Former public employee accused of tampering with government records

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Stephanie Damian, a former employee with the district clerk’s office, and charged her with tampering with governmental records, said District Clerk Norma Favela Barceleau.

The district clerk said her office is cooperating with the sheriff’s office and will provide any information that may be relevant to the ongoing criminal investigation.

Officials with the sheriff’s office told ABC-7 Damian was the office manager for the District Clerk’s Office’s Criminal Division Unit and had sensitive information on her computer.

Investigators said Damian had been the subject of an administrative investigation and had been notified she was to be terminated. On Friday, January 26, 2018, Damian allegedly downloaded sensitive information from her office computer onto a USB drive and then deleted everything on her computer, the sheriff’s office said.

A warrant for Damian’s arrest was issued on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Deputies were assigned to execute the warrant and were unable to locate Damian until February 22, 2018. Damian was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $5,000 bond.

“Disappointment is an understatement as to the charges against this former employee,” Favela Barceleau said. “It is not a reflection of the current deputies in this office, who every day, support the judiciary and serve the citizens of this community with integrity.”