The Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office this week promoted its participation in a holiday “Blue Santa” event at Valentine Elementary School, highlighting the delivery of Christmas gifts to students and thanking community donors for their support.
In a post published on the department’s official Facebook page, the Sheriff’s Office said Sheriff Victor Lopez, members of his staff, and Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Luedecke attended the event and were invited to preview the school’s Christmas program. Photographs accompanying the post show Lopez, deputies, school staff, and Luedecke walking with students during the visit.
The post also stated that Blue Santa gifts will be delivered at Dirks Elementary School in Fort Davis at a later date.
While the department’s post focused on the holiday event, it comes amid unresolved controversies involving the Sheriff’s Office and county officials.
Detention and Dropped Charge
Big Bend Times publisher David Flash said the Sheriff’s Office’s public-facing messaging contrasts sharply with his own experience involving the department earlier this year.
Flash said deputies with the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office detained and handcuffed him and charged him with disorderly conduct, a charge he said was not supported by facts and was later dropped.
“The charge wasn’t sustainable because it never should have been filed in the first place,” Flash said. “There was no factual basis for it.”
Flash has previously reported that the incident occurred while he was engaged in lawful newsgathering activities.
Use-of-Force Allegations and Unanswered Requests
Flash has also filed complaints alleging use of force by Deputy Adriana Ruelobo, who is supervised by Sheriff Lopez. He said those complaints have not been properly investigated.
In addition, Flash said the Sheriff’s Office has repeatedly failed to respond fully or timely to Texas Public Information Act requests seeking records related to law enforcement conduct and internal policies.
“These are the same officials who say they don’t have the time or resources to properly investigate complaints or comply with open records laws,” Flash said. “Yet they consistently find time for press releases and photo opportunities.”
High-Speed Pursuit Concerns
The Sheriff’s Office has also faced criticism for a high-speed vehicle pursuit that began in Fort Davis and continued toward Interstate 10. Flash said the pursuit involved a non-violent individual and unnecessarily placed members of the public at risk.
He said many law enforcement agencies limit pursuits to situations involving violent suspects or immediate threats to public safety.
Justice of the Peace Participation Raises Additional Questions
Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Luedecke appears in photographs from the Blue Santa event and was referenced by name in the Sheriff’s Office post.
Flash said Luedecke has made false statements to law enforcement about him, attempted to detain him without lawful authority, and issued what he described as a false warrant.
“Mary Ann Luedecke has made false statements to police, attempted to detain me, and issued a false warrant,” Flash said. “She has also made multiple libelous statements about me. I am comfortable saying her conduct amounts to official oppression.”
Flash said his statements are based on documented events and records and that he stands by them.
Scope of This Reporting
Lopez and Luedecke were not contacted for comment for this article. The Sheriff’s Office post did not reference any of the allegations or unresolved matters described above, focusing exclusively on the holiday event.
Public Image and Public Record
Flash said he does not dispute the value of charitable efforts for children but believes public relations messaging should not obscure unresolved issues involving government authority.
“No one is criticizing kids getting presents,” Flash said. “What’s being questioned is the lack of accountability when the same officials are accused of abusing power and violating rights.”
As of publication, there has been no public disclosure of disciplinary action, independent investigation findings, or resolutions related to the allegations involving the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office or Luedecke.
