While Jeff Davis County Sheriff Victor Lopez posed for Facebook photos this week with a costumed “Judy Hopps” from Zootopia to promote back-to-school safety, he continues to ignore a formal civil rights complaint filed against his office by the publisher of this publication, Big Bend Times.
The complaint details how Chief Deputy Adriana Ruiloba violently assaulted and unlawfully detained the publisher—without any valid legal reason—and how Sheriff Lopez personally participated in the unlawful detention. To make matters worse, the publisher was falsely charged with disorderly conduct—a charge that Jeff Davis County was ultimately forced to dismiss after video evidence made it undeniably clear that no disorderly conduct occurred.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, and despite legal obligations under Texas Government Code, Sheriff Lopez has failed to initiate or conduct any proper investigation into the misconduct. There has been no accountability, no disciplinary action, and no transparency from the Sheriff’s Office.
“This year’s first day of school just got a whole lot safer,” Sheriff Lopez wrote on Facebook. “Sheriff Lopez will be out patrolling the school zone alongside none other than Judy Hopps, our very own Zootopia hero!”
But while Sheriff Lopez stages cartoon-themed public relations moments, he neglects his legal duty to investigate credible allegations of brutality and unlawful detention by his chief deputy—actions that targeted a journalist, violated constitutional rights, and led to a criminal charge that had no legal or factual basis.
There was no probable cause, no disorderly behavior, and no justification for the detention or arrest. The entire incident was recorded on video, which directly contradicted the narrative pushed by county officials.
Sheriff Lopez is not accused of physical assault, but he did participate in the unlawful detention, and he has refused to investigate the incident, as required by law.
What does it say about Jeff Davis County leadership when the sheriff finds time to pose with cartoon characters—but no time to investigate unlawful use of force against a peaceful, innocent citizen?
No emoji-filled Facebook post can hide the truth: This was abuse of power, and the Sheriff is helping cover it up.
Image Credit: Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office
