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Ex-Surfside Beach cop indicted
Published July 18, 2007
ANGLETON — A former Surfside Village police officer awaiting trial on a charge of official oppression could lose his peace officer’s license if convicted or placed on deferred adjudication.
Hector Almazan Gonzalez, 41, of Lake Jackson is accused of showing a 21-year-old female store clerk pictures of himself wearing underwear, asking to take pictures of her “chest area” and spanking her April 22, a probable cause affidavit states.
Gonzalez allegedly was wearing his police officer’s uniform at the time of the alleged incident.
He was indicted last week on a charge of official oppression, a class A misdemeanor, by a Brazoria County grand jury. If convicted, he could face a possible year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Gonzalez, who was a sergeant in the Surfside Village Police Department, resigned from his post May 8. Police Chief Randy Smith and Mayor James Bedward both declined to comment about the case, citing the ongoing litigation.
Gonzalez could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
According to court documents, Gonzalez told Freeport police, who investigated the incident, he e-mailed the pictures of himself to others and wanted the girl to see if she could recognize them. He also admitted to spanking the girl, the affidavit states.
Gonzalez’s actions were an abuse of power, and he should be held accountable, said Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne.
“We have a responsibility to the public,” she said. “We cannot tolerate abuses of power. People are subject to our authority and we have to be responsible for that authority.”
Any officer indicted on a criminal offense has 30 days to report the indictment to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Conviction of a Class A misdemeanor or a guilty plea could mean a life suspension for a Texas peace officer, said Cynthia Martinez, director of executive and legal services for the commission.
“If they’re convicted or placed on (deferred) adjudication, the commission will seek to revoke their peace officer’s license,” Martinez said.
Officers whose licenses are revoked can request an administrative hearing to protest the action, Martinez said. The commission has not received notification of Gonzalez’s indictment, she said.
John Tompkins covers Brazoria County courts for The Facts. Contact him at (979) 849-8581.
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