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Mayor indicted

City maintains indictments lack any legal substance

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  • Leslie Wilber •
  • Originally published May 30, 2008 at 11:49 p.m., updated May 30, 2008 at 11:49 p.m.

Victoria’s mayor and a police lieutenant were arrested Friday, doubling the number of city officials charged with plotting to leak information or foil an investigation.

Mayor Will Armstrong was indicted on two felonies – misuse of official information and criminal conspiracy.

Lt. Ralph Buentello faces the same charges, plus he was indicted on three more counts – aggravated perjury, tampering with a witness and official oppression.

Police Chief Bruce Ure and former city attorney David Smith were indicted on charges similar to Buentello’s on Tuesday.

Friday’s arrests intensified the city’s duel with District Attorney Stephen Tyler. City Attorney Miles Risley read a prepared statement that all four indicted men were working within the scope of their official capacities and in good faith when they became involved in the sexual assault investigation of former Victoria Sheriff Michael Ratcliff.

The city officials maintain that they became involved in the Department of Public Safety investigation into Ratcliff because they were concerned about its lack of progress.

“We have not been presented with any evidence indicating their actions failed to comply with the law,” Risley said. “We continue to be proud of our police department and former city attorney, and we are confident in our leadership.”

About 55 police supporters gathered outside applauded his statement.

A block away, District Attorney Stephen Tyler was back behind his desk after leading the grand jury that had indicted the four city officials. He emphasized the work of the grand jurors should be respected.

“Besides lining out what evidence I have ... it would probably be foolish for me to tell the newspaper what my strategy for proving each element is,” Tyler said.

Police department supporters gathered Friday morning in anticipation of the arrests at the Victoria County sheriff’s office.

Sheriff T. Michael O’Connor parked his Suburban in front of the police department’s door at 10:19 a.m. About 14 minutes later, he escorted Buentello and Armstrong out of the building.

“Ralph, I want you in the back,” O’Connor said as the three men left for the sheriff’s office.

A group of about 30 officers filled downtown sidewalks, following Buentello and Armstrong on foot. Faces peered down from the district attorney’s office windows as police paraded along Forrest Street, past the courthouse.

Officers and about 20 members of the Civilian Police Academy waited almost an hour before Buentello and Armstrong came out of the sheriff’s office. The supporters squeezed into shady spots and gulped the bottled water deputies and officers brought by the case.

“I totally trust our city government,” said Susan Speckels, a member of the academy. “It’s just a shame that so many of our dedicated and honest officers are being treated in this demeaning way. They don’t deserve it.”

Kay and Russell Drane participated in the academy last year and said it’s renewed their respect and appreciation for the force.

“We stand behind the chief,” Russell Drane said. “We have to show our support.”

Buentello stepped first into the midmorning heat; city officials followed him. He looked around at the crowd and smiled.

“I’d like to thank all the supporters,” Buentello said.

He’s bolstered by family and strong faith, he said. “I think everything is going to be fine.”

The mayor came out after most of the crowd left.

“I’ve been advised not to comment,” Armstrong said, pausing to shake a couple of hands. He then left with attorney Bill Seerden.

As everyone left, Ure – who remains on the job as police chief – told his officers, “Let’s go back to work.”

Early Friday morning, he predicted the day’s events would be shocking. But throughout, he said, business would continue as usual at the police department.

Leslie Wilber is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6521 or e-mail her at lwilber@vicad.com or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com


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