TYLER COUNTY, Texas — One of two full-time law enforcement officers for the city of Ivanhoe has been indicted by a Tyler County grand jury.
Ivanhoe Marshal Terry Riley has been indicted by the grand jury according to Ivanhoe mayor Cathy Bennett.
According to a DPS spokesperson, the investigation was completed on June 7 and given to the grand jury.
The Tyler County Booster reported on Facebook that Riley was arrested on Tuesday on a charge of official oppression before being released on a $500 bond.
Official oppression is a class A misdemeanor according to the Texas Penal Code.
If convicted of a class A misdemeanor Riley's peace officer's license could be suspended for 120 days or up to 10 years according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
“Our city marshal has done nothing wrong, we stand behind him 100%. Everything will work out if it goes to trial,” Bennett told 12News when confirming that he had been indicted.
She also told 12News that the city has no intention of putting Riley on administrative leave at this time.
Jay Sykes has lived in Ivanhoe for the last three years and couldn't believe the news that came out on Thursday.
"Whatever these accusations are, maybe they are true or maybe they're not," Sykes said. "I'm literally not going to throw any stones at the guy, because like I said, he was always good to me and my family."
The city employs two full-time and three part-time officers according to Bennett.
From a DPS news release:
Earlier this month, the Texas Rangers (DPS) were appointed by the Texas Attorney General’s Office to conduct a criminal investigation into allegations of official oppression by the Ivanhoe City Marshal.
On June 7, the completed investigation was submitted to a Tyler County Grand Jury.
This remains an ongoing criminal investigation and additional details cannot be released at this time.