Vela’s sons erupted in anger when the sentence was read and they were physically removed from the courtroom, some of them yelling profanities.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, left, and assistant district attorney Oscar Salinas answer questions after former Bexar County Pct. 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela was sentenced in 226th District Court, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. She received a suspended six-year prison sentence and granted five years probation with 600 hours of community service and a deferred 90 days in jail.
Meza briefly explained her sentencing decision, saying she recalled how testimony at the trial established “a lot of evidence of threats and intimidation, a hostile work environment, things that different witnesses described that stemmed from your elected position.” Meza recalled a press conference Vela held shortly after Moreno’s arrest on charges of aggravated perjury and falsifying documents. Vela was in uniform, flanked by staff and supporters who held up signs, “trashing our elected officials, our county leadership,” the judge noted.
The two evidence tampering verdicts were third-degree felonies, and Vela might have received up to 10 years in prison for each of them.
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