UISD Board Member, Sheriff Office Assistant Chief turns himself into police custody for alleged assault incident

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A top-ranking Webb County Sheriff Official and United ISD Trustee turned himself into Laredo Police custody after allegedly assaulting a doctor.

A 15-page affidavit, outlines what allegedly happened on the night of the incident.

UISD Board member and Webb County Sheriff Assistant Chief Ricardo Rodriguez allegedly assaulted an ER doctor.

According to the five versions provided by the victim in the case, Ricardo Rodriguez, 62, was seeking services at a free-standing emergency room that’s located at the 1000 block of Bob Bullock Loop.

Laredo Police spoke to the victim and according to the report, the victim said Rodriguez had allegedly physically assaulted him.

After an investigation was carried out, a warrant was issued for Rodriguez.

“Because of the circumstances of the case, what was actually seen or not seen, what the officers observed, it was recorded, it was collected, statements on both halves of the people involved were collected and they went ahead and turn it over to the investigation division which was not unnormal,” said Investigator Joe Baeza.

Rodriguez’s attorney Philip Del Rio has spoken out about the allegations saying, “Given Mr. Rodriguez’s track record of service to the community. The allegation against him is completely aberrant. While this incident is unfortunate, it is important to remember that anyone accused of a crime must be presumed innocent.”

Mr. Rodriguez’s attorney said they look forward to resolving this matter through the criminal justice system.

After nearly 2 months, Rodriguez turned himself in to the Laredo Police Department and now he is out on a $10,000 bond from Webb County Jail.

According to a statement by UISD, they stated that the incident was not connected to any district matter or business and would not comment further on it; however, they say Rodriguez will continue as board member during his legal process.

In three statements sent to KGNS, Rodriguez was getting treated for a medical condition at a local healthcare facility when the alleged assault happened.

The three statements are from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, United ISD and attorney Philip Del Rio who is representing Rodriguez.

United ISD has issued the following statement:

“It has come to the District’s attention that trustee Ricardo “Rick” Rodriguez voluntarily presented himself to the Laredo Police Department for an alleged incident that occurred off District property and which was unrelated to any District matters or District business. The District’s top priority remains our students and their academic excellence. The District has no further comment on this matter at this time.”

Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar states that an investigation on the allegations is underway, his statement is as followed:

“I remind the public that as representatives of this agency and the community, our officers and sworn personnel are held to a higher standard on or off duty. We will treat this case as any other case, offering transparency to the public. We will move forward and let justice take its course.”