TravCo CO Faces Charges After Sneaking In Illegal Items In Jail

Austin TX

15 November, 2021

3:15 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — A Travis County Corrections Officer faces a third-degree felony after he was suspected of sneaking in contraband inside the jail for inmates, according to the county sheriff's office. Officer Jose Esquivel was arrested last week and charged with bringing prohibited substances and items into a corrections facility. On Oct. 20, a corrections supervisor with the Travis County Sheriff's Office received a report from an inmate that Esquivel was bringing contraband into the county's Correctional Complex in exchange for monetary compensation. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. An Internal Affairs investigation was immediately opened, which was followed by a criminal investigation, authorities said. During the investigation, Esquivel was reassigned to administrative duties that did not involve inmate interaction. Esquivel has been employed with TCSO since September 10, 2018. His case is currently under review for administrative or disciplinary action, officials said. "I'm disappointed that a Travis County Sheriff's Office Corrections Officer engaged in this kind of act. When one of our own is arrested, the impact is felt throughout the agency," said sheriff Sally Hernandez. "We hold our employees to a very high standard of conduct and accountability. When it comes to our attention that an employee has potentially violated the law, we act swiftly to investigate the matter and take appropriate action."