A former Galveston police officer, Jared Rivas, has been indicted on multiple charges, including injury to a child and assault causing bodily injury, according to a grand jury decision in Galveston County. Rivas, who was terminated from the Galveston Police Department earlier this year, faced these charges after an incident that took place at the Island Bay Resort apartments pool back in June. Details from the indictment reveal two indictments for injury to a child, one for unlawful restraint of a child, and one for official oppression, in addition to four indictories for assault causing bodily injury, FOX 26 Houston reported.
The case, which gained widespread attention due to videos showing Rivas violently interacting with attendees at a child's pool party, has now moved to the trial phase. "We will seek the earliest possible trial date that fairness and due process allow. We cannot comment further," stated the Galveston County District Attorney's Office. The disturbing footage of the incident, showing Rivas allegedly pinning and beating people, was obtained and circulated by ABC13 back in June. One particularly distressing video shows the officer holding a teen down and the sounds of physical blows as the victim cries out. This evidence has played a significant part in the legal proceedings and the public's response to the incident, ABC7 Chicago detailed.
In the wake of these charges, the families involved have sought legal action not only against Rivas but also against additional entities. Their civil rights attorney, Randall L. Kallinen, pointed out the importance of addressing police abuses, stating, "All too often, police abuses are ignored, and this only emboldens those who bring down the reputation of law enforcement." Moreover, the families have taken steps against the Island Bay Resort apartment complex and UTMB Hospital, where they claim one of their children was refused treatment, as noted by ABC7 Chicago.
While Galveston police and UTMB Hospital have refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation, one of the victims shared their relief with Eyewitness News, saying, "I am happy that something finally has been done. My family and I want to thank the Galveston County District Attorney's office, the FBI, and FBI Agent Dolan for their efforts to see justice done," according to ABC7 Chicago.
