The Llano police chief and three other police officers were indicted Wednesday for their roles in the May 2017 arrest of a man, court documents revealed.
According to the documents from the Judicial District Court of Llano County, Llano Police Officer Grant Harden, who has been suspended since December, was indicted on one count of official oppression and another count of tampering with a government record.
The documents allege Harden arrested a man on May 2 and made a false police report following the arrest.
Llano Police Chief Kevin Ratliff, Sergeant Jared Latta and Officer Aimee Shannon were indicted for official oppression in connection to the same arrest.
According to a source close to the investigation, the officers claimed they arrested the man for public intoxication. One officer stated in his report they arrested the alleged victim outside of his home. However, the officers reportedly entered the man’s home without probable cause or a warrant and arrested him, overstepping their authority. The public intoxication charge was later dismissed.
After the Llano County District Attorney launched their investigation, Ratliff suspended himself with pay. Latta and Shannon were placed on paid suspension as well.
The Texas Rangers are assisting the Llano County District Attorney's Office with the investigation.
A fifth officer, identified as Officer Melissa Sloan, was indicted in an unrelated case for tampering or fabricating physical evidence. The documents allege that on March 26, 2017, Sloan destroyed a video recording of a crime scene for a controlled substance case, knowing it would hinder the investigation. She has yet to turn herself in.
This story will update as more information becomes available.