Archive for May 26th, 2010

Ex alcohol agent faces trial for teen sex assault, oppression in Bastrop

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Bastrop, Tx–A former law enforcement agent for the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission was ordered on May 25 to stand trial in Bastrop on charges of official oppression and sexual assault of a child younger than age 17. The state grand jury for Bastrop County returned two indictments against former TABC agend Joe Chavez this week.

Chavez was released from the Bastrop County Jail on $225,000 bail last June 12. The alleged incident, involving a teen and sting operations aimed at alcohol sales by local retailers, took place May 30, 2009, according to investigators. The grand jury indictments, which are not evidence of guilt, name Chavez on charges of sexually assaulting the girl as well as official oppression,that is, acting “under color of his employment as a public servant, namely as a law enforcement agent for the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission.”

Following the arrest of Chavez, TABC officials announced a state wide review and overhaul of rules for sting operations involving field agents and and underage informants working with them.

No trial date has been set.

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Grand jury orders teen’s trial in Mom’s murder

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Bastrop, Tx–A 15-year-old from McDade was ordered to stand trial for murder in the August 2009 death of her mother, 42-year-old Tracy Belllard. Haley Bellard was 14 at the time of the incident.

Last week 423rd District Judge Chris Duggan in Bastrop ruled that Haley Bellard can be tried as an adult for her alleged role in her mother’s death. On May 25 the state grand jury for Bastrop County returned an indictment against the teen, in effect sending the case to trial . An indictment indicates that grand jurors decided there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. The action also serves as formal notice of a felony charge against a defendant. An indictment is not evidence of guilt in any case.

Since Duggan’s ruling earlier this month, Haley Bellard has been held in the Bastrop County Jail under $100,000 bail. Previously she had been held in a juvenile facility in Seguin.

Also charged in the death of Tracy Bellard is 18-year-old Joseph Douglas. He is in the Bastrop County Jail under $750,000 bail. Criminal investigators believe Tracy Bellard was shot to death in her McDade home last Aug. 14 after she tried to break up a romantic relationshiip between her daughter and Douglas.

Prosecutors said it could be another year before the case comes to trial.

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