KHOU 11 investigation leads to criminal charges against former Texas police chief

The former chief of the disbanded Coffee City, TX police department was booked in the Henderson County jail on charges of tampering with government records.

[@jerrylmartinez3339]

That is the reason why all bad police officers that get fired need to have their law enforcement certifications revoked and a letter placed in the work jacket that they should never be given law enforcement certifications permanently for the rest of their lives.

[@sswwooppee]

Here, here!

[@davidlazerz8564]

Oh honey...there is no such thing as "law enforcement certifications". I guarantee if he isn't in prison he will be moving to a city a few hundred miles away to start working as a cop again. If we want this insanity to stop we need 3 things: 1. Federal police licensing 2. Federal oversight for ALL local law enforcement 3. Mandatory individual liability insurance for each officer with the premiums paid by them to cover lawsuits and negligence.

[@jerrylmartinez3339]

@@davidlazerz8564 if anyone applying for a law enforcement job you do not have to be certified to a police officer not a jailer at the county jail. Like a deputy sheriff,state trooper? Why is it then that some bad police officers get fired lose their certification.

[@JamestheKilljoy]

Where were all the good cops reporting his behavior? It took people outside the department,law enforcement, and government to report this to someone who would do something about it There are no good cops

[@5Ci0N]

Not only fired but any officer that resigns too. Most cases, they get in trouble and resign so they don't get a mark on their jacket.

[@johnnyfiveo]

police apologists please chime in. i've been filming cops for over 5 years and i'm always shocked about how bootlickers justify bad cops. "back the blue" until it happens to you. great reporting

[@Iamdrjohnny]

I've been watching "you guys" for over a decade. I remember when San Joaquin first came out. Now I understand that you asked for police apologists however I decided to respond instead. I am not a police apologist. I am someone that thinks I'm going to be attacked by law enforcement here in Portland Texas because I am going after the cops and court system. Say hi to one of the newest first amendment auditors.

[@Videogamehasanpiker]

Good to see you here johnnyfiveo.

[@Iamdrjohnny]

@@bobthetitanic well freaking thanks and stay afloat! 😆

[@robertrosicki9290]

Johnny; They should pile on an additional charge for going out in public with that haircut .

[@mahgrew1004]

Hey Johnny good to see you .

[@bertblue9683]

Police don't become corrupt, corrupted become police.

[@CenturyHomeProject]

We need more investigative journalism like this. You’ve just scratched a surface of corruption in our local governments.

[@uradragon]

"You’ve just scratched a surface of corruption in our local governments." I'm sure that is a nationwide sentiment.

[@FlushCut]

This isn't journalism. It is reporting public events.

[@lawrence40100]

A citizen uncovered the corruption and forwarded to the news

[@usaturnuranus]

​@@FlushCutYou might want to look up the definition of the word "journalism" there, slick.

[@markm3346]

Corruption in our police departments, because it's rampant nationwide!

[@loyceholland6201]

The elected, taxpaid local government saw every deposit of over 1 million in fines, and fees, knew the names of all 50 officers, did not even use google to find over half of those officers were fired, resigned, criminals, awating charges, been convicted, had long history of abuse, not even when they hired the chief, they knew the history of average annual income from fines and fees and never investigated or reported it. They did however profit from the revenue this criminal police department collected. For the mayor to simply state we didn't know? Who was paid to "know" Mayor? More importantly what else do WE THE PEOPLE need to know? Shame on this mayor and his council. Citizens thats your tax dollars, they are your neighbors, life long friends and you elected them Hold them accountable for your hard earned money and the trust you put in them. " i didnt know" is unacceptable.

[@Usernotfound31231]

You are too generous to assume they didn’t google their own officers. They knew. They WANTED criminal cops because they wanted to further a criminal conspiracy (imo)

[@txpigs]

send him & the rest of em to prison...they're all crooked scumbags

[@tommurphy7611]

Most of those g3stapo THUGS are criminals.

[@ghostmantagshome-er6pb]

Crooked scumbag!

[@cydrych]

All police personnel files should be publicly available and easily accessible by anyone who wishes to see them. They need to be placed on a do not hire list whenever they are fired violating policy or laws and when they resign/retire while under investigation. No police department should be investigating itself or any other agency. All investigations into the actions of an officer or department should be done by an independent agency of non law enforcement people. Maybe set something up with local law schools to let senior students form a committee to do it and give them extra credit. Letting law enforcement investigate each other is like letting a couple of criminals investigate each other.

[@carolynbrannon3707]

All those cops should be in prison. Mayor and council to.

