UPDATED 12/2/2014 6:41pm

Based on the news stories aired locally and on the internet, it was brought to our attention that an Officer had requested Ms. Espinosa to delete the video that was recorded. We viewed the entire dashcam video and found the conversation between Officer Lockhart and Ms. Espinosa. It was discovered that Officer Lockhart did request that the video be deleted.

Officer Lockhart took full responsibility for his statement on the video and was formally disciplined for those actions.

A memo to the entire department will follow on Wednesday regarding Texas Penal Code Sec. 38.02 “Failure to Identify” and our commitment to transparency by allowing citizens who wish to photograph or record our officers in a public space.

Floyd Simpson, Chief of Police

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The text listed below is from the letter sent to media and internet sites regarding the internet video. The letter is attached as well. 

Response to Internet Video

Response to Internet Video

On August 16, 2014 at 3:41 a.m., Corpus Christi Police Officers were called to the Whataburger restaurant parking lot, located at 1121 Waldron Road, to back up an off-duty officer. The off-duty officer was not a Corpus Christi Police Officer, but assigned to the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office (NCDA).

A review of the incident shows that Senior Officer Jerry Lockhart arrived to assist in what had been a fight involving ten people that was no longer in progress. Officer Lockhart started to assist the off-duty NCDA officer in the investigation of the fight. He was directed to Ms. Espinosa by the off-duty NCDA officer because she had been involved in the altercation.

Ms. Espinosa refused to identify herself to CCPD Officer Lockhart or the off-duty NCDA officer.

Ms. Espinosa was restrained by the off-duty NCDA officer and detained by Officer Lockhart for “Interference with Public Duties”. The detention was based on the incident (that she had been involved in the fight, which she admitted), and not due to the fact that Ms. Espinosa was videotaping the officers.

Officer Lockhart did not witness the altercation that had occurred prior to his arrival. The off-duty NCDA officer did not charge anyone with a crime and released everyone at the scene, including Ms. Espinosa. Our officers cleared the location at 4:17 a.m.

The Corpus Christ Police Department prides itself in transparency and respects the public’s right to photograph and record in public. Our officers are trained to be respectful during police/citizen contacts and de-escalation techniques.

Furthermore, members of Corpus Christi Police Department do not interfere with citizens who wish to photograph or record our officers in the public space.

“Adam” District
Date: 11/22/2014        7:11 PM
Location: 4505 Leopard St.
Offense: Agg. Robbery
(PC 29.03  1st Degree Felony)
Case Number: 1411220011

Officers were dispatched to 4505 Leopard in reference to a possible shooting or stabbing victim. Officers arrived and made contact with the 51 year old victim. Officers observed a laceration to the top right side of his head and laceration to his right lower torso.

The victim stated that he heard a knock on his door. When he opened it he observed 2 females and 1 male. The victim would not elaborate what was happening in the room but at some point the male struck him in the head, knocking the victim to the floor. The victim believes that one of the females stabbed him and then grabbed the keys to his truck driving off in an unknown location. The victim was transported to Spohn Memorial with non life threatening injuries.

At approximately 5:45 AM the victims abandoned vehicle was located in the rear of 5400 Leopard, an area known for prostitution.

“Bravo” District
Date: 11/22/2014        7:11 PM
Location: 800 Weaver Street
Offense: Warrant of Arrest
Case Number: 1411220146

Officers were dispatched to 800 Weaver St. in reference to a suspect wanting to turn himself in to police. Officers made contact with Alexander Moore (06-12-1994) who told officers that he had a warrant. Alexander was checked and found to have a warrant for forgery out of Nueces County. He was arrested ant transported to The City Detention Center.

“Bravo” District
Date: 11/23/2014        3:19 PM
Location: 400 Ashland
Offense: Dog Bite
Case Number: 1411230095

Officers arrived in the area of 400 Ashland to investigate a disturbance. Officers went to the house of one of the individuals involved in the disturbance. As officers approached they say a tan pitbull barking and then attack one of the officers biting him in the torso area. The owner of the dog was able to pull it off of the officer. Medics were called to treat a small laceration on the officers torso. Animal was called to quarantine the dog. The officer went to Bay Area hospital for additional treatment.

“Charlie” District
Date: 11/23/2014        2:25 AM
Location: 6410 Weber
Offense: Agg. Assault
(P.C. 22.02  2nd Degree Felony)
Case Number: 1411230023

Officers were dispatched to 6410 Weber to Macaws in reference to a stabbing. Upon arrival officers made contact with the victim who had 1 stab wound to his stomach. The 27 year old male victim was conscious and alert and was being treated by other employees to help stop the bleeding. the victim was transported to Spohn Memorial with non life threatening injuries.

A witness stated that there was a disturbance inside the bar. As the the suspect was walking out he noticed a bouncer walking behind him. The suspect turned around and pulled a knife saying to the bouncer “Is there an issue here?” The bouncer said “no” and was stabbed once by the suspect who then left the building. The suspect was described as a male with a bald head, gold teeth, lip ring and a tattoo on his hand. The suspect is still outstanding at this time.

“Delta” District
Date: 11/21/2014        11:09 PM
Location: 3000 Carver
Offense: Agg. Assault with a vehicle
(P.C. 22.02  2nd Degree Felony)
Case Number: 1411210208

Officers were dispatched to the area of 3000 Carver in reference to a major accident. Officers arrived and located the 32 year old male victim and the suspect on the side of the road. The victim was unresponsive and bleeding from the head. The victim was transported to Spohn Memorial for treatment.

The suspect advised that the victim jumped onto her vehicle as she was leaving. she kept driving down the street to get away from the victim. The suspect stopped to get the victim off of her car and that is when he fell off the vehicle causing his injuries.

Veronica Martinez (DOB 04-24-81) was arrested for agg. assault and transported to the City Detention Center.

Search the website Crimereports.com to research all reported criminal activity in Corpus Christi. Anyone who knows any additional information about these crimes should contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2840. Information about unsolved crimes may be provided to investigators anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or online at 888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.