HOUSTON – KPRC 2 Investigates has learned six more Houston police officers are now facing charges stemming from the investigation of the botched January 2019 raid at a home on Harding Street in Houston’s Pecan Park neighborhood.
The two homeowners, Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog were shot and killed.
Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers Union, confirmed to KPRC 2 that at least one officer is not in the narcotics division like the officers who have already been indicted. One of the officers is a K-9 handler, Griffith said.
Additionally, KPRC 2 has learned these officers will be represented by attorneys Rusty Hardin and Lisa Andrews.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Monday’s indictments mark the end of the investigation by her office into the shooting that happened during the raid.
The new charges bring the total number of officers or former officers charged in connection with the investigation of the raid to 12.
You can watch a replay of Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s news conference below:
Who is being charged?
Below is a list of the charges filed Monday, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office:
- Felipe Gallegos: Charged with murder in connection with the death of Dennis Tuttle. If convicted, Gallegos could face life in prison.
- Oscar Pardo: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record.
- Cedell Lovings: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record.
- Nadeem Ashraf: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record.
- Frank Medina: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and second-degree tampering with a governmental record.
- Griff Maxwell: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and second-degree tampering with a governmental record.
New charges for officers already charged
Some of the charges announced Monday were new charges against officers who have already been charged in connection with an investigation of the Harding Street raid. Here is a list provided by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
- Clemente Reyna: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record. Reyna has been previously charged with tampering with a governmental record and third-degree theft by a public servant.
- Thomas Wood: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record. Wood was previously charged with tampering with a governmental record and third-degree theft by a public servant.
- Hodgie Armstrong: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and second-degree tampering with a governmental record. Armstrong was previously charged with tampering with a governmental record.
Acevedo reacts
Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said in a written statement posted on Twitter that all active officers who have been charged in the case have been relieved of duty.
Statement from Chief @ArtAcevedo regarding today's indictments. pic.twitter.com/d3AKTziXCp
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 25, 2021
Turner reacts
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had little to say about Monday’s charges.
“The legal process will run its course,” Turner said in a statement sent to KPRC 2.
Attorney reacts
In a written statement sent to KPRC 2, Andrews called the charges against Reyna as being politically motivated. She said Ogg is trying to criminalize “administrative errors.”
“Retired Sgt. Reyna, after devoting 30 years of unblemished service to the Houston Police Department, looks forward to his day in court where Ogg’s corrupt political prosecution will be exposed,” Andrews said in the statement.
State Rep. Gene Wu reacts
State Rep. Gene Wu said it was not a surprise to hear of additional indictments.
“I hope and pray that this is the end, that there are no more, but I want the DA’s office to do a thorough investigation that every single officer who deserves to be charged, is charged,” Wu said.
He also wants to know what’s going to happen with the supervisors who were above those officers.
“I want to see justice, not only for the Tuttles, but I want to see justice for the people of Harris County, for the people of Houston,” Wu said.