HPD: Ex-Officer Eligible to Reapply for Job

MARSHALL — A former Henderson police officer recently cleared of sexual assault of a child charges is eligible to reapply at the department, but he will have to go through a background check, police Chief James Pierson said. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal “Our city policy has a clause, which is, if you’re indicted for a felony, it releases him automatically,” Pierson said of Jeronimo “Jay Jay” Holguin. “When he was indicted, we notified the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement. He was released from employment at that time,” he said, noting Holguin’s position has been filled. Pierson said Holguin can reapply for a position, “but it’s not a reinstatement whatsoever.”

If Holguin decided to reapply, “We’d take into account the testimony in the court case to see if he’s eligible to be rehired,” Pierson said. “On any background we do, if someone has been in some form of criminal trial regardless of the outcome, the testimony (is taken into account),” Pierson said. “That’s a fairly standard policy pretty much across the board.” The chief said the former officer has not contacted the department.

A Harrison County jury found Holguin not guilty of two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact after his trial in the 71st District Court. Holguin, 25, of Waskom was accused of touching a teen’s breast on two occasions. Holguin, who began his career in law enforcement as a Henderson police officer, was arrested Oct. 3.