SA youth basketball coach arrested, accused of failing to disclose he’s a registered sex offender
A youth basketball coach has been taken into custody on two felony charges, after San Antonio police said he accompanied children on out of town trips without disclosing that he is a registered sex offender.
Cease and desist letter: Schertz PD consultant destroyed or removed decade worth of evidence from property room
Over a decade worth of evidence was destroyed or removed from the Schertz Police Department’s property room without prosecutorial review, according to a cease and desist letter obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders.
Window company owner accused of stealing deposits says he skipped town to avoid disgruntled customers
About half of the customers of the Republic of Texas Window Company who spoke with the Defenders in recent weeks have filed complaints against owner James Hunter Townsend with local law enforcement, the Texas Attorney General’s Office or both.
15 months probation for Johnson HS student responsible for two violent assaults on campus
A Johnson High School freshman who violently assaulted a classmate and then the school’s assistant principal in separate attacks this past school year was sentenced to 15 months probation and must enter a secure placement facility.
Ex-San Marcos police sergeant who killed woman in crash hit with federal lawsuit in unrelated stun gun incident
The suit, filed in federal court in Austin Tuesday, accuses ex-sergeant Ryan Hartman of using his department-issued stun gun in January 2021 on a compliant man who was following Hartman’s instructions after exiting the backseat of the car he was riding in.
Hair pulling, groping, verbal attacks: Female convention center employees detail trauma caused by male supervisors
A nearly year-long investigation by the KSAT 12 Defenders found women who work at the massive complex subjected to treatment at the hands of men they report to that included one woman having her hair pulled and another being temporarily committed to a psychiatric unit earlier this year after attempting to file a complaint at city hall.
‘It’s truly just voter intimidation’: NISD pressured staff, tracked votes during bond election, records show
Employees at multiple Northside Independent School District campuses have told the KSAT 12 Defenders in recent weeks that administrators relentlessly pressured them to vote on a May bond measure, tracked whether they had cast a ballot and in one instance threatened discipline if they failed to do so.
Uvalde CISD police hosted active shooter training in March that urged ‘immediate, decisive action’
The course included scenario training and informed officers taking part that in active shooter cases they “will usually be required to place themselves in harm’s way and display uncommon acts of courage to save the innocent.”
‘Lost opportunity to show resolve’: Secret swearing-in of Uvalde CISD chief as councilman was legal, but expert says it sends the wrong message
The swearing-in of Pete Arredondo and other recently elected Uvalde city council members Tuesday without a public ceremony was legal but sends the wrong message, an expert in local governance told KSAT on Wednesday.
‘Garbage, filth, rot’: Records paint troubling picture of nurse who runs unregulated Castle Hills nursing home
A twice-sanctioned nurse continues to operate an unlicensed boarding home in Castle Hills despite two previous criminal cases against her in Bexar County involving people in her care, a KSAT 12 Defenders investigation reveals.
VIA PD chief: No plans to create video release policy or ban chokeholds outright
Amid criticism that his department operates under a veil of secrecy and refuses to adopt reform measures, VIA Transit Police Chief Mark Witherell said the agency will not create a critical incident video release policy or outright ban the use of chokeholds.
Bexar County repeatedly honored deputy who died of COVID-19. Now they’re suing his widow.
More than two years after her husband became the first Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy to die of complications from COVID-19, Pauline Pezina De La Fuente continues a drawn out legal battle for his county death benefits.
Johnson HS student was allowed back on campus after a violent attack. Then he struck again.
A Johnson High School freshman allowed to return to campus months after he violently assaulted a classmate now faces a felony assault charge after records show he attacked Johnson’s assistant principal, hospitalizing him.
Comal chief appraiser resigns amid flurry of staff compensation complaints
Rufino “Hector” Lozano submitted his resignation April 5. Although he stated in his resignation letter that he would be available to help with the transition to a new leader through the end of the month, an appraisal district official confirmed Thursday Lozano’s resignation became effective immediately.
Embattled Medina Valley athletic director accuses community members of slander
The athletic director and head football coach of Medina Valley Independent School District is pushing back on allegations of erratic behavior and workplace bullying, accusing several people in the community of slander in letters sent by an attorney he has retained.
BCSO admits to search warrant clerical error in West Side standoff where deputy was shot, suspect was killed
A search warrant for the property where a Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy was shot and a suspect was killed last week included the information for the wrong person, BCSO officials admitted Monday.
Wrong Harlandale student questioned by CPS investigators reveals breakdown between agency, school district
A Harlandale High School freshman pulled from class last week to be interviewed by Child Protective Services investigators was not the correct student they were looking for, district officials confirmed this week.
Records: SAPD lieutenant suspended 30 days after sexually graphic remarks about female sergeant
A San Antonio Police Department sergeant who told other officers to imagine him having sex with a female sergeant has been suspended 30 days, discipline records obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders Thursday show.
City Council approves $300K settlement in Texas’ sanctuary cities lawsuit against McManus
San Antonio city council on Thursday is scheduled to vote on a $300,000 settlement for a 2018 lawsuit that accused SAPD Chief William McManus of flouting a state law that requires local governments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Council weighing $300K settlement in sanctuary cities lawsuit against McManus
San Antonio city council on Thursday is scheduled to vote on a $300,000 settlement for a 2018 lawsuit that accused SAPD Chief William McManus of flouting a state law that requires local governments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
BCSO deputy cleared of manslaughter charge speaks out after ‘stressful’ week under indictment
In his first public comments since being cleared of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting death of a man in Elmendorf in 2020, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brandin Moran said Thursday his brief indictment for manslaughter had a significant emotional impact on him and his family.
Barrientes Vela barred from leaving Bexar County, attending political events after Dallas convention skirmish
Michelle Barrientes Vela is now prohibited from leaving Bexar County and attending political events after the judge overseeing her upcoming public corruption trial set special conditions of bond during a court hearing Thursday morning.