McALLEN — A San Juan police officer will remain suspended without pay for the duration of an internal investigation after he was charged in connection to a federal case, according to an unsealed court document.
McALLEN — A San Juan police officer will remain suspended without pay for the duration of an internal investigation after he was charged in connection to a federal case, according to an unsealed court document.
Richard Castillo, who has been with the department for more than 3 years, was placed on unpaid suspension Thursday after feds named him in an unsealed indictment filed that afternoon, according to the document.
Because the indictment remains sealed, the charge against Castillo is not known; but officials with knowledge of the indictment but not authorized to speak about the details contained within said Castillo is being charged with lying to federal agents in relation to an unknown case.
Late Thursday, San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez released a statement regarding Castillo’s arrest.
“Officer Castillo is a duly certified police officer under Texas law, and commissioned by the City of San Juan to serve as a police officer. As a San Juan police officer, Officer Castillo is covered by civil service law process and procedures. While the Department has no information or comment to make with respect to the federal criminal investigation and arrest, Officer Castillo’s employment status with the City of San Juan Police Department will be handled and processed in accordance with the requirements of civil service law as set forth in Chapter 143, Texas Local Gov’t Code and the Local Rules adopted by the San Juan Civil Service Commission,” Gonzalez’s statement read.
Castillo’s arrest is the latest in a string of incidents involving local law enforcement and alleged illegal activity.
Most recently a sheriff’s deputy with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s office was placed on suspension after he was charged in connection with injuries suffered by a minor under 14 years of age.
Jayson Andrew Rivera remains on unpaid leave after he was formally charged in connection with an incident in which a child under his care suffered injuries that were caused by Rivera, according to the criminal complaint.
Castillo is the second officer to be internally investigated by San Juan police internal affairs.
In late 2015 the department suspended and terminated Officer Juan Galindo after footage was leaked to local TV station KGBT of Galindo appearing to knee 19-year-old Victor Aguirre in the groin after he had been restrained.
Ultimately, last summer a third party examiner ruled that Galindo acted with “reasonable conformity,” during the incident and was reinstated with the department.
