INSIDER
Ex-Pct. 2 deputy claims ousted captain tried to cover up training accident, ordered him to destroy records
Read full article: Ex-Pct. 2 deputy claims ousted captain tried to cover up training accident, ordered him to destroy recordsA former reserve deputy with the Bexar County Precinct 2 Constableās Office testified Monday that ex-captain Marc Garcia took steps to cover up a training accident and later ordered the deputy and other members of the agency to destroy records.
Fired Bexar County Precinct 2 captain distances himself further from Barrientes Vela in attempt to get reinstated
Read full article: Fired Bexar County Precinct 2 captain distances himself further from Barrientes Vela in attempt to get reinstatedMarc Garcia was indicted at the same time as ex-constable Michelle Barrientes Vela in early 2020, but their paths have taken vastly different courses since then.
Pre-trial hearing date set for embattled former Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes-Vela
Read full article: Pre-trial hearing date set for embattled former Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes-VelaThe trial of former Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes-Vela and her former captain, Mark Garcia, has moved a step closer to the beginning.
Precinct 2 fires former captain who was indicted alongside Barrientes Vela
Read full article: Precinct 2 fires former captain who was indicted alongside Barrientes VelaSAN ANTONIO ā Michelle Barrientes Velaās former captain was fired from the Bexar County Precinct 2 Constableās Office Wednesday, weeks after he was indicted along with the former constable on felony and misdemeanor charges. Marc Garcia was terminated following a 10-day administrative leave, a Precinct 2 spokesman said. WATCH: Ex-Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela faces judge after turning self in on felony chargesGarcia faces a felony charge of aggravated perjury and three misdemeanor charges of official oppression. A Defenders investigation in June showed that Precinct 2 deputies delayed booking Moreno for nearly a half-hour, until members of the media were in place. Former Bexar County Precinct 2 constable Michelle Barrientes VelaHe and Barrientes Vela are scheduled to make a court appearance Feb. 26.
Search warrant details investigation of ex-Constable Barrientes Vela, 3 members of administration
Read full article: Search warrant details investigation of ex-Constable Barrientes Vela, 3 members of administrationKSAT reached an attorney for Barrientes Vela by phone on Tuesday, but he said he would provide a comment later. The search warrant outlines an incident at Rodriguez Park on Easter Sunday in which a man reported being "harassed" by Barrientes Vela during a party with his family. The man had rented a pavilion from the city, but Barrientes Vela was at the pavilion with her family when he arrived. Ultimately, he paid $300 "because he felt intimidated by (Barrientes Vela) and (Castillo)," the search warrant states. Her replacement took over this month and Barrientes Vela has taken the first official step to launch her sheriff campaign for 2020.
Chief deputy fired, captain on leave as Precinct 2 shake-up is underway
Read full article: Chief deputy fired, captain on leave as Precinct 2 shake-up is underwaySAN ANTONIO ā Less than a day after Michelle Barrientes Vela agreed to vacate her position as Bexar County Precinct 2 constable, a major shake-up has taken place within her former administration. County officials confirmed Thursday that Chief Deputy Anthony Castillo was terminated by Barrientes Vela at 5 p.m. Wednesday, just minutes after she re-announced her intentions to run for Bexar County sheriff in 2020. Precinct 2 Captain Marc Garcia was demoted to deputy constable and placed on leave October 10. Barrientes Vela, a first-term constable, resigned her seat after telling a KSAT 12 reporter on Sept. 23 that she would run for sheriff in 2020. RELATED: 10 controversies surrounding embattled Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela
Barrientes Vela, top Pct. 2 officials charged county for training, then skipped it
Read full article: Barrientes Vela, top Pct. 2 officials charged county for training, then skipped itAUSTIN, Texas ā Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela and other top officials from her agency charged the county for expensive hotel rooms, meals and a state open records training course but skipped the training itself, public records obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders confirm. While Barrientes Vela, Chief Deputy Anthony Castillo and Capt. Records from the Bexar County Auditor's Office show the county paid $250 per person for Barrientes Vela, Castillo and Garcia to attend the two days of sessions. By all indications, it appears Barrientes Vela and members of her agency could have utilized the additional training. Barrientes Vela did not respond to repeated requests to be interviewed for this story.
Delayed booking of deputy constable at center of federal lawsuit
Read full article: Delayed booking of deputy constable at center of federal lawsuitSAN ANTONIO ā A federal lawsuit filed Monday accuses Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela and one of her top administrators of violating the civil rights of two deputy constables within her agency, court records show. Moreno has filed to run for Precinct 2 constable in 2020, while De La Cerda serves as Moreno's campaign treasurer. In late February, Moreno and De La Cerda were placed on leave for the duration of Moreno's campaign, the suit states. The suit also states that both Moreno and De La Cerda were subjected to unfair disciplinary action after Moreno filed election paperwork. Bexar County was aware of these problems and had multiple opportunities to take action.
Constable pushes back on investigation into delayed booking of deputy, refuses to hand over āproofā
Read full article: Constable pushes back on investigation into delayed booking of deputy, refuses to hand over āproofāGarcia and Barrientes Vela ignored more than 20 follow-up questions from the Defenders about these delays before Barrientes Vela finally said that she would not engage with the reporter. Despite repeatedly calling one of the deputies who arrested Moreno by the wrong name, Barrientes Vela on Tuesday defended their actions April 30. It remains unclear why Barrientes Vela chose to bring up the topic in front of the media. AdShe then segued into criticizing Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, who she claims refuses to answer her phone calls or to address her concerns. Barrientes Vela conceded during her remarks that she is concerned Gonzales' office may criminally charge her.