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Seadrift police chief indicted
BY TANIA FRENCH
Seadrift Police Chief Roger Tumlinson was arrested late Tuesday afternoon on charges of official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor. Tumlinson is accused of impeding a suspect’s right to remain silent.
The charges stem from an April 17 Calhoun County grand jury indictment that alleges that Tumlinson, on or about Jan, 30 “did then and there as a public servant, to-wit: a police officer for the City of Seadrift, Calhoun County, Texas, acting under the color of his office and employment intentionally impeded Daniel Rodriguez in the exercise and enjoyment of his right to remain silent, by threatening the said Daniel Rodriguez with a taser, knowing said conduct was unlawful.”
Calhoun County jail records indicate that Rodriguez, age 17, was not arrested by Tumlinson.
Thursday night, jail officials confirmed that Rodriguez was arrested on Jan. 31 by a Calhoun County Sheriff’s officer, as reported in the Feb. 6 edition of the Port Lavaca Wave. Rodriguez was charged with felony theft. As of Thursday evening Rodriguez remained in custody with bail set at $6,000.
Texas Ranger Oscar Rivera investigated the allegation against Tumlinson, Calhoun County District attorney Dan Heard said in a written statement. Heard said official oppression carries a punishment range of up to one year in the county jail and/or a $4,000 fine.
Tumlinson has cooperated fully with the investigation according to a news release issued late Tuesday by the City of Seadrift.
A Seadrift officer transported Tumlinson to the Calhoun County Jail, the news release stated. He was released early Tuesday evening on a personal recognizance bond. Seadrift City Judge Margaret Chatham was the magistrate.
Tumlinson has been off work since April 1 when, after a closed executive session, Seadrift Council members approved Tumlinson time off April 2-30 for medical reasons.
City of Seadrift officials have declined further comment on the case.
The charges stem from an April 17 Calhoun County grand jury indictment that alleges that Tumlinson, on or about Jan, 30 “did then and there as a public servant, to-wit: a police officer for the City of Seadrift, Calhoun County, Texas, acting under the color of his office and employment intentionally impeded Daniel Rodriguez in the exercise and enjoyment of his right to remain silent, by threatening the said Daniel Rodriguez with a taser, knowing said conduct was unlawful.”
Calhoun County jail records indicate that Rodriguez, age 17, was not arrested by Tumlinson.
Thursday night, jail officials confirmed that Rodriguez was arrested on Jan. 31 by a Calhoun County Sheriff’s officer, as reported in the Feb. 6 edition of the Port Lavaca Wave. Rodriguez was charged with felony theft. As of Thursday evening Rodriguez remained in custody with bail set at $6,000.
Texas Ranger Oscar Rivera investigated the allegation against Tumlinson, Calhoun County District attorney Dan Heard said in a written statement. Heard said official oppression carries a punishment range of up to one year in the county jail and/or a $4,000 fine.
Tumlinson has cooperated fully with the investigation according to a news release issued late Tuesday by the City of Seadrift.
A Seadrift officer transported Tumlinson to the Calhoun County Jail, the news release stated. He was released early Tuesday evening on a personal recognizance bond. Seadrift City Judge Margaret Chatham was the magistrate.
Tumlinson has been off work since April 1 when, after a closed executive session, Seadrift Council members approved Tumlinson time off April 2-30 for medical reasons.
City of Seadrift officials have declined further comment on the case.
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