A former Williamson County sheriff’s deputy once featured on the reality show “Live PD” and involved in at least three controversial force incidents has been charged with assault and official oppression from his encounter with a domestic violence victim in September 2019.
The incident involving Lorenzo Hernandez, who voluntarily left the force in late 2020, had received no public attention until reporting last fall from the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV during a months-long investigation of the agency. Hernandez is the sixth person, including the county’s former sheriff, to face 10 felony and misdemeanor charges for crimes officials say they committed in connection to their work with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. A new sheriff, Mike Gleason, took office in January.
The law, named for a Black man who died after being tasered by Williamson County deputies, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with reality television shows.
In this image made from a March 28, 2019, body-worn camera video provided by the Austin Police Department in Texas, Williamson County deputies hold down Javier Ambler as one of them uses a Taser on Amblerâs back during his arrest in Austin, Texas. (Austin Police Department via AP)
Texas Senate passes Javier Amblerâs Law; bill awaiting governorâs signature By Craig Huber Austin
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AUSTIN, Texas â The Texas Senate on Thursday passed House Bill 54, better known as Javier Amblerâs Law.
If signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, which remains to be seen, the bill would prevent state and local law enforcement from entering into contracts with reality shows.
A proposed law named for a 40-year-old Black man whose deadly encounter with Williamson County sheriff’s deputies sparked questions about reality TV in American policing won overwhelming support Thursday in the Texas Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk.
The Javier Ambler Law bans law enforcement agencies from contracting with shows, such as the now-canceled but long-running series “COPS” and the defunct show “Live PD,” which was filming with Williamson County deputies the night Javier Ambler II died.
The measure, which passed the Senate in a 27-3 vote with no discussion, had already passed the Texas House and received resounding bipartisan support.