(Ed.'s Note: The dismissal and the acquittal of Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre and five other tax office staffers on combined criminal counts of bribery, abuse of official capacity, official oppression, engaging in organized criminal activity, tampering with government records, and breach of computer security, has triggered a complaint against two Texas Department of Public Safety investigators. We will publish each of the victims' stories that form the basis of the complaint with the DPS Inspector General. This is by Pedro Garza, Sgt. of the Automobile Theft Task Force.)
By Pedro Garza
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I further request that Agent Olivarez be criminally investigated for violations of the Texas Penal Code, specifically §39.02 Abuse of Official Capacity and §39.03 Official Oppression.
1 am a licensed master peace officer of this State and have been in law enforcement for over 30 years. I have been employed with the Cameron County Tax Assessor Collector's Office since 2001.
Prior to my arrest, I served as a Sgt. with the Automobile Theft Task Force within that office, my duties were to supervise the vehicle registration department of the tax office, detect and prevent automobile crimes in Cameron County.
Prior to agent Olivarez getting involved in my life, I had never been arrested.
1 am a dedicated father and have been married for over 28 years. Because of Olivarez's wrongful actions and questionable investigative techniques, on January 6, 2016, I was arrested at my place of employment and indicted for felony Bribery, Official Oppression, and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.
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The charges stem from actions alleged by Agent Olivarez to have taken place on On August 19, 2016, after realizing that Olivarez's investigation was without merit, the Cameron County District Attorney's Office had no alternative but to dismiss all charges against me September 14, 2015.
By this time, I had already been publicly humiliated in the news media, my family and I had endured many months of emotional distress, I lost my job, I lost my only source of income, and I was forced to spend thousands of dollars in bonds and attorney's fees.
Agent Olivarez also had my Texas Peace officer's license revoked. His actions led to considerable amount of economic and personal hardship.
Shortly prior to my arrest, my wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer. As a result of being arrested, I was fired and lost the health insurance for my wife at the point we needed most. She struggled tremendously and almost died. (Friends say that because o the arrest, his son was bullied at school.)
Because of the pending criminal charges and negative publicity, I could not find employment. We had to take on massive debt in order to pay medical bills and to keep our home from foreclosure. In my case, Olivarez's actions had serious and life threatening repercussions. Please do not take this complaint lightly....
"His sworn statements make no reference to any facts that show I accepted any money because there were none. He basically pulled this allegation out of thin air so that he could arrest me and then coerce me. The same applies to his engaging in organized criminal activity and official oppression allegations...
"In essence, he developed a conspiracy theory about the Cameron County Tax Office being corrupt and then set out to arrest people in hopes that he could coerce them into supporting his conspiracy theory. His actions reflect badly on the Texas Department of Public Safety which continues to employ him.
Next: Claudia Elisa Sanchez
By Pedro Garza
COMPLAINT
This written affidavit is made pursuant §614.021 of the Texas Government Code, complaining of the wrongful and unlawful conduct engaged in by Rene Aaron Olivarez (hereinafter "Agent Olivarez"), a Texas Peace Officer employed as Special Agent by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) ID No. 1 1884.
I further request that Agent Olivarez be criminally investigated for violations of the Texas Penal Code, specifically §39.02 Abuse of Official Capacity and §39.03 Official Oppression.1 am a licensed master peace officer of this State and have been in law enforcement for over 30 years. I have been employed with the Cameron County Tax Assessor Collector's Office since 2001.
Prior to my arrest, I served as a Sgt. with the Automobile Theft Task Force within that office, my duties were to supervise the vehicle registration department of the tax office, detect and prevent automobile crimes in Cameron County.
Prior to agent Olivarez getting involved in my life, I had never been arrested.
1 am a dedicated father and have been married for over 28 years. Because of Olivarez's wrongful actions and questionable investigative techniques, on January 6, 2016, I was arrested at my place of employment and indicted for felony Bribery, Official Oppression, and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.
The charges stem from actions alleged by Agent Olivarez to have taken place on On August 19, 2016, after realizing that Olivarez's investigation was without merit, the Cameron County District Attorney's Office had no alternative but to dismiss all charges against me September 14, 2015.By this time, I had already been publicly humiliated in the news media, my family and I had endured many months of emotional distress, I lost my job, I lost my only source of income, and I was forced to spend thousands of dollars in bonds and attorney's fees.
Agent Olivarez also had my Texas Peace officer's license revoked. His actions led to considerable amount of economic and personal hardship.
Shortly prior to my arrest, my wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer. As a result of being arrested, I was fired and lost the health insurance for my wife at the point we needed most. She struggled tremendously and almost died. (Friends say that because o the arrest, his son was bullied at school.)
Because of the pending criminal charges and negative publicity, I could not find employment. We had to take on massive debt in order to pay medical bills and to keep our home from foreclosure. In my case, Olivarez's actions had serious and life threatening repercussions. Please do not take this complaint lightly....
Olivarez Falsely Swore I Accepted Bribes With No Evidence
"...Olivarez under oath, accused me of engaging in organized criminal activity, official oppression and participating in an alleged bribery scheme within the Cameron County Tax Office...."His sworn statements make no reference to any facts that show I accepted any money because there were none. He basically pulled this allegation out of thin air so that he could arrest me and then coerce me. The same applies to his engaging in organized criminal activity and official oppression allegations...
Ignorance
"Because he did not know the law, he based his entire investigation around a false premise. I was allegedly splitting a $100 bribe with at least 2 other people so that the tax office would waive proof of ID and insurance requirements...Aside from not knowing the law at the heart of his case, his allegation absurdly assumes that I would jeopardize my career for a grand total of $33.33."In essence, he developed a conspiracy theory about the Cameron County Tax Office being corrupt and then set out to arrest people in hopes that he could coerce them into supporting his conspiracy theory. His actions reflect badly on the Texas Department of Public Safety which continues to employ him.
Conclusion
"As law enforcement officers we have a duty to protect the public and not abuse the great power bestowed upon us. Agent Olivarez should not be allowed to continue as a peace officer. He lacks the judgment and character necessary for this position."Next: Claudia Elisa Sanchez