Witness explains bogus undercover operation

Two former SAPD officers facing sex charges

SAN ANTONIO – Testimony was sexually explicit as a woman told the jury how she was duped by two San Antonio police officers who said they were setting up an undercover sting operation to snare high-profile criminals.

The officers, Alejandro Chapa, 31, and Emmanuel Galindo, 33, have since been fired and are on trial facing sexual assault, compelling prostitution and official oppression charges.

Due to the sexual nature of the case, KSAT 12 is not identifying the woman. She said the two approached her offering to pay her for her participation in an undercover operation.

“It seemed too good to be true, but it was a risk I was willing to take,” the woman told the jury Wednesday.

The woman said that her participation included posing as the officers’ wives or girlfriends. In order to be accepted, she said she was asked to sign a contract and complete a questionnaire.

She said that questions included, “Would you be OK with sexual activity?” and “What type of sexual activity?” and “How far we were willing to go with sexual activity.”

A series of performance tests followed, she said, that included a visit to her apartment by Galindo.

“He said, ‘Make me believe that you love me,’” the woman testified. “Then we did the dance and he took pictures of me in my bra and panties.”

The woman said that the last two of five performance tests were conducted at a downtown high rise and included sexual contact with Galindo.

The former officer’s defense team has insisted all along that the pair did nothing illegal.  A conviction could mean up to 20 years in prison for the pair.

Testimony is expected to continue on Thursday in Judge Steve Hilbig’s 187th District Court.

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About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.