[@tommurphy7611]

Most of those g3stapo THUGS are criminals.

[@allegory7638]

No one forgets a DUI they had, what a corrupt liar. Would imagine that the mayor, city council, and city officials are all culpable and corrupt as well.

[@jeanaprewitt9658]

That's a stretch. But clearly, someone didn't do their due diligence.

[@barmanvarn]

Now if only Texas would hold their political officials to the same level of scrutiny.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

MAGA cultists protect their own.

[@bradcrosier1332]

Texas doesn’t hold ANY of their public officials to anything. I’m all for small government, but they take it to the point of being negligent and permitting local entities to be miniature fascist entities run by small-time tyrannical potentates.

[@Videogamehasanpiker]

They wont. The Nazi party protects it's own.

[@ThePeachtree69]

Agreed. Austin would be politician free.

[@antoniosarmientoluna6497]

You mean like the state attorney? ok

[@kevinnobody3052]

Qualified immunity is what leads to all this chaos.

[@daveb2280]

Hogwash! Qualified Immunity doesn't just apply to police officers. It also applies to judges, district attorneys, mayors, council members and others. It's why QI will never change. Other people without badges hide behind it as well.

[@Videogamehasanpiker]

​@@daveb2280Interesting how every profession you just listed as having qualified immunity are notorious for abusing their power. Almost like when a human being is given power, they abuse it every time.

[@shindrithargriethrat8408]

No. It isn’t.

[@tvc1848]

Qualified immunity has nothing to do with a criminal act. Lying on a job application is a crime and qualified immunity offers no protection. Even in a lawsuit, qualified immunity does not protect the police agency or the government that hired them.

[@marcodarko6941]

And yet these young "progressive" kids that are helping to usher in the global socialist/communist agenda is going to make for such a perfect utopia​.. because according to most of them, real socialism and real communism has never been tried before.@@Videogamehasanpiker

[@badge764]

Texas POST should be sued for allowing thugs to be certified in the state. Dereliction of duty, misconduct, failure to intervene in all this mess. Where's the government oversight for them failing to monitor corrupt and crooked officers in the state? Hold the post accountable too. They should have revoked or decertified all of them.

[@drbichat5229]

A simple background check should be mandatory to work in law enforcement 2:53

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

To all auditors: Keep fighting the good fight! Until these public servants realize integrity and accountability are values not to be feared, you are needed! Thank you for your service!

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

How about charges for all of those no-show jobs that he was the architect of, probably even getting kickbacks from?

[@dellcoc]

He acted exactly like a criminal when asked why he didn't put his arrest on his application.

[@hectorhector4617]

They are the biggest criminals in our country

[@kidwave1]

The millions of soldiers who paid the ULTIMATE PRICE, over the last 250+ years, defending our Country, Flag, Constitutional Rights and Freedom, DID NOT make that ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, ...only for American police to set themselves up as a PREFERENTIAL, PROTECTED, SEPARATE CLASS OF CITIZENS, who are OVERTLY MILITARIZED, UNACCOUNTABLE TO THE LAW, and IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION! ...and WHO BETRAY THEIR OATHS WITHOUT SHAME, REMORSE or, MOST IMPORTANTLY CONSEQUENCE OR ACCOUNTABILITY! The fact that the cops have become a Thin Blue Line GANG, that operates secretly, to protect and cover for each others crimes, abuse of power, and disgraceful AND CRIMINAL behavior, ....is THE OPPOSITE of what they've PUBLICLY SWORN TO DO, and is diametrically opposed to their mandate as PUBLIC SERVANTS! They are too ignorant to realize, or question, that their absolute lack of ANY worthwhile, adequate, meaningful, or SUFFICIENT training, ...coupled with their IMMUNITY from prosecution AND accountability ... is destroying the country of their very own families, friends, neighbors ...AND THEMSELVES! To violate OUR RIGHTS, and to destroy OUR FREEDOM, is to DESTROY THEIR OWN TOO! Honor your Oath, Follow the Law, and Adhere to your Policies, and you'll never have a problem! If you can't do that, GTFO!

[@tommurphy7611]

Most of those g3stapo THUGS are criminals.

[@vitast2000]

They've had free reign forever, with no checks and balances.

[@Videogamehasanpiker]

They are probably the biggest gang in the country, with the biggest amount of gang supporters that only increase the ego of the police.

[@charlesmisiak4926]

He didn't "find" himself on the other side of the law, he "put" himself there.

[@user-iv8ll4ty6o]

corruption never ends, esp as long as it gets blanket protection from qualified immunity. hiring dodgy cops was telling.

