BROWNSVILLE — John Chambers, a candidate for Cameron County sheriff and former Indian Lake police chief, was found guilty of 14 counts of tampering with government records.
The week-long trial in Judge Janet Leal’s 103rd state District Court concluded yesterday when a jury ruled against Chambers, who was arrested Feb. 23, 2015, by officers with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and investigators from the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators said Chambers created false entries in government records concerning firearms qualification for some of his deputies on or about Jan.13, 2015.
Alfredo Avalos, a former officer with the Indian Lake Police Department, testified Chambers directed him to make false entries on the firearms qualifications after a field agent from TCOLE performed an audit on the department and found deficiencies in the department.
Among the deficiencies, Avalos testified that some firearms qualifications were blank except for a firearms instructor’s signature.
According to TCOLE, all law enforcement officers in the state are required to undergo annual firearms instruction.
Chambers is set for sentencing Jan. 28 in the 103rd state district court before Leal, who will hand down Chamber’s punishment.
