SAN ANTONIO – The husband of a San Antonio businesswoman who disappeared a month ago has been released from custody.
Andre McDonald, 40, posted the necessary portion of his $300,000 bond Monday, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed. He was subsequently released just before 1 p.m. Tuesday.
“He’s subject to what’s called ‘jurisdiction by both civilian and military authorities,'” said John Convery said," McDonald's lawyer.
McDonald is charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the investigation into the February disappearance of his wife, Andreen McDonald, 29. He was silent as he exited the Justice Intake Assessment Annex and entered a Bexar County Pre-Trial Services van Tuesday afternoon.
Deputy Johnny Garcia, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said McDonald will be fitted with a GPS ankle monitor and turned over to the military. Convery told KSAT that McDonald's release to military custody is strictly procedural.
The U.S. Air Force reserve officer is considered a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, although he has been charged only with tampering with evidence in the case.
Andreen McDonald, 29, was reported missing March 1 under suspicious circumstances.
Investigators said they found blood in her North Bexar County home, indicating there was foul play involved.
Two days later, they arrested Andre McDonald after discovering he had purchased numerous items that could be used to dispose of a body.
They charged him with tampering with evidence for destroying a receipt from that purchase.
While the Sheriff's Office and the Bexar County District Attorney's Office investigate, Convery said, "It leaves me hopeful that something will happen that will make all that kind of unnecessary."
Bond originally was set for him at $2 million. However, last Wednesday a judge reduced that amount to $300,000.
Since Andreen McDonald’s disappearance, hundreds of people in the community have conducted searches for her in conjunction, both with the Sheriff’s Office and on their own.
They have searched the areas near the couple’s home and throughout North Bexar County, as well as on Camp Bullis. So far, she has not been located.
Investigators say her husband has refused to provide any answers.
Andre McDonald is due in court on April 24 for a pre-indictment appearance.
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