Constable Arrested On Fraud Charge

By Stephanie Valle

EL PASO– An official elected to serve arrest warrants and round upsuspected criminalsin El Paso was placed under arrest late Monday.

Sheriff’s deputies executed an arrest warrant for William Burkett. Burkett faces charges of fraudulently obtaining worker’s compensation and abusing his official capacity.

After being served the warrant, Burkettwasprocessed and releasedafter he posted a $3,000 bond.

Officialshad been investigating Burkett after County Attorney Jose Rodriguez asked them to look into allegationsthe constablewas receiving worker’s compensation even though he was working part-time as a security officer.

How much Burkett allegedly received in workers’ compensation, and for how long, was not released.

Burkett handles cases for Justice of the Peace Bruce King. King said hewas surprised by the allegations. “I don’t know what’s going on. Nobody has talked to me about it,” he said.

According to state law, fraudulently obtaining worker’s compensation is a Class A misdemeanor or a state jail felony, depending on the case.The charge of abuse of official capacity is a third degree felony, officials said.

Burkett’s term expires at the end of 2008.