[@johnharbaugh9471]

This fall, from Chief of Police to felony indictment, was swift........this is why we need more investigative reporting.

[@MyHighHorse]

WHO HIRED HIM?!?!? That should be the question asked. If the same person is in charge of hiring the next chief will be the same or worse. Hold the people responsible for putting these criminals in positions of authority.

[@karinaz8756]

The mayor!!

[@vanessawilliams1657]

JUST ANOTHER CRIMINAL WITH A BADGE BUT THIS TIME GOT CAUGHT! Check Other Police Chefs & MUNICIPALITIES!👿🥴

[@TheBandit7613]

Here in Las Vegas, we go thru a criminal background check every year just to keep our jobs. That's everyone, even the public works dept. Can't have criminals working with the public.

[@hitthestreetsphoto1253]

This is outstanding journalism Jeremy! Most journalists are a bit too timid to take on an entire police force especially one with 50 bad cops who weren’t able to find work as a police officer anywhere else. They can be dangerous as a group or individually. You never let up until the actual story was told, piece by piece. Great job Jeremy! You’re definitely one of the best.

[@jarlaxle2421]

True journalism. Thank you

[@branchestarot]

Excellent reporting.

[@maplifiers]

Don't let them act like no one knew about this. They knew about his misconduct as well as every person he hired.

[@jb8801]

Glad they caught these criminals.

[@vulcan2882]

So in other words he's the typical dirty and corrupt cop that we have all hear about every day.

[@girlinvt]

Ok, so heres a few pertinent questions. How did he double the budget without approval. Whered the money for new cruisers come from, the uniforms, guns, radios, health insurance, workers comp, and payroll materialize from. 250 people in the town and a police department suddenly goes from 7 cars operating 24 hrs a day to 20 an nobody noticed or questioned it. Sorry don't believe it theres more to it...

[@TheTrueBallin]

It was a speed trap town. Which in another article that department had given out too many tickets and should have been audited years ago. Millions of dollars in tickets.

[@rkuchar1]

Now indict the mayor and city council for allowing this to happen

[@truthseekerjones9573]

Is it safe to drive through Coffee City again? I've been avoiding the area for this very reason. East Texans all know about Coffee City.

[@user-mc8se6uj2t]

Since Coffee City no longer has a Police Department it should be safe to drive thru the area.

[@davidwilfong5820]

The corruption in local and state government is amazing a little bit of power and here comes the greed its such a shame all across the country

[@vegastjg]

Everything he has ever done as a cop needs to be reviewed.

[@FloridaFrank2010]

These things think they are Gods that rule over their peasants with an iron fist - and cannot conceive being held accountable for their illegal actions.

[@brianloy7856]

So here’s the deal - WE THE PEOPLE: Those of us who are involved in local government and those of us who should be holding our local governments accountable- We are now on notice that CRIMINALS have found the best place to operate is AS POLICE OFFICERS. What this means to us is that the truly inventive and intelligent CRIMINALS see US as a soft target. Where is there a better place to operate as a criminal then obtaining a job as a police officer? We must, now more than ever, HIGHLY SCRUTINIZE ever part of hiring and managing police officers because, as in Southern California, specifically the LA County Sheriff’s Department, the criminals and gangs have penetrated and become part of the these departments

[@joekev27]

What. I thought police could do whatever they wanted with no consequences. Are we finally getting some real accountability in this county.

[@D__Lee]

WHOA! He's running for Precinct 3 Constable. Since this is Texas, I wouldn't bet against him getting elected.

[@lavrentichudakoff2519]

These charges will be nothing compared to what the FBI has in mind for him.

[@scotttyner5375]

It is a shame that a Houston News Crew had to find all this out instead of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office!!! I Know they were getting complaints about all of this before the news got ahold of it!!!

[@user-tr6vn8xc5y]

Karma!!! Lets Go!!!!

[@Julesong]

I’ve been following your excellent coverage on this since the beginning - bravo! 🇺🇸

[@kimcelestine5521]

Ha. Smh what a fool.

[@JuniperJupiter23]

The fact that he thought he was going to get away it is scary. I'm glad KHOU brought his crimes to light.

[@garyhull5617]

There are a lot of them "on the other side of the law"......Alot of them!

[@johnLee-bb2do]

This is why we need free investigative journalism.

[@johnminyard1054]

The judge in this town needs to be charged also he collected fees by using these dishonest cops

[@Jblaze024]

And a few attorneys in town, as well.

[@kapner2104]

Appreciate the great work!!

