by | Published
SAN MARCOS, Texas — The San Marcos Police Department has concluded an internal investigation into a March traffic stop and arrest involving a teenager and his father, resulting in a temporary suspension and policy changes within the department.
According to the department, Officer Jaciel Cortina was placed on administrative leave following the March 14, 2026 incident while an internal affairs investigation and administrative review were conducted.
Police Chief Stan Standridge announced that Cortina received a 24-hour suspension and will be required to complete retraining related to de-escalation and investigative practices.
The department said investigators substantiated three policy violations involving departmental records, response to resistance and aggression, and investigative procedures. Officials cited an inaccurate statement in a probable cause affidavit, failure to fully articulate the basis for detention, and failure to verify the juvenile’s location and complete investigative questioning before making arrests.
The incident began at approximately 3:55 a.m. on March 14 when officers responded to 1800 Post Road after a caller reported her 15-year-old daughter was attempting to leave the apartment and enter a red truck.
According to affidavits, Cortina located a red truck matching the reported description near Aquarena Springs Drive and Charles Austin Drive and initiated a traffic stop.
Police identified the driver as 17-year-old Esteban Victor Reyes. Authorities said Reyes refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle.
According to the affidavit, the passenger, identified as 44-year-old Gerardo Gonzalez Reyes, physically held onto his son and interfered with officers attempting to remove him from the vehicle.
Video recorded by family members during the stop showed officers ordering Esteban Reyes out of the vehicle and his father questioning why officers were treating his son that way. The recording reportedly showed Gerardo Gonzalez Reyes holding onto his son but did not clearly capture statements referenced in the affidavit about refusing to allow officers to remove him from the vehicle.
In the affidavit, Cortina cited the U.S. Supreme Court case Pennsylvania v. Mimms as authority permitting officers to order a driver out of a lawfully stopped vehicle.
Both Esteban Reyes and Gerardo Gonzalez Reyes were arrested on charges of interference with public duties and transported to the Hays County Law Enforcement Center.
Authorities later determined the 15-year-old girl had never left her residence. Family members stated Esteban Reyes had gone to the apartment to drop off items for his girlfriend, but she never came outside.
After the arrests, authorities learned Gerardo Gonzalez Reyes was subject to an immigration detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The police department said it had no role in the federal immigration enforcement action, stating the detainer was discovered after booking into the jail.
The department also emphasized that its policies prohibit detaining or arresting individuals solely based on immigration status or non-criminal immigration detainers.
Separately, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, known as CLEAT, defended Cortina’s actions and stated its attorneys are representing the officer. CLEAT said an independent review found Cortina had reasonable suspicion for the stop, conducted a lawful detention and arrest, and did not violate the subjects’ civil rights.
Chief Standridge also announced several departmental reforms following the investigation, including new supervisory protocols for significant incidents, updated policies regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers, enhanced documentation requirements for detentions and arrests, use of standardized translation applications, development of a public-facing policing metrics dashboard, and the creation of a departmental leadership academy.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Gerardo Gonzalez Reyes remains in federal custody pending removal proceedings. Federal officials cited prior DWI convictions from 2004 and 2005.
