CLEAT Condemns Trooper Indictment by Travis County DA

AUSTIN, Texas—This afternoon, a CLEAT member employed as a Texas State Trooper was indicted on an Aggravated Assault by a Public Servant charge by Travis County District Attorney, Jose Garza. The incident occurred in July of 2023 when the Trooper was involved in a vehicle pursuit of a wanted felon that developed into a foot pursuit involving two Troopers. Our member discharged his firearm in his attempt to apprehend the suspect, who fled into a wooded area. 

The suspect was a documented gang member who had previously been released after reaching for a firearm in his waistband during an encounter with police officers. Following that incident, he was again arrested on a first-degree felony for distributing narcotics and was given a sweetheart deal by Jose Garza. As of today, the suspect involved has four pending felony cases in Travis County and is a career criminal.

“How this documented gang member, felon in possession of a firearm, drug dealer was able to roam the streets of Austin is the question we should all be asking. Garza is a continued danger to the residents of Travis County as well as the law enforcement officers sworn to protect and uphold the law,” says Robert Leonard, CLEAT Executive Director. “We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… the revolving door of justice is placing our law enforcement officers in great danger, and this is being perpetuated at an unprecedented level by Garza and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.”

CLEAT Legal stands ready to defend our member and the men and women who protect our communities.

About CLEAT: Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) is the largest statewide law enforcement association in Texas, dedicated to providing legal protection, legislative advocacy, and professional support for law enforcement professionals statewide and consisting of over 28,000 members. With a commitment to protecting the rights of officers and ensuring they have the resources needed to serve their communities effectively, CLEAT stands at the forefront of law enforcement representation. For more information, visit www.cleat.org.

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