Defenders | Investigations

Using public documents, well-placed sources and shoe-leather reporting, our investigative team finds out what’s really going on and brings the truth to light. Fair. Exact. Smart.

Reporters Dillon Collier and Tim Gerber think you deserve the truth and that the voiceless should be heard. Want to privately share a tip with the Defenders? Email defenders@ksat.com.

Felony charge dismissed against ex-SA River Authority supervisor after he completes pretrial diversion

A felony aggravated assault charge against a former supervisor with the San Antonio River Authority was dismissed last month after the man completed a pretrial diversion ...

Dillon Collier answers your questions about ‘Broken Blue’ investigative special

Officers were granted a reinstatement after they were fired in 67.5% of cases in the last decade, according to data obtained by KSAT under public information law.

Another Region 20 lawsuit: Woman fired after refusing to discipline target of supervisor’s sexually charged texts

A lawsuit filed in state district court late last month accuses officials with Education Service Center Region 20 of targeting an employee and ultimately firing her after...

Comal County deputy facing 12 criminal charges, after SAPD says he operated a bar without a license

An off-duty Comal County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested in San Antonio late last week and now faces a dozen criminal charges after investigators said he was operati...

Understand: How arbitration plays out for disciplined San Antonio police officers

Police officers have the right to appeal any disciplinary action against them. So how does the process work?

WATCH: ‘Broken Blue’ investigative special digs into police discipline at SAPD

Officers were granted a reinstatement after they were fired in 67.5% of cases in the last decade, according to data obtained by KSAT under public information law.

Debrief: KSAT Defenders break down ‘Broken Blue’ investigative series

GMSA @ 9 talks with Defenders Dillon Collier and Tim Gerber to discuss the series, which will culminate with a one-hour investigative special airing on Jan. 12 at 9 p.m.

SAPD officer had an unusual offer: Beat him in a fight and you could go free

Officer Matthew Belver remains a police officer after two indefinite suspensions.

Protections for police officers accused of misconduct in San Antonio

VIA suspends officer after family violence arrest at North Side home

SAPD officer fired 6 times fighting for reinstatement — again

A lying SAPD officer was reinstated after he cited his military record. That was a lie, too.

Officer Michael Garza: From rising star to SAPD castoff

Municipal court supervisor accused of slapping security guard, calling him ‘rent-a-pig’

La Vernia ISD yet to hand over text messages of former superintendent, despite AG’s ruling

SAPD officer who gave homeless man a feces sandwich trying to win back job for a second time

Off-duty cop who beat fiancee with rock was only SAPD officer to have firing upheld in 2019

Disgraced SA attorney takes plea deal in felony forgery case, must have restitution ready to avoid jail

Records: SA man fondled teen, punched SAPD officer in the head

Region 20 protected supervisor who sent graphic sexual text messages to subordinate, federal lawsuit claims

Records: SA attorney brought pistol into courthouse

2 San Antonio nurses arrested after airport authorities find 700 Tramadol pills

Two San Antonio nurses were arrested Monday after law enforcement authorities in Houston said the pair was found with hundreds of grams of prescription painkillers at Geo...

Intoxicated BCSO deputy pepper-sprayed during sports bar disturbance later turned over to supervisor, SAPD says

Convicted child abuser faces up to 25 years in prison after plea agreement in child sex case

WATCH: Judge campaigns for daughter in Texas senate race; appears to violate state judicial code of conduct

Undercover videos obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders show Bexar County Justice of the Peace Ciro Rodriguez campaigning for his daughter, a candidate for Texas Senate Distr...

After vowing to not seek full term, Vazquez files to run for Precinct 2 constable in 2020

Interim Precinct 2 Constable Leticia Vazquez officially announced her candidacy for the position Monday, two months after telling county commissioners she had no plans to...

Thousands of felony defendants, many who harmed others, considered for free bail in Bexar County

A months-long investigation by the KSAT 12 Defenders found thousands of defendants charged with felonies in Bexar County being interviewed for possible release without ha...

Fired SAPD detective faces more trouble after confronting fellow officer who helped decide his fate

A veteran San Antonio Police Department detective fired this summer after being charged with domestic violence faces a separate suspension for confronting a fellow office...

