Details emerge behind former constable candidate’s firing from DPS

McALLEN - A four-page letter details alleged events that led to the termination of a former Hidalgo County constable candidate from a state law enforcement agency more than a decade ago.

The Texas Department of Public Safety letter - which the agency released Wednesday - describes how Robert R. Maldonado faced charges of aggravated assault and family violence after he allegedly forced his way into an apartment and pointed a pistol at a man's head Sept. 22, 1994.

The letter, dated March 23, 1995, states that Maldonado's estranged wife at the time was visiting the alleged victim, Chad Ford, in Sweetwater, roughly 40 miles west of Abilene along Interstate 20.

Maldonado was then stationed as a highway trooper in Colorado City, about 30 miles west of Sweetwater, according to DPS.

The letter from then-DPS Col. James Wilson was addressed to Maldonado, informing him of the agency's decision to terminate his employment. Wilson detailed how Maldonado allegedly forced his way into Ford's apartment, grabbed the man's throat and pointed a pistol at his head.

Maldonado then searched the apartment and found his wife in the bedroom, the letter states. He assaulted Ford again and disconnected the telephone line, according to the letter. It does not detail what may have occurred after that.

The letter does not state how DPS found out about the incident.

The Sweetwater Police Department confirmed last week that Maldonado faced an aggravated assault charge and a family violence charge stemming from that evening. DPS suspended Maldonado without pay on April 10, 1995, and he was fired Oct. 3 of that year.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, which regulates ethical practices within law enforcement and has the ability to suspend a peace officer's license, confirmed the charges were dropped and no disciplinary actions affecting his license were ever taken.

Maldonado appealed DPS' decision to fire him to the Texas Public Safety Commission, but his request was denied, according to DPS.

Now 43 and recently resigned as a deputy from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office, Maldonado did not return several messages seeking comment late Wednesday afternoon.

But last week, when news of the incident first surfaced, he said he had "no knowledge" of facing those charges or the 1995 letter addressed to him, and that he was never fired from DPS. He merely resigned because of a conflict with DPS policy, he said. He also said he was going through a contentious divorce at the time.

"I have no recollection of any assault in anybody's apartment," Maldonado said then. "I don't know what you are talking about. ... All I know is that my license wasn't suspended."

Until Aug. 10, 2007, Maldonado worked four years as a deputy for the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. He resigned, but no reason was listed and there were no disciplinary actions in his personnel file, according to the sheriff's office.

Maldonado lost to incumbent Precinct 1 Constable Celestino Avila in the Democratic primary runoff election Tuesday, garnering almost 35 percent of the vote.

Neither Ford nor Maldonado's wife during the 1995 incident could be located for comment Wednesday, and it was not clear if Maldonado is still married to her.
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Jackie Leatherman covers Hidalgo County government and general assignments at The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4424.