The Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office has opened an investigation into the Missouri City Police Department (MCPD) over concerns about the department's handling of evidence. Reports surfaced that evidence was destroyed without a court order, potentially impacting an unknown number of cases. District Attorney Brian Middleton acknowledged the probe, stating that they are "trying to see what ramifications this might have for cases," as per a Houston Chronicle report. In January, the DA's office discovered the issue when they requested evidence but were informed about its destruction.
Tracing back to October 30, 2024, the investigation began after a water leak in the MCPD's evidence room led to damages and subsequent destruction of evidence items relating to active and disposed cases, which include those of felony charges. Despite not knowing the precise number of affected items, around 100 cases could face consequences from this incident. Brian Middleton told the Houston Chronicle, "Right now, we are trying to see what ramifications this might have for cases." A full audit on the department's evidence room is now in the works to evaluate how evidence was managed in the past.
Amid this controversy, the MCPD has cooperated with the investigation, although representatives of the department weren't yet ready to comment on the matter. The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office clarified their non-involvement in the current investigation. Preliminary responses from officials suggest that it is "too early to know the full impact" of the evidence destruction, with officials providing information over the phone but declining on-camera comments, as noted by Click2Houston.
The revelations arise at a sensitive time for the city's police department. Chief Brandon Harris, following a crash that saw a former MCPD officer charged with killing a woman and her teenage son, received a $32,000 boost in his salary. Harris had planned to retire on January 1 but reversed the decision and will now earn $200,000 per year under a new contract, after an unexpected continuation of his leadership role following the replacement search, as detailed by the Houston Chronicle. This decision unfolded after another candidate for his position received a promotion at their current agency, although records requests about the offer returned with city attorneys reporting no such offer ever existed.
