Updated: Federal agents arrest San Juan policeman

The San Juan Police Department will put Officer J.P. Galindo back to work — nearly seven months after the city fired him for apparently attacking a …

The San Juan Police Department will put Officer J.P. Galindo back to work — nearly seven months after the city fired him for apparently attacking a handcuffed man during an arrest.

by: Dave Hendricks

Posted: Apr 14, 2017 / 12:14 AM CDT

Updated: Apr 14, 2017 / 12:14 AM CDT

Federal agents arrested a San Juan policeman on Thursday.

Federal agents arrested Officer Richard L. Castillo, according to information provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Castillo is charged with making a false statement to a federal investigator, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Details about the charge weren’t immediately available.

Asked about the arrest, San Juan police Chief Juan Gonzalez released a statement:

The San Juan Police Department was recently made aware of the arrest of Police Officer Richard Castillo, by federal law enforcement authorities.

Officer Castillo is a duly certified police officer under Texas law, and commissioned by the City of San Juan to serve as a police officer. As a San Juan police officer, Officer Castillo is covered by civil service law process and procedures. While the Department has no information or comment to make with respect to the federal criminal investigation and arrest, Officer Castillo’s employment status with the City of San Juan Police Department will be handled and processed in accordance with the requirements of civil service law as set forth in Chapter 143, Texas Local Gov’t Code and the Local Rules adopted by the San Juan Civil Service Commission.