Former Temple Police Officer Arrested For Revealing An Ongoing Investigation
SAN ANTONIO - FBI agents arrested 24 year-old former Temple police officer Erick French for allegedly revealing an ongoing investigation announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher B. Combs, San Antonio Division.
A two-count federal grand jury indictment returned in Austin and unsealed today charges the Copperas Cove, TX, resident with making false statements to federal investigators. According to the indictment, on March 16, 2016, and again on March 21, 2016, French allegedly provided false information to FBI agents in an attempt to hide the fact that he had previously sent a text message alerting an individual to an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Temple Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit.
Upon conviction of each false statement charge, French faces up to five years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
French was released on a $25,000 bond following his initial appearance in Waco this morning before United States Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske. French is scheduled for arraignment in Austin at 11:00am on September 19, 2016, before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin.
This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement (DEA) and the Temple Police Department.
“San Antonio FBI would like to thank DEA and Temple Police Department for their extraordinary contributions in this joint investigation. By identifying and bringing this matter to the FBI's attention, the Temple Police Department has demonstrated high standards for integrity and accountability within its department,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.
Assistant United States Attorney Dan Guess is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
