HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Harris County DA dismisses nearly 800 cases against peaceful protesters arrested during police brutality marches
HOUSTON – The Harris County District Attorney dismissed nearly 800 cases against protesters who were arrested during marches against police brutality in the past three weeks. DA Kim Ogg announced that prosecutors dismissed 796 cases after conducting a review that divided the cases into two groups — those who sought to do harm to others and property and those arrested for simple civil disobedience. The cases dismissed were for non-violent misdemeanor offenses, mostly obstructing a highway and trespassing. Only 51 adults and one juvenile now remain charged with active cases, which include 35 misdemeanor charges and 19 felony charges. “The only people I will be prosecuting are those who intentionally hurt others and intentionally destroy property.”
Former Cy-Fair ISD police officer sentenced to 10 years in rape of 12-year-old Deer Park girl
HOUSTON – A former Cypress-Fairbanks ISD police officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old girl from Deer Park last year. “He promised to protect and serve one of our most vulnerable populations and instead, he exploited and violated a young girl. It also means the young girl will not be victimized again by having to take the witness stand to testify against her attacker. Authorities say after Bastida met the girl on the “Meet Me” app, he sent an Uber to pick her up in Deer Park and take her to Cypress on October 1, 2018. Authorities say surveillance video at the motel also showed Batista and the girl walking to the room.