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.

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

A number of social media posts ranging from insensitive to outright vulgar and sexual in nature have been linked to the Facebook account of a San Antonio Municipal Court ...

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

A check bearing the signature of District 2 City Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan was marked "not authorized" last month, prolonging a months-long pay dispute with a ca...

Texas family warns of dangers at indoor trampoline parks

A 2016 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found between 2011 and 2014 "the number of emergency department visits from injuries sustained at trampoline park...

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

An independent arbitrator has upheld the termination of a San Antonio police officer accused of smashing his ex fiancee's face with a river rock outside a Stone Oak apart...

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

Records: Warren football coach kicked student, could face felony charge

Serial meat thief who targeted SA supermarkets for years gets months in jail

BCSO announces new hire of administrator to help run troubled jail

Ex-jailer arrested after attending fallen deputy's funeral

10 takeaways from the explosive search warrant for ex-Pct. 2 Constable Barrientes Vela

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...

Fired SAPD officer pleads guilty to felony drug charge

A San Antonio Police officer fired last year after her arrest for shoplifting had the charge dismissed after pleading guilty to felony drug possession, a spokeswoman for ...

MacArthur football coach charged with assault after incident in North Central Texas

Bexar County Jail inmate hospitalized after trying to choke himself to death

Watch: Your questions answered about Precinct 2 constable turmoil

County narrows list of candidates to replace Barrientes Vela

Taxpayers paid for training conference that Barrientes Vela skipped, again

Judge delays replacement of Pct. 2 Constable Barrientes Vela; names of 29 applicants released

10 controversies surrounding embattled Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela

3 BCSO sergeants placed on leave after erroneous releases back at work

Court clerk exposed himself, allegedly groped deputy; BCSO twice refused to file charges

FBI, Texas Rangers raid Precinct 2 constable's office, seize county vehicle

Former Precinct 2 deputy constable 'not surprised' by raid of Barrientes Vela's office

WATCH: Sheriff's office supervisors interfere with DWI stop of fellow deputy

Residents suing developer, home builder over 'sewage nightmare' in far north Bexar County

Embattled Precinct 2 constable announces future political plans

Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela announced Friday that she will seek a second term in office.

‘Pattern of problems': City moves Catholic Charities to ‘high risk' status, withholds funds

The city of San Antonio placed Catholic Charities in “high risk” status and withheld more than $2,000 in funding after a review of the local nonprofit uncovered a list of...

All 3 men were charged with violent felonies. Bexar County let them out for free.

Criminal defendants in Bexar County ⁠— some charged with heinous offenses ⁠— are being released on their own recognizance after being held in jail 90 days or longer.

Sheriff backtracks on previous memo forcing some deputies to take time off instead of paying OT

UPDATE: Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Friday his office will not force personnel to take accrued leave in an effort to avoid paying them overtime, rescinding a...

Officers more likely to commit violence once given the right to unionize, research shows

A study from a group of professors at the University of Chicago Law School found a 40% increase in violent incidents among law enforcement agencies after those department...

List of public safety officer suspensions (last names U-Z)

The list below shows public safety officer suspensions from November 2013 to present for last names that range from the letters U to Z.

List of public safety officer suspensions (last names K-O)

The list below shows public safety officer suspensions from November 2013 to present for last names that range from the letters K to O.

List of public safety officer suspensions (last names P-T)

The list below shows public safety officer suspensions from November 2013 to present for last names that range from the letters P to T.

List of public safety officer suspensions (last names F-J)

The list below shows public safety officer suspensions from November 2013 to present for last names that range from the letters F to J.

List of public safety officer suspensions (last names A-E)

The list below shows public safety officer suspensions from November 2013 to present for last names that range from the letters A to E.

Inmate's early release to ICE in 'direct violation of BCSO policy'

An inmate was mistakenly released from the Bexar County Jail to Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

Sheriff investigating erroneous inmate releases as potential sabotage by frustrated jail staff

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar confirmed on Friday his office is investigating whether some of the mistaken inmate releases that have hampered his agency the past ei...

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

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

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