Zachary Maini, a former trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), has entered a no contest plea to charges of official oppression resulting from a traffic stop incident in August 2022 involving Clateachia Stewart. As reported by FOX 7 Austin, Maini was accused of using a Taser on Stewart when she supposedly was not posing any threat. This plea agreement includes the permanent surrender of Maini's Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license, prohibiting him from future law enforcement activities in the state.
The deal also stipulates that Maini is to complete a two-month period of deferred adjudication community supervision. If he manages to successfully navigate through the probationary period with no infractions, he could potentially have his records sealed relating to this case. This outcome was confirmed by the Travis County District Attorney's Office, emphasizing their commitment to holding authority figures accountable when engaging in unlawful behavior, as KXAN reports.
Stewart, the victim in this case, was able to record part of the incident on her cellphone, which later played a role in the investigation and the subsequent suspension of Maini from DPS. She faced initial charges of resisting arrest and evading arrest, which were later dropped. Speaking with KXAN, Stewart conveyed her feelings about the ordeal, stating, "For two years I thought this story didn't matter. It's not the justice I imagined, but it's still a step."
Furthermore, prior to Maini's plea, an investigation led by DPS' Office of the Inspector General founded enough evidence of misconduct to terminate his employment approximately a month after the controversial incident. Maini, who had started with DPS in 2017, had his career abruptly ended amid the fallout from the case. DPS clarified that Maini was unaware of Stewart's previous assault arrest at the time of the traffic stop, which Stewart's records indicate have since been dismissed. Stewart's attorney has been reached out to for comments but has not provided a response at the time of this reporting, as documented by KXAN.
