houston’s police chief put out a statement last month that stated the internal investigation of this complaint would be thorough. He also asked the public to reserve judgment until all the facts are in.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Houston Police Officer Sgt. Leslie Aikens Convicted on Federal Corruption Charges
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| Sergeant Leslie Aikens |
Houston, Texas
A police officer from the Houston Police Department has been convicted by a federal jury on corruption charges.
An announcement by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, names the 19-year veteran, Sergeant Leslie Aikens.
Aikens was indicted back in June, charged with aiding and abetting possession of a controlled substance by providing an escort for drugs through the Houston area in his police vehicle. He was also charged with extortion for accepting a $2,000 bribe to provide the protection for the vehicle he believed to be transporting 7 kilograms of cocaine.
Magidson says the jury found Aikens guilty on all counts he was charged with.
Aikens faces up to life in prison. He's set to be sentenced Feb. 2.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Lamesa Cop Robert Gonzales Arrested For Tampering With and Fabricating Evidence
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| Lamesa Police Officer Robert Gonzales |
Here’s one that really makes no sense at all. Our douche bag cop of the week award goes to Lamesa police officer Robert Gonzales, who was arrested and charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence.
Back in October, According to a Texas Ranger's affidavit, Gonzales told police that his motorcycle had been vandalized.
According to the statement the motorcycle had been dragged away, damaged with a sharp tool, and doused with lighter fluid in an attempt to set it on fire.
The affidavit states later that day, Gonzales gave a detective a threatening note written on a paper napkin which Gonzales claims he found in the bike's coolant reservoir.
Lamesa Police Chief Richard Garcia said other investigators soon got involved.
“As a result of the investigation and some things we were running across, we contacted the Texas rangers to assist us,” Gonzales said. “Basically what they did, when they arrive, they take over the investigation.”
During an interview with the Texas Rangers, Gonzales confessed that he made the note to either redirect the focus in the investigation or to solicit more attention to the case.
Garcia said Officer Gonzales has been with his department for 14 or 15 months.
He is currently on administrative leave, pending the outcome.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
League City Police Chief Michael Jez Gets The Boot From City Council
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| Michael Jez |
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.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Lover's Quarrel Between Two Houston Police Officers Ends With Taser Gun and Arrest
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| HPD Officer Veronica Salmeron |
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?
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.
Monday, November 7, 2011
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.
At this hearing they must prove why they should not be held in contempt, and sanctioned.
The Timeline of Coverage (KTRK-TV)
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