Suspended Judge Says He is Innocent

TYLER – In his first court appearance, Joel Baker said he waived his right to arraignment and pleaded not guilty. Baker remains free on bond following his arrest in June on three counts of violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. He allegedly held illegal closed meetings to discuss a red-light traffic enforcement contract, which has since been suspended. The plan had been to use the cameras to monitor speeding in school zones. Baker is also under investigation for allegations he was involved in explicit sexual behavior online while conducting government business.