Texas Cop is a Disgrace to the Badge
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Another Texas police officer is accused, this time of having sex with a 15-year-old girl who is a member of a law enforcement program for teenagers. Sgt. Vince Ariaz, 53, who has worked for the Brownwood department for the past 17 years, was arrested on a charge of sexual assault of a child and was suspended from duty, authorities said. A Brown County jail spokesman refused to say whether Ariaz was in the facility, referring questions to officials who were not immediately available. A phone listing for Ariaz was not available. Police Chief Virgil Cowin called the arrest a "sad day" for Brownwood police. A three-week probe revealed a possible relationship between Ariaz and a 15-year-old girl who was a member of the Explorers, according to a police investigator. Multiple agencies had been secretly watching Ariaz and the teen, the Brownwood Bulletin reported. Ariaz started the Brownwood Police Explorers program, which teaches young people about law enforcement work, in 2000. As a post adviser, Ariaz supervised 26 members of both genders between the ages of 14 to 21, according to the Explorers program Web site. Ariaz previously worked for the Lubbock County Sheriff's Department and the Colorado City and Slaton police departments. According to the Explorers Web site, Ariaz has received several officer of the year awards throughout his career. |
