Personnel with the San Angelo Police Department have resigned or been placed on leave pending an investigation connected to a gun found in a foiled smuggling attempt at the border, according to police.
One SAPD employee has resigned, and two others have been placed on administrative leave with pay.
On Monday, SAPD Sgt. John Bouligny said the department will not yet release the names or the unit of these individuals.
“It is normal operating procedure to pay employees placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” Boulingy added.
On April 23, agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security apprehended a man at the border attempting to cross over into Mexico with firearms. At this time, there is no indication that the subject and the smuggling event is associated with any cartel.
“During the course of their investigation Homeland Security Agents discovered that one of the firearms was allegedly purchased at a gun show in another jurisdiction,” according to a Sept. 26 police media release. “During the investigation it was discovered that the firearm in question had, at one point in time, been in the possession of the San Angelo Police Department.”
On May 29, an internal investigation in SAPD was initiated regarding the firearm alongside the criminal investigation.
Upon taking office, Chief Travis Griffith was made aware of this ongoing internal and criminal investigation that began months prior. Retired Chief Frank Carter had requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers regarding a theft of a firearm, and Griffith supported that decision.
“The San Angelo Police Department is fully committed to the integrity of this investigation which is why all information pertaining to this investigation was not released,” the release stated. “While we would like to report all information to the public, there is a necessity for due process. The priority of this investigation is the criminal case, which is currently being handled by the Texas Rangers.”
As the investigation continued, the focus began to settle on a particular three-man division of the police department, Griffith said during a Sept. 26 press conference.
One individual resigned, and two others are on administrative leave pending the investigation.
No one has been charged at this point, Griffith said.
“It is important to note that simply resigning or being placed on administrative leave does not indicate any criminal wrong doing or violations of department policy,” the SAPD release stated. “We want to make it clear that if any individuals are found to have engaged in criminal wrongdoing or violations of department policy, they will be held accountable.”
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This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo police personnel placed on leave pending investigation
