Missing Equipment Raises Questions About Constable Rehiring

EL PASO COUNTY, Texas — A constable says he is missing some key equipment from his office. Precinct 6 Constable Jesus Ramirez, who took office in January,told County Commissioners Monday morning that three bulletproof vests and two radios are missing from his district.

Assistant Purchasing Director Joe Lopez told ABC-7 that all of the vests were accounted for when former constable Alex Gamboa left office, so his office is not sure why the incoming constable cannot find them. Lopez says his office will check the vehicles assigned to Precinct 6 again to see if the vests are in there.

However, he says he knows for a fact where one of the missing vests is: a deputy transferred to a new precinct and took his vest with him, something, Lopez says, is against the County code. Property transfers must be approved by County Commissioners. Lopez was not able to recall the name of the deputy or the precinct he worked at.

This issue sheds light on an interesting trend happening now at various precincts. The discussion of missing gear uncovered a game of musical chairs where constables who have lost their reelection bids — and even some who are named in lawsuits — are turning up as deputies in other parts of town.

Alex Gamboa, former Precinct 6 constable, and Noe Juarez, one of his former deputies, are now at Precinct 4 in East El Paso. Both Gamboa and Juarez are named in a lawsuit against the El Paso County.

County Commissioner Dan Haggerty is concerned that despite some of the questionable history of some constable employees, they keep getting rehired.

Haggerty said that as elected officials, county constables can hire anyone they want, including employees like Gamboa and Juarez who are named in pending lawsuits. He said that is extremely frustrating: “You got me! You know they have to answer to their constituents also. How do you as a constable justify hiring somebody that has this kind of background?”

Neither Gamboa nor Juarez have criminal records.

Otheremployees who have transferred to new precincts are former Precinct 4 constable Pete Melendez, now a deputyfor Precinct 7 constable Angie Sommers; and former Precinct 1 constable William Burkett, who is at Precinct 6.

Melendez has no criminal history. Burkett was accused of abusing his badge and fraud in 2007 and arrested, but ABC-7 was not able to determine the status ofhis case after hours.

by ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Celina Avila/Written for KVIA.com by Web Producer Annette Arrigucci