HOUSTON – An off-duty police officer has been accused of threatening his ex-girlfriend with his service weapon.
Houston Police Officer Joe Fleming, 39, has been charged with second-degree felony burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony.
Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables said Fleming broke into his ex-girlfriend's home in the 14600 block of Philippine in northwest Harris County on Sunday.
The couple had been dating for several years and had recently broken up, officials said.
"He supposedly took his pistol up there with him and pointed it at her head and threatened to kill her," Assistant Chief Deputy Tim Cannon said.
Fleming slapped the woman in the face several times, causing visible injuries, investigators said.
"There were some indications of that ... some minor injuries to her lips," Cannon said.
Deputy constables said the woman tried to use her cellphone to call for help, but Fleming took it and broke it.
The woman ran out of her home and called for help from a neighbor's home, officials said.
When deputy constables arrived, they said they found Fleming sitting in his truck with his teenage son.
Fleming was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
An emergency protection order barring Fleming from contacting the woman was granted, officials said.
Fleming has worked for the Houston Police Department since 2005 and he is assigned to the Special Operations Division. He has been relieved of duty with pay while internal affairs investigates.