Records reveal another allegation against SAPD officer charged with stalking

San Antonio police suspension records uncovered a new domestic violence allegation against Officer Kenneth Moreno, who was arrested in May on suspicion of stalking.

Vulgar, sexually explicit and anti-police social media posts linked to municipal court employee

East Side councilwoman in bitter pay dispute with campaign worker who helped get her elected

Texas family warns of dangers at indoor trampoline parks

Arbitrator upholds firing of SAPD officer accused of smashing ex-fiancee’s face with a river rock

Undocumented duo accused of scamming people in 4 states arrested in San Antonio

Report: Barrientes Vela used deputies to intimidate store manager who accused her son of shoplifting

Public safety officer suspensions in San Antonio (last names A-E)

Records: San Antonio paid city employees on administrative leave nearly $360k since 2016

‘Harassed and retaliated against‘: Precinct 2 deputy confronted at home, stripped of service weapon after filing to run against Barrientes Vela

Convicted child abuser indicted for sex assault of 9-year-old child allowed visitations with son, 5

Fired SAPD detective fights for his job, new records reveal threatening voicemails left to mistress

Records reveal off-duty detective's drunken, expletive-filled rant after girlfriend called police

SAPD officer in off-duty shootout involved in 2nd road rage incident months earlier

'Under fire': Employees confront Catholic Charities CEO about agency problems

Nearly 100 Catholic Charities of San Antonio employees attended the Oct. 3 event known as the State of the Agency conference at the nonprofit's headquarters at 202 West F...

SA River Authority executive ousted after sitting on racism complaint for 8 months

A top official with the San Antonio River Authority resigned late last month after an investigation determined that he failed to report a possibly racially charged act fo...

Caught in the act: Footage shows fired SAPD officer struggle with security over stolen items, gun

A now-fired San Antonio police officer concealed fragrances in a bag and grappled with security officers over her weapon as they attempted to take her into custody, polic...

One week after being fired from Pct. 2, former chief deputy enters race to be its next constable

A week after being fired as chief deputy of the Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable's Office, Anthony Castillo has filed the necessary paperwork to run for Precinct 2 const...

Former Bexar County judicial employee arrested, accused of exposing genitals to undercover officer

A former Bexar County judicial employee faces an indecent exposure charge after being accused of showing his genitals to a San Antonio police officer working undercover a...

Bexar Sheriff fires deputy arrested on weapons charges, disciplines 9 other employees

A deputy accused of unlawfully carrying a handgun while in uniform earlier this year has been formally terminated by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, according to suspe...

Barrientes Vela appoints treasurer, officially enters race for Bexar County Sheriff

Former Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela has appointed a campaign treasurer and entered the race to become Bexar County Sheriff, according to paperwork filed ...

Top SA River Authority officials recorded discussing culture of racism within agency

In leaked audio recordings provided to the KSAT 12 Defenders, three top officials with the San Antonio River Authority are heard discussing a culture of racism within one...

'Robbing Peter to pay Paul': Internal memo shows impact of deputy overtime on sheriff's budget

The June 3 memo, written by BCSO business manager Manuel Angeles, shows that ten accounts in the agency's technology fund had already gone into negative figures with four...

Sources: Barrientes Vela ordered deputies to search for vehicle stolen from husband's car lot

While in office, former Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela ordered deputies from her agency to search for a luxury sport utility vehicle stolen fr...

Chief deputy fired, captain on leave as Precinct 2 shake-up is underway

Less than a day after Michelle Barrientes Vela agreed to vacate her position as Bexar County Precinct 2 constable, a major shake-up has taken place within her former admi...

Bar owner, patron accused of assaulting officer after SAPD breaks up after hours drinking party

A San Antonio police officer attempting to stop bar patrons from drinking after hours was injured after the establishment's owner and a customer assaulted him, an SAPD in...

Who’s who of SA politicians accepted donations from business owners linked to San Angelo kickback scheme

Bexar County Jail inmate to face additional charges after attacking inmate, officials say

BCSO deputies blamed for erroneous releases had suspensions shortened from a total of 55 days down to six days

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