SAN ANTONIO – A former San Antonio Police Department detective accused of botching dozens of sex assault cases has now been charged with tampering with evidence.
SAPD fired Kenneth Valdez last fall after an internal affairs investigation determined that he failed to follow up on evidence and closed cases without fully investigating them.
A six-month review determined that Valdez acted alone in mishandling the cases.
At least one of the cases was reopened and prosecuted. Nicholas Garcia will be sentenced this month after pleading no contest to aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Valdez was assigned 131 cases in the year before fellow investigators discovered discrepancies in his work.
"In due course I believe that he got exactly what he deserved," said SAPD Chief William McManus, who added that he was informed of Valdez's indictment Thursday.
"No one ever expects that to happen. Unfortunately, we had an investigator up there who didn't live up to his oath of office, wasn't concerned about the victims whose cases he was investigating."
An arrest warrant affidavit outlines eight counts against Valdez with the alleged offenses occurring between January 2016 and August 2017. All counts involve making false entries into the SAPD management system or intentionally concealing evidence including video recordings, a phone and a cheek swab in cases under investigation.
A Friday arraignment scheduled for Valdez was postponed after the court determined that he was not given sufficient notice for the court appearance.
He remains free on bond.
Indictment against Kenneth Valdez:
- Nov. 2, 2016: Valdez made a false entry in the SAPD record management system
- Aug. 11, 2017: Valdez intentionally concealed a video recording to impair its availability as evidence in an investigation
- Oct. 31, 2016: Valdez made a false entry in the SAPD record management system stating there was no physical or corroborating evidence in a case.
- Jan. 3, 2016: Valdez made a false entry in the SAPD record management system
- Aug. 11, 2017: Valdez intentionally concealed a phone to impair its availability as evidence in an investigation
- Jan. 19, 2016: Valdez made a false entry in the SAPD record management system
- Aug. 11, 2017: Valdez intentionally concealed a video recording to impair its availability as evidence in an investigation
- Aug. 11, 2017: Valdez intentionally concealed a buccal swab to impair its availability as evidence in an investigation
Continuing coverage on KSAT.com:
Police chief, city manager ‘outraged' after SAPD SVU fails to properly investigate 130+ cases
SAPD lieutenant, two sergeants failed 'to properly supervise the unit,' chief says
Chief, city manager 'greatly exaggerated' findings from SVU investigation, SAPD union president says
SAPD detective fired for failing to properly investigate 130 plus SVU cases
Fired SAPD detective acted alone in mishandling SVU cases, review finds
SVU detective who failed to investigate rape cases fired, again; 1 other officer terminated