Bexar County Dismisses Charges Against Ex-Officer
Prosecutors have dropped a felony tampering case filed against former San Antonio police lieutenant Steven G. Velasquez.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Bexar County prosecutors dismissed a felony records-tampering case against former San Antonio police lieutenant Steven G. Velasquez. The officer was previously indicted on allegations of removing his own name from an official department incident report.
Why it matters
The dismissal resolves the criminal charges connected to the administrative report, though the officer remains indefinitely suspended from the San Antonio Police Department. The suspension follows alleged violations of local civil service and police rules.
The 175th District Court issued a warrant for tampering with a government record on August 15, 2025, which led to the booking of Steven G. Velasquez on August 20, 2025. The case involving administrative review report IA2023-1056 is now closed.
The players
Steven G. Velasquez
He is a former San Antonio Police Department lieutenant who was indicted on felony tampering charges.
San Antonio Police Department
This is the primary municipal law enforcement agency responsible for the oversight and internal investigation of its officers.
The details
Velasquez faced an indictment alleging he falsified Administrative Review Report IAPro 2023-1056 on November 29, 2023. By removing himself as an involved employee, he allegedly tampered with a government record before the legal process commenced.
Timeline
November 29, 2023: The date Velasquez allegedly made the false record alteration.
August 15, 2025: A warrant for tampering was issued for the former lieutenant.
August 20, 2025: Velasquez was booked into custody on the active warrant.
October 21, 2026: Bexar County prosecutors officially dropped the felony case.
Legal Context
The dismissal of the criminal case against the officer follows the established administrative disciplinary framework outlined in the City of San Antonio Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission Rules. This action marks a separation between ongoing criminal proceedings and the department's internal disciplinary enforcement.
The resolution of this case settles the immediate criminal matter, but the officer remains under indefinite suspension from the force. Residents may see continued administrative oversight as the department concludes its internal review of these report-tampering allegations.
The takeaway
While the felony charge has been cleared, the department's internal administrative process remains the primary avenue for accountability regarding the falsified record. Maintaining accurate official reports is a critical component of public trust and departmental transparency.
Further reading
For more on department policy, see San Antonio Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KABB.
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