[@InsomniacMechanic]

ITS AMAZING HOW LONG IT TAKES TO STOP A DIRTY COP IF JOE PUBLIC BROKE THE LAW THEY GO TO JAIL REAL FAST COPS DO AS THEY PLEASE

[@alex772350]

Alv!!!!! 😂 there is sum other dept too. Go get em!!!

[@RoadCaptainEntertain]

"There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves." - Will Rogers

[@therealBocaStudios]

Great job. I love our law enforcement but government has a lot of corruption going on. Needs to be taken care of!

[@ChrundleTGreat]

This is why cops that get fired, or are a POS, should also have their credentials revoked.

[@sundownerwhoopwhoop5016]

Great news reporting thanks guys and girls y’all make a difference

[@jeremyrogalski]

Thanks for the comment

[@williamzander4732]

He was trying to win a election wtf 😂😂😂😂😂 Dude might win with this crazy world 😂

[@bluethunder5694]

There is a sheriff in Vermont that kicked a hand cuffed man while he was running he still won , now he has been striped of pil7ce powers but he is still sheriff they just said he can't arrest anyone,

[@jess_o]

All he has to do is spout some nonsense like "I'm fighting the establishment" and "theyre after me, youre next", and suckers will eat that shit up so fast

[@chriscalaway5208]

Well he did have at least 50 sure votes.😂😂😂

[@joeblow1688]

I think this man has absolutely stellar qualifications to be an "elected servant", or a "Politician". From what I have seen and heard, I am sure he won't disappoint his constituents, in this regard.

[@myreobroker]

Excellent work for your investigation. I am saddened that time and time again I see such low standards for law enforcement officers in Texas. What can be done to raise the standards besides your investigations. The public is at risk such as Uvalde.

[@rockdog9666]

great reporting!

[@rickdomingo6567]

Sounds like the good ol boi system inn Texas. They need to get rid of certain county's like this here inn Texas.

[@kidwave1]

That "good ol boi system" you are talking about is FREEMASONRY! The BLUE Lodge of Freemasonry ...IS... the Thin BLUE Line of the Police, and they are the ENEMIES OF HUMANITY! Americans MUST begin to understand THIS ---> The Thin BLUE Line IS The BLUE Lodge!!!!

[@paulwilliams5208]

anyone with any charges pending (Trump too) should not be in any way ably to even pose for any office

[@BirdDogey1]

Plenty of dirty little cities in Texas.

[@timtubemusic]

Thats why when police break the law and you see they are fired or resign instead of jail it is really no punishment. They go down the road and get hired elsewhere. having a record of corruption and illegal acts is a plus to some departments to hire him.

[@tommylucero2931]

I rather see the uncut version then watch it on one of their platforms that already been edited

[@stefanfrankel8157]

Learn to write a proper English sentence.

[@robertbleackley6891]

Oh and thanks for not being fox because truth matters .

[@randycrager4074]

Four States Legislators have wised up and reversed Qualified Immunity for Career Criminal Police Officers, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Montana. Smart decisions because they are tired of the Tax Payers paying for LEO's cowardice ways. Qualified Immunity needs to be reversed in all states. Cops have gone rouge, they don't care if you sue because the tax payers pay for the suit, you and I. Not only do they not deserve Qualified Immunity but they should be required by law to submit to at least two psych evaluations a year paid from their own pockets to keep their job, done by Qualified Professionals not affiliated with any police association or union. This will weed out the bad cops. A northern California sheriff’s department stripped 47 deputies - 10% of the force - of their guns and arrest powers because they failed psychological exams, it was reported on September of 2022. They have become nothing but Career Criminals with badges! In John 10:10 we're told that Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy. I think he has recruited most of the LEO's, Judges and Prosecuting Attorney's in this Country! In some states an officer is only required to take 600 hours of training but to become a barber it take 4000 hours, 6.6 times longer. How right is that? The only sane conclusion you can come up with is that LEO's are stupid, corrupt and evil! Colorado has also made it mandatory for officers to report bad cops and not be involved in their coverups but that still doesn't work. Police investigating police, how well has that worked? It hasn't and that's why Legislators need to reverse Qualified Immunity.

[@MAXIMUSMINIMALIST]

Now uncover the other 50,000!!

[@darrenporsch]

This is why we need a national database of police officers who are fired or resign in lieu of termination so they can't be gypsy cops and just hop from one precinct to the next

[@aznmonkeyfu22]

Are you guys investigating Tiffany Henyard? That’ll be some good content.

[@nottiification]

With ethics like this, he has a bright future in the GOP.

[@osobad1127]

Bravo! Bravo! This is reporting!

