A Bexar County sheriff’s sergeant described as “popular and respected” was arrested on a driving while intoxicated charge while off duty, authorities said.
Sgt. Veronica Sanchez, 44, was arrested Monday by the San Antonio Police Department on the charge. She posted a $2,000 bond Tuesday and was awaiting release from the Bexar County Jail.
The sheriff’s office issued Sanchez a notice of proposed termination and placed her on administrative leave, the agency said. She has worked for the agency for 13 years.
In a statement, Sheriff Javier Salazar called her a “popular and respected” deputy.
“Rightfully, we hold all of our deputies to a higher standard, even more so when they hold a supervisory rank,” he said. “I do not expect her career to survive this huge violation of the public trust.”
Court records show Sanchez was charged in 2013 with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission. A grand jury indicted her around the time the sheriff’s office hired her, though the agency did not specify her exact start date.
Sanchez pleaded no contest and the charge was dismissed in 2016 after she met the conditions of deferred adjudication.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the past charge.