An agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is in jail in Bastrop County, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old volunteer for the agency.
Investigators in Bastrop County said it happened two weeks ago.
The teen was involved in a underage sting operation, where she worked as a decoy attempting to buy alcohol from stores in Bastrop, Fayette and Lee counties.
She said TABC Agent Joe Chavez, Jr., 40, sexually assaulted her on the way home.
According to court documents, Chavez drove the teen down old Highway 20 near Paige, Texas. The teen says Chavez pulled his unmarked state issued vehicle over and sexually assaulted her. She reported the incident last Saturday. Investigators say Chavez admitted to everything. He was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of official oppression.
"Obviously, it's difficult anytime you have a situation like this with someone involved in your own agency or works very closely with your agency, just the law enforcement realm in general. Anytime something like this happens it has an effect on all of us," said Bastrop County Sheriff Terry Pickering.
Sheriff Pickering said the investigation now turns to other teens that may have assisted Chavez. He has worked for TABC for five years.
TABC Administrator Alan Steen says he is fully cooperating with investigators and released this statement: "I want to ensure that TABC has the proper controls in place to protect the safety of the participants, the retailers and the general public."
TABC has suspended all underage sting operations statewide pending a review of agency policies and procedures.
Chavez is a five year veteran of TABC. He's worked in Bastrop County since 2006. He's been placed on leave without pay.
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YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqnmYLIZ-3k
Investigators in Bastrop County said it happened two weeks ago.
The teen was involved in a underage sting operation, where she worked as a decoy attempting to buy alcohol from stores in Bastrop, Fayette and Lee counties.
She said TABC Agent Joe Chavez, Jr., 40, sexually assaulted her on the way home.
According to court documents, Chavez drove the teen down old Highway 20 near Paige, Texas. The teen says Chavez pulled his unmarked state issued vehicle over and sexually assaulted her. She reported the incident last Saturday. Investigators say Chavez admitted to everything. He was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of official oppression.
"Obviously, it's difficult anytime you have a situation like this with someone involved in your own agency or works very closely with your agency, just the law enforcement realm in general. Anytime something like this happens it has an effect on all of us," said Bastrop County Sheriff Terry Pickering.
Sheriff Pickering said the investigation now turns to other teens that may have assisted Chavez. He has worked for TABC for five years.
TABC Administrator Alan Steen says he is fully cooperating with investigators and released this statement: "I want to ensure that TABC has the proper controls in place to protect the safety of the participants, the retailers and the general public."
TABC has suspended all underage sting operations statewide pending a review of agency policies and procedures.
Chavez is a five year veteran of TABC. He's worked in Bastrop County since 2006. He's been placed on leave without pay.
________________
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqnmYLIZ-3k
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