HOUSTON – A Harris County Precinct 3 deputy constable was arrested Monday night in Guadalupe County after authorities say he was found intoxicated and carrying a firearm near a busy stretch of Interstate 10.
According to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened in the 8500 block of IH-10 East in Seguin, Texas.
A deputy constable with Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office was identified as Julio Valdez.
Investigators say a Guadalupe County deputy was conducting an unrelated traffic stop nearby when radio traffic alerted him to the hit-and-run.
Deputies found the suspected vehicle and said Valdez was in the passenger’s seat.
The GCSO deputy reportedly noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Valdez and observed that he was unsteady on his feet near the heavily trafficked interstate.
During the encounter, the deputy confirmed that Valdez was armed. He disarmed Valdez and secured the handgun without incident.
Valdez was taken into custody and charged with public intoxication and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Authorities say Valdez identified himself as a law enforcement officer during the arrest. Officials later confirmed he is employed as a deputy constable in Harris County Precinct 3.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray emphasized that the law applies equally to everyone, including members of law enforcement.
“The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office holds all individuals, regardless of profession or affiliation, to the same standard of the law,” a portion of Sheriff Ray’s statement read.
No additional details about the hit-and-run investigation or Valdez’s employment status were immediately released.
KPRC 2 has contacted officials with Harris County Precinct 3 for more information.
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