Nikki Araguz Warned To Not Violate Bond Conditions
The transsexual widow of a fallen firefighter received a warning from a judge Tuesday in connection with theft charges filed against her.
Nikki Araguz was charged with stealing an expensive Rolex watch from a woman at a Houston bar in February.
Araguz posted a $2,000 bond on June 2. Among the conditions of the bond, she cannot drink alcohol or be present where alcohol is served.
But prosecutors said they found photographs posted on her Facebook page showing her drinking and socializing. The photos and Facebook wall entries have since been taken down.
Judge Venessa Valasquez told Araguz Tuesday that she will await trial in jail if she violates the conditions of her bond and is caught drinking.
Velasquez sternly reminded her to stay out of bars and said, "I say what I mean and I mean what I say."
After it was over, Araguz and her attorney had little to say.
"Thank you for your unbiased coverage," Araguz said.
"The judge was fair. The judge was fair," her attorney said.
"There was an anonymous tip that the defendant was seen violating the conditions of bond," said Donna Hawkins, a Harris County assistant district attorney.
Araguz has pleaded guilty to theft charges four times previously, dating back to 1994.
She's facing a state jail felony that could get her up to two years behind bars if she's convicted.
Wharton fire Capt. Thomas Araguz was killed fighting a fire at Maxim Egg Farm in Boling, Texas, on July 4, 2010.
Earlier this month, a Wharton County court ruled Nikki Araguz is not entitled to $600,000 in death benefits because the couple was not legally married.
Araguz is appealing the decision. This week she filed a motion for a new trial.
Araguz said she is "a post-op transsexual" and is HIV-positive. She had sexual reassignment surgery in 2008. She has been shooting a reality show that she is shopping to several networks and has been negotiating book and movie deals.
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