2 SAPD Officers Suspended From Force Following Arrests

POSTED: Wednesday, May 17, 2006

UPDATED: 1:22 pm CDT May 17, 2006

SAN ANTONIO -- A pair of San Antonio police officers have been placed on temporary suspension without pay following their arrests this week on federal charges.

Officer Roberto Garza Jr. is accused of violating the civil rights of a 16-year-old when the lawman allegedly used excessive force during the arrest of the teen in March 2003 following a police chase.

Garza, a five-year veteran of the force, allegedly punched the handcuffed juvenile and hit the teen with his knee, the release said.

Another police officer witnessed the incident and reported it to his superiors.

A federal grand jury indicted Garza on Tuesday and he was arrested on Wednesday.

If Garza is found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and maximum fine of $250,000.

In an unrelated incident, a 42-year-old police officer was arrested Tuesday by San Antonio Police Department Narcotics detectives and SWAT officers.

Officer Joseph Evans, a nine-year veteran, was charged with federal narcotics violations.

No further details about his arrest were immediately available.

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