[@ADDisAOK]

The flowers in front of the photo as a memorial, RIP to his career lmao.

[@Hopefullyhelping5050]

Ty

[@Usernotfound31231]

Great journalism.

[@PersonOfWeThePeople]

This man should not be allowed to hold office.

[@k.schwartz3867]

So I have to ask why the town did not do a better background on him before they hired him? That DUI would have shown up for sure.

[@ThePeachtree69]

Because this crooked cop helped them make a bunch of money by facilitating his little hiring scheme with officers that needed second chances and were willing to sell their oaths for a job. The politicians approved the deal.

[@garyowen9044]

Criminal psychopath. Gee what a shock.

[@garyowen9044]

Nice smirk 😏 in the mug shot. Hope he gets a long, long vacation… in prison.

[@Kirkvanhouten55]

kids, today we learn the importance of freedom of the press

[@maximumoverload5134]

This is a crooked cop they're are many like him , find one near you ! It's that easy go to your local police station ,they are there !

[@jeepguy4499]

A dirty cop that actually goes to jail. I guess anything is possible.

[@user-tr6vn8xc5y]

⚖️⚖️🐖🐖

[@eddiearmijo6635]

Where did all the Cops go ?

[@zsleepwalker]

To a police force near you! LOL

[@ricosuave8123]

They had 50 police officers on staff, but probably only ever had 2 or 3 officers on duty at any given time.

[@Gurn_Blanston]

Yes, and if you read my post below, you'll learn why.

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

The entire police department? Someone looked at this guy and said, "Yup, he's our new sheriff." No one bothered to judge his weak and limp wristed handshake.

[@CHDean]

“I’m not, not being truthful.” So, if I forget I’m driving 90mph in a 65mph zone, then I’m not, not speeding?

[@imilliemedina666]

Finally some REAL JOURNALISM

[@MardukTheSunGodInsideMe]

There's a double digit chance you'll get arrested for crimes if you become a police officer. Humans can't handle the responsibility.

[@michaels2206]

This case is getting better an better…

[@penguin32383]

This happens so often in the US that there is a term for it: wandering officer. It is not uncommon for a LEO to have been fired by numerous agencies.

[@jamesritchie817]

50 cops for a town of 250 people? How on earth can you justify that? Answer: you can’t.

[@intellectualiconoclasm3264]

Excellent.

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

I hope he spends the rest of his life behind bars

[@EdwardM919]

6 million views that what you get when you actually have good investigative reporting.

[@jeremyrogalski]

Thank you sir

[@FlushCut]

What the fook are you talking about? This doesn't even have 20k views, and it won't clear a million. You trumptards are something.

[@geogmz8277]

Yeah, we need to audit all those little towns in Texas... I promise you this isn't the only case.

[@wc153221]

The guy is a crook and hopefully he will end up in federal prison.

[@mazsenior]

See how nuanced his lies are? “I put down everything that came to mind when I filled out the form”. But he’s arrested because the question was “Have you ever been arrested for a Misdemeanor or Felony?” The irony is that police officers like him are allowed to lie to suspects in order to gain information during a criminal investigation and if the suspect lies they can be charged for obstruction or making false statements. The real unfortunate thing is that this former Police Chief gives the good, hardworking, decent cops a bad name.

[@Speed.Racer.5]

This is great, but I hope charges are also coming against some of the elected officials there too. I mean, someone approved this.

[@MC-zr6gc]

Let's all remember, even when cops are held even SEMI accountable, their corruot AF police unions just shuffle them off to a new place to become THAT departments problem.

[@jomac8101]

Now do McCurtain county sherrifs office in Oklahoma.

[@climber950]

“HighEST standards” Yeah, oF CORRUPTION!!

[@chrisoakey9841]

The highest ethical standards of a brady cop. 🤣 Pity no followup court date. Means they are sweeping the charges under the rug. Dismissed when they think people have lost interest. No justice for police officers.

[@richardsuggs8108]

Bad cops may be one of the most dangerous challenges to our republic. They are given life and death powers and qualified immunity from prosecution. Often they are only required to complete a semester long training course to be hired. I was informed that the sheriff of Guilford County, NC had hired and promoted a deputy who has not completed BLE Basic Law Enforcement Training. It was suggested that the deputy was hired because of a need for diversity and equity in the department.

[@sswwooppee]

Any time a black man is hired nearly anywhere, there’s a mediocre white man crying about diversity hiring. There’s nothing impressive about that king whining. But you *_are_* on to something. There is nothing more corrosive to the rule of law than public corruption. Lawlessness by law enforcement is one of the most corrosive forms of public corruption.