FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAPD OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO OFFICIAL OPPRESSION AND VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

San Antonio, Texas: September 16, 2009:

This morning former San Antonio Police Officer Gregory Mickel, 31, entered guilty pleas to Official Oppression and Violation of Civil Rights of a Person in Custody in front of 187th District Judge Raymond Angelini.

This case arose when Mickel, while on duty and driving a SAPD patrol car, detained the complainant after observing her get picked up in an area known for prostitution. The female alleges Mickels agreed to release her in exchange for sexual favors. Mickel later dropped off the complainant near her home. Shortly after being released by Mickels the complainant phoned the San Antonio police and Mickel was one of the officers that responded to the call. Several days later the victim gave a statement to SAPD and an investigation was initiated. When questioned, Mickel maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual.

After the investigation was concluded, Mickel was terminated from employment by the San Antonio Police Department.

The plea agreement calls for Mickel to plead guilty to the two charges and the term of his sentence will be decided by Judge Raymond Angelini. As part of the agreement Mickel, a four year veteran of the department, permanently surrendered his TCLEOSE law enforcement license. Official Oppression and Violation of Civil Rights are each Class “A” Misdemeanors which are punishable by confinement of up to one year in the Bexar County Jail and up to a $4,000 fine. Because both of these charges are considered Official Misconduct, jurisdiction over these cases rests in District Court.

For more information, contact Adriana Biggs, Chief, White Collar Crime at 335-2404.