Deputy Arrested for Felony Assault in Domestic Violence Case
Third Bexar County Deputy Arrested this Month
(TX) – Another deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested. That is the third officer arrest in July for this law enforcement agency. The previous two were a DWI arrest and a felony family violence arrest. The latest arrest occurred on Sunday. Detention officer Noe Avila is accused of repeatedly striking a woman in his household, “then threatening her with a handgun.”
The incident started as a verbal altercation that escalated to physical violence. Avila “allegedly struck a victim multiple times, injuring them. Avila then reportedly produced a handgun and threatened the victim with it while pointing it at” her. The victim was able to escape the house and run to a neighbor’s. 911 was called.
The assault occurred at approximately 11:30 pm.
Deputy Flees Scene Before Police Arrive
Deputy Avila fled the area in his vehicle before law enforcement officers arrived. It is unknown where he was headed, but Noe Avila was captured in Atascosa County.
He was later pulled over by Atascosa County sheriff’s deputies while driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 16 South in Atascosa County, according to the release.
BCSO deputies arrived at the traffic stop and took Avila into custody, later booking him at the Bexar County Jail.
No one has indicated if alcohol or drugs were involved, and he was not charged with DWI, but it’s unusual that he would be driving in the wrong direction on the road.
Criminal Investigation
Both a criminal investigation and an internal affairs investigation are being conducted by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’m absolutely disgusted by the behavior in this case. This suspect showed no mercy to his victim, and this administration will show no mercy to him in the handling of the case,” said BCSO Sheriff Javier Salazar in the news release. “I have zero tolerance for family violence and I am equally committed to working with the District Attorney to ensure criminal accountability, but more importantly ensure justice for the victim. I have all intentions of removing him from this agency as soon as allowable in the disciplinary process.”
Deputy Noe Avila
Deputy Avila has been with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. He is assigned to the detention division. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave and has since been served with termination paperwork. Deputy Avila was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/serious bodily injury-family/dating.
[A]ll property belonging to the sheriff’s office, including weapons, uniform and credentials utilized by Avila have been taken from his home. His Texas peace officer’s license has also been revoked.
Bond was set at $100,000. Avila did not post bond and was transferred to Karnes County to be held there.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/fact-sheet/october-domestic-violence-awareness-month