An Austin police officer has entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge in a use-of-force incident that dates back to 2021. Officer Alejandro Gaitan accepted a plea deal on Tuesday, agreeing to a charge of assault causing bodily injury. This decision follows a grand jury indictment in March 2023 that initially presented more serious charges, as reported by CBS Austin.
Officers involved in the incident were previously disciplined, with Gaitan himself receiving a suspension without pay, while two other officers were suspended for 90 days for their failure to intervene, according to the former Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. Gaitan, having struck victim Carvius Jackson with a baton and used a Taser during the arrest, will be adhering to the court’s requirement of completing two years of deferred adjudication and surrendering his law enforcement license permanently, as part of the plea agreement.
As a condition of the plea, Gaitan will no longer serve with the Austin Police Department, will undergo an anger management course, and must perform 40 hours of community service. Additionally, he is obligated to pen an apology letter to Jackson. The Travis County District Attorney José Garza emphasized the importance of accountability in law enforcement, saying, "We are grateful to the Austin Police Department for bringing this incident to light, as this case was investigated collaboratively by APD’s Special Investigations Unit and our Civil Rights Unit," in a statement grabbed by KVUE.
Speaking about the importance of maintaining public trust, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis remarked, "Any time our officers engage in misconduct, it is our duty and obligation to report it immediately, as it was in this case." This sentiment aligns with the broader effort of the Austin Police Department to foster community trust and accountability.
