Houston cops indicted

[editor]

The following statement is from the Harris County District Attorney's Office:

A Harris County grand jury today indicted a Houston Police Officer and a former Houston Police Officer on theft-related charges involving more than $100,000 in losses by the Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU).

Ronny Martin, the former police officer, was indicted on two charges. They are the first-degree felony of Aggregate Theft by a Public Servant of $100,000 to $200,000, and the second-degree felony of Misapplication of Fiduciary Property of $100,000 to $200,000.

Officer Jeffrey Larson was indicted for the second-degree felony of Misapplication of Fiduciary Property of $100,000 to $200,000.

The defendants are accused of engaging in a criminal scheme that misappropriated cash, checks, credit cards, and vehicles totaling more than $100,000 from the HPOU organization and board of directors. The thefts allegedly occurred from December 2004 to January 2008.

Larson acted as treasurer for HPOU. In that capacity, he is accused of failing to document and account for transactions, transferring titles of vehicles without payment, and negotiating HPOU checks for cash payments.

Martin is accused of orchestrating the scheme and receiving benefits from the transactions. Martin served as the HPOU secretary and was a member of the union's board of directors.

The Public Integrity Division of the Harris County District Attorney's Office will be prosecuting the cases.