A San Antonio police officer, Taylor Thompson, was arrested on Wednesday in Castroville on a family-assault charge, accused of causing bodily injury to a family member. The Castroville Police Department is handling the criminal case, while the San Antonio Police Department has opened a separate internal investigation.
SAPD confirmed the arrest in a statement to KENS5, which reported that Thompson was taken into custody by Castroville officers on Wednesday and booked on the family-violence charge. According to that report, Thompson is assigned to SAPD's patrol division and has been with the department for about five years.
The criminal investigation is being led by the Castroville Police Department. The town's City of Castroville website identifies the agency as the local point of contact for law-enforcement matters and inquiries. City and department officials have not released additional details about the alleged incident.
SAPD has placed Thompson on administrative duty while its internal review plays out, the department told KENS5. The department said its administrative investigation is separate from the criminal probe underway in Castroville.
Legal implications
Under Texas law, assault that causes bodily injury to a family member is generally treated as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine, as detailed by Justia’s publication of Texas Penal Code § 22.01. Aggravating factors, including prior family-violence convictions, the use of a weapon, or conduct that impedes breathing, can raise the offense to felony-level charges.
SAPD context
The arrest lands in the middle of a rough stretch for SAPD, which has seen several high-profile personnel cases and off-duty arrests involving area officers in recent years. For example, KSAT reported that another SAPD officer was arrested on a family-violence charge in late 2024, highlighting the department's practice of handling criminal and administrative inquiries on separate tracks.
For now, Castroville police remain in charge of the criminal case while SAPD conducts its internal review. Officials have asked that questions about the criminal investigation be directed to Castroville authorities. This story will be updated as either agency releases more information.
