Houston Police Vice Cops Caught On Camera Having Good Time at Gentlemen’s Club With Your Tax Money

Houston, Texas

Anyone familiar with Houston will know, from all the headlines lately, that city officials have been focusing a lot of attention to on a particular gentlemen’s club. According to police, Treasures, the Galleria-area cabaret, is a haven for crime that needs frequent police attention.

Houston vice cops have certainly been offering that personal, frequent attention to the popular nightspot. In fact, so much attention, that surveillance video has been captured of the officers eagerly “investigating” the club atmosphere.

"They're in there drinking beer, having a good time and getting dances from pretty girls," said attorney Casey Wallace, who represents Treasures.

The video in question depicts a Houston police Sergeant letting his fingers wander while getting a private dance. The Sergeant can also be seen kissing the breasts of the dancer in public.

In the September 2009 video, the sergeant’s partner also is seen groping another dancer on the same night.

In fact, police records show during their investigation, the two cops over two days, bought alcohol and table dances totaling $850 of taxpayer money.

According to the police report, there is a very good reason: “In order to keep from looking suspicious.”

And what was the result of the two-day operation?

“(There was) not a single arrest, not a single criminal charge, nothing but some officers inside having a good time in Treasures," Wallace claimed.

Police records reveal similar visits to the club. In April, three undercover officers got table dances, and "observed numerous sexually-oriented business violations,” but chose not to make any arrests. They did write "investigation to continue.” Three days later, the same cops went in again, and again they got table dances and observed violations. But again, no arrests were made. And again they determined, “investigation to continue."

And then there’s a case in May, where undercover cops came to the club and officers negotiated for two dancers "to engage in oral sex with each other.” But instead of arresting them immediately, the cops "observed the suspects" doing the sex act and "waited for this to be completed."

By the way, the two officers in the video have since been transferred to other divisions. Go figure.

Kenneth Brian Releford: Another Mentally Ill, Unarmed Man Fatally Killed by Houston Police Officers

Kenneth Brian Releford

Brian Claunch

Rufino Lara

Houston, Texas

Has the City of Houston found a new way to rid the city of mentally ill people?

Houston Police fatally shot another unarmed man, Kenneth Brian Releford, early Thursday morning near downtown, following a confrontation when he approached officers with a hand tucked behind his back, according to police.

HPD spokesperson John Cannon said police went to the neighborhood following a confrontation among residents, in which Releford had allegedly sexually assaulted a boy down the road. He said Releford knocked down the front door of the boy's house, pushed aside an 87-year-old man in a wheelchair, and took the boy to a backroom where he sexually assaulted him.

When officer J. Rosemon arrived, he went to Releford's house, and knocked at his door. Releford answered and, police said, began yelling. His hand was behind his back. He began approaching police, Cannon said. Releford wouldn't back away or follow orders, Cannon said. Roseman, apparently fearing for his life, shot and killed Releford. Of course, as it turns out, Releford was unarmed.

A neighbor spoke with the media after the incident and disputed the officer’s claims that Releford wasn’t listening to his commands. She also said the suspect had both his hands in the air.

"He called the boy to him, and when he called the boy to him the boy kept walking to him and he shot him – right there in the middle of the street on Sampson at Francis," one witness told the media. "Then the boy got up and staggered back toward Francis that way and the man said ‘Don’t run, come back here!’ and the boy started to come back and they shot him again."

If you have been counting, as we have, you know this is the second time in three weeks that police gunned down a person who had a suspected mental illness.

Sure, police have a right to protect themselves. Although lately, especially within the Houston Police Department, there seems to be an over use of the phrases, “The officer fearing for his life,” “The suspect reached for his waistband,” or “The suspect had a shiny item” (ball-point pen, perhaps?).

The question remains: How can police protect themselves against a possible armed suspect, while minimizing the risk of killing an unarmed, mentally-unstable person?

Well, don’t turn to HPD’s Jodi Silva for any real answers. In the latest case involving the fatal shooting of a mentally ill person, this was the best she could do.

"Every police officer must take a training class on mental issues," said Jodi Silva, a police spokesperson. "But outside of that? It's up to the individual officer to seek additional preventive training if they want it." Silva said she didn't how many hours police spend in the class, or what it covers.

Last month, it was a double-amputee in a wheelchair, Brian Claunch, who was gunned down at the hands of a Houston police officer. In that case, police say they feared for their life when the man was waving a shiny object. Turns out, the shiny object was a ball-point pen. It became clear in the days afterward that Claunch had been mentally ill.

