A Cameron County Sheriff’s Department employee entered pre-trial diversion Thursday morning after he was charged with tampering with a governmental record with the intent to defraud or harm.
A Cameron County Sheriff’s Department employee entered pre-trial diversion Thursday morning after he was charged with tampering with a governmental record with the intent to defraud or harm.
Jose Carlos Garza, 49, a captain with the sheriff’s department, was charged with the state jail felony and waived his indictment, said Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz.
The DA’s Office filed charges against Garza, who for four years held the contract to mow the Cameron County Airport, of falsifying his time sheets to say he was working for the county when in reality he was mowing at the airport and making large bales to sell.
“We conclude he did tamper with a government record by claiming hours when the evidence showed he was bailing hay,” Saenz said.
The terms of Garza’s two-year pre-trial diversion include that he will never be allowed to hold a peace officer’s license. If he violates the pre-trial diversion, he faces 180 days to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
It’s not clear whether Garza is still employed with the county.
