Bastrop, Tx–A former law enforcement agent for the Texas Alcohol
Beverage Commission was ordered on May 25 to stand trial in Bastrop on
charges of official oppression and sexual assault of a child younger
than age 17. The state grand jury for Bastrop County returned two
indictments against former TABC agend Joe Chavez this week.
Chavez was released from the Bastrop County Jail on $225,000 bail
last June 12. The alleged incident, involving a teen and sting
operations aimed at alcohol sales by local retailers, took place May 30,
2009, according to investigators. The grand jury indictments, which are
not evidence of guilt, name Chavez on charges of sexually assaulting
the girl as well as official oppression,that is, acting “under color of
his employment as a public servant, namely as a law enforcement agent
for the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission.”
Following the arrest of Chavez, TABC officials announced a state wide
review and overhaul of rules for sting operations involving field
agents and and underage informants working with them.
No trial date has been set.