Last summer, Rufino Lara was fatally shot by police. Lara, an undocumented worker from El Salvador, was killed after he didn't show his hands like police had asked him to. According to police, Lara had his hand in his waistband. Fearing for their lives, the officers shot him.

Grapevine Police Officer Phillip Woolery Busted for Child Porn

Grapevine police officer Phillip Woolery

Grapevine, Texas

Authorities were very busy recently, raiding a home in Crowley. It’s not a frequent occurrence in town, but that is not what makes it so alarming. No, what makes this raid disturbing is the identity of the homeowner and the reason for the raid.

The homeowner has been identified as Phillip Woolery, 46, a 17-year veteran of the Grapevine Police Department. Woolery has been taken into custody on child pornography charges.

Former U.S. Attorney Matt Orwig says charges like these are serious, particularly for a member of law enforcement.

“It’s very serious anytime a police officer is arrested. And this is going to be a very serious offense,” he said. “Penalties for possession and transfer of child porn are very severe.”

Woolery is now on administrative leave.

Houston Police Officer and Convicted Rapist Abraham Joseph Sentenced to Life In Prison

Houston, Texas

It was a good day down at the courthouse in Harris County. Houston police officer and convicted rapist Abraham Joseph stood before the jury that convicted him. After five hours of deliberations, the jury sentenced Joseph to life in prison for raping the woman he arrested.

Abraham Joseph, 29, was found guilty Thursday of two counts of aggravated sexual assault. Joseph kidnapped a waitress outside of El Diamante Nite Club, 3416 W. Fuqua, on Jan. 2, 2011, while he was on duty. Prosecutors said Joseph handcuffed her, drove her to a secluded section of Townwood Park, 3600 Simsbrook, and raped her.

"I'm not surprised by the sentence in light of the allegations that came out in the punishment," defense attorney Nicole DeBorde said.

On Friday, prosecutors called several women to the stand. The women claim that they were also sexually assaulted by Joseph.

In closing arguments in the punishment phase, prosecutors told the jury that Abraham used his authority to intimidate several women.

"Truth of the matter is you have been sitting in the courtroom for a month with a serial rapist. I hope that's an experience you never have again," prosecutor Heyward Carter said.

The victim said Joseph was dressed in his uniform and armed when she was kidnapped.

Prosecutors said Joseph originally arrested the woman and a man in in the parking lot of the night club. Surveillance tape helped verify the victim’s story that Joseph dropped the man off on the side of the road, took her to the park and then raped her while she was still handcuffed.

Joseph's attorney claimed the sex was consensual.

The jury consisted of five women and seven men.

DeBorde said she has already filed an appeal of the verdict. She said she is withdrawing from the case and Joseph will be assigned an appellate attorney.

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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Houston Police Officer Abraham Joseph Guilty of Rape

Houston, Texas

If you are a cantina waitress, or any other woman in the Houston, Texas area, you are a little safer tonight. Houston police officer and now convicted rapist Abraham Joseph will probably not be on the streets for a good long while.

Thursday, a jury found 29-year-old Abraham Joseph guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault.

Joseph, who has since been fired from HPD, handcuffed and arrested a waitress and another man in January 2011, and drove them away from the cantina where she worked, said investigators. Surveillance photos show Joseph letting the man out at a gas station. The woman said she was then driven to a nearby park at 3 a.m. and repeatedly raped by Joseph.

Prosecutors have suspected Joseph in numerous other rapes as well, which was confirmed by another victim that the jury heard testimony from.

Joseph's wife collapsed into tears when the verdict was read.

The victim also cried, but her tears were for relief. She told reporters that she thanked God because justice had been served.

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Jury Will Hear From Second Rape Victim of Houston Police Officer Abraham Joseph

Houston, Texas

Things just got worse for Houston police officer and accused rapist Abraham Joseph. The lingering debate over whether or not to allow other victims to testify has been resolved.

Judge Denise Collins listened intently as prosecutors presented two other women. The first is a woman who worked at the Diamonte night club, the same club where Joseph's accuser also worked. She testified that the former police officer sexually assaulted her twice, and each time he threatened to take her to jail if she didn't cooperate.

The second woman grew emotional on the stand, visibly sobbing as she accused the officer of assaulting her while in uniform in 2010.

After listening to the two women, Judge Collins decided to allow at least one to tell her story in front of the jury. The woman began her testimony Monday afternoon, detailing how Officer Joseph told her she had open warrants, and how she was in fear of being arrested.

The defense was hoping to keep this testimony from the jury.