BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office arrested one of its own deputies earlier this week on a family violence charge, online jail records show.
Jose Lars Alba, 38, has been charged with causing bodily injury to a family member Monday, which is considered a Class A misdemeanor, records indicate.
Jail records show Alba was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center just after 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. Alba bonded out of custody at approximately 8:42 a.m. Wednesday, according to records.
A source told KSAT that Alba, a member of BCSO’s SWAT Team, identified the family member as his significant other.
How law enforcement was notified
According to Alba’s arrest warrant obtained by KSAT late Wednesday morning, medical staff at a San Antonio-area hospital told law enforcement about a reported family violence assault just after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The victim told hospital staff that she had been assaulted by Alba, her fiancé, investigators said. Staff initially contacted San Antonio police before learning the alleged assault was within BCSO’s jurisdiction.
In a Wednesday morning statement, BCSO said Alba “allegedly caused bruising” to the family member. According to the affidavit, investigators found “redness on both sides” of the victim’s neck as well as “bruising and discoloration” in her bicep and triceps areas.
The victim told deputies the altercation began late Sunday before it continued into the early hours of Monday morning.
The woman, who lives with Alba at a home in the 11100 block of Buckskin Bend, said he “placed both hands” around her neck, but he didn’t stop her ability to breathe, documents show. The pressure applied to her neck, however, did cause the woman “pain and discomfort.”
Following her release from the hospital, the woman asked deputies to transport her to a nearby hotel.
BCSO’s response to the arrest
The sheriff’s office said Alba has been with BCSO for 12 years. In accordance with its policies, BCSO said Alba has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and could face termination.
A BCSO spokesperson also said the sheriff’s office is conducting a criminal and an internal investigation into Alba.
According to a KSAT Investigates analysis, Alba is the fifth deputy arrested this year.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there is so much help for you. KSAT has a list of resources on its Domestic Violence webpage, which also explains how to identify different types of abuse.
If it’s an emergency, text or call 911. For wrap-around services, including the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, call Family Violence Prevention Services at (210) 733-8810.
You can also contact the Bexar County Family Justice Center, which also provides wrap-around services at (210) 631-0100.
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