Victoria Police Officer Nathaniel Robinson Fired After Tasing 76-year-old Man Over Plate Sticker Violation

Former Police Officer Robinson could face criminal charges for misconduct in office and assaulting a senior citizen.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 6, 2015

Victoria, Texas - On Monday, Victoria Police Officer Nathaniel Robinson, 23, was fired after using a taser twice on Pete Vasquez, 76, on December 11, 2014 for alleged plate sticker violation. Vasquez had dealer plates, which are exempt from state law violation. He was hospitalized after the incident.

Victoria Police Chief Jeff Craig on Monday said during a press conference, an internal affairs investigation determined that former Police Officer Robinson violated three department policies, which included a violation of conduct policy, use of force policy and arrest without a warrant policy. Robinson should have just cited Vasquez, if he had a sticker violation, but the investigation confirmed that Vasquez, who worked for Adam's Auto Mart had dealer plates as he first told Robinson at the time of the incident. Dealer plates are exempt from a sticker violation.
The incident of a struggle between both Robinson and Vasquez and Vasquez's being tased twice and audio was caught by Robinson's assigned police squad camera, which later went viral.

An internal investigation was conducted by the Victoria Police Department and the Texas Ranger Company F. An initial investigative report by the Texas Rangers was turned over to the Victoria County District Attorney's Office. Criminal charges against Robinson are being reviewed by Victoria County prosecutor Stephen B. Tyler and could face charges for injury to an elderly, unlawful restraint and misconduct in office. Tyler is also reviewing whether to charge Vasquez with resisting arrest and assault of a public servant.

On Tuesday, Vasquez's attorney in a press conference said, that former Police Officer should be charged with a criminal offense for assaulting her client. Vasquez thanked the Victoria Police Department for their decision to terminate Robinson, a two-year police veteran.

Vasquez is now considering to file a lawsuit against Robinson and the Victoria Police Department for injuries caused during the December 11 incident. Vasquez's son says, that his father hasn't been the same since the incident and is experiencing pain from his injuries.

Robinson and Vasquez dash video: http://youtu.be/yY3VXWrOD74