INSIDER
Questions persist about tiny corporation linked to Houston Airport System and chaired by city’s airport director
Read full article: Questions persist about tiny corporation linked to Houston Airport System and chaired by city’s airport directorKPRC 2 Investigates has uncovered ongoing concerns about the Houston Airport System’s Development Corporation (HASDC), a small, self-funded non-profit corporation that generates significant revenue, yet operates with little transparency and close ties to high-ranking city officials. Despite reporting substantial assets and providing large grants, questions remain about its financial operations and lack of clear oversight.
Why do public corruption cases take so long? Convicted public servants remain free years after conviction
Read full article: Why do public corruption cases take so long? Convicted public servants remain free years after convictionWe should start by saying the vast majority of public servants do indeed serve Houstonians. However, there are others who do otherwise, according to federal and state prosecutors.
Lawyering up again? Federally convicted City of Houston Director looking to secure ‘sentencing’ attorneys
Read full article: Lawyering up again? Federally convicted City of Houston Director looking to secure ‘sentencing’ attorneysWilliam-Paul Thomas found himself back in federal court on Friday for a quick hearing over his desire to switch legal counsel.
Another sentence delay for former Houston Director of Council Relations William-Paul Thomas
Read full article: Another sentence delay for former Houston Director of Council Relations William-Paul ThomasAfter the third time proved not to be the charm for former Director of City Council Relations for the City of Houston William-Paul Thomas, there were expectations he would be sentenced on June 20.
Another sentencing delay for former Houston Director of Council Relations William-Paul Thomas
Read full article: Another sentencing delay for former Houston Director of Council Relations William-Paul ThomasThe third time proved not to be the charm for former Director of City Council Relations for the City of Houston William-Paul Thomas. Federal legal records obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates show the federal sentencing date for Thomas has been pushed back from next week to June.
Third time the charm? Federal sentencing date for former city director William-Paul Thomas delayed again
Read full article: Third time the charm? Federal sentencing date for former city director William-Paul Thomas delayed againLegal records obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates show the federal sentencing date for William-Paul Thomas, the former City of Houston’s Director of City Council Relations, has been pushed back a second time to March 27, creating a third sentencing date.
City controller asks OIG to investigate Houston Airports System’s director over $760,000 in fines waived for concessionaires
Read full article: City controller asks OIG to investigate Houston Airports System’s director over $760,000 in fines waived for concessionairesHouston City Controller Chris Brown is calling for the Office of Inspector General to open an investigation into the manner in which Houston Airports System Director Mario Diaz settled liquidated damages with a concessionaire and their partner, who has ties to former Director City Council Relations William Paul Thomas, who was convicted in federal court back in July for conspiracy tied to bribes.
3D printer, several weapons discovered inside home where suspect accused of shooting 3 HPD officers surrendered
Read full article: 3D printer, several weapons discovered inside home where suspect accused of shooting 3 HPD officers surrenderedCaballero is now facing three state counts of attempted capital murder of HPD officers, and he is also federally charged with possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Tuesday, Nov. 17
Read full article: 5 things for Houstonians to know for Tuesday, Nov. 17Here are things to know for Tuesday, Nov. 17:1. Ruiz was indicted on Nov. 10 and charged with two counts of depriving two victims of their right to bodily integrity. Greg Abbott said a COVID-19 antibody therapy will be distributed to hospitals Monday. Abbott said Friday that the Texas Department of State Health Services will distribute the therapy -- called Bamlanivimab -- to hospitals across Texas. It will be distributed to acute care hospitals across the state, according to Abbott’s office.
Houston man accused of stealing several mail keys from postal workers in string of armed robberies
Read full article: Houston man accused of stealing several mail keys from postal workers in string of armed robberiesHOUSTON – A 20-year-old Houston man is facing federal charges after being accused of stealing several mail keys from postal workers in a string of armed robberies, according to U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Xzavier Ivar Shephard was indicted on Nov. 5 after being linked to at least four armed robberies of postal letter carriers since June, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors accuse Shephard approaching the letter carriers while they were working, threatening them with a gun and demanding them to give him their arrow key, which can be used to open banks of letterboxes such as ones found in apartment complexes. Prosecutors said Shephard would then drive away in a black Buick vehicle with paper plates, which was registered in Shephard’s name. If found guilty, Shephard could face up to 25 years in federal prison as well as a mandatory minimum of seven years that must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
Former Arcola officer accused of kidnapping, sexual abuse faces federal charges
Read full article: Former Arcola officer accused of kidnapping, sexual abuse faces federal chargesHOUSTON – A former Arcola police officer accused of kidnapping and sexual abuse is facing several federal charges, according to U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Hector Aaron Ruiz, 25, was arrested after being accused of aggravated sexual abuse and kidnapping while serving as an officer for the Arcola Police Department, according to prosecutors. READ: Arcola officer faces new charges after second woman accuses him of sexual assaultRuiz was indicted on Nov. 10 and charged with two counts of depriving two victims of their right to bodily integrity. Ruiz was charged with the state charges of felony sexual assault and official oppression charges in connection with that incident. About the suspectRuiz was employed as a full-time police officer with the Arcola police department for 14 months.
ONLY ON 2: US attorney discusses federal charges filed in Manzano case
Read full article: ONLY ON 2: US attorney discusses federal charges filed in Manzano caseHOUSTON – Ryan Patrick, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, spoke to KPRC 2 on Thursday about the federal charges his office brought against Elmer Manzano, the man accused of killing a Houston police sergeant and wounding another officer. “We brought two federal charges -- one for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for being an alien in possession of a firearm,” Patrick said. Manzano, a 51-year old convicted felon, is accused of shooting and killing Houston police Sgt. Federal charging documents show that as early as Saturday, Houston police knew Manzano had a gun. On both occasions, the wife said Manzano displayed a weapon and she feared for her life.
‘On the table’: DA mulls whether to seek death penalty against suspect in HPD sergeant’s slaying
Read full article: ‘On the table’: DA mulls whether to seek death penalty against suspect in HPD sergeant’s slayingThe responding officers, 3-year veteran Officer Courtney Waller, 41-year veteran Sgt. Harold Preston and a 5-year veteran officer arrived at the scene and met Manzano’sestranged wife, who had called police. READ: 41-year veteran HPD Officer Sgt. Preston was surrounded by family when he died at the hospital Tuesday, HPD Chief Art Acevedo said. Police said Manzano was taken into custody and hospitalized at Ben Taub after he was shot in the stomach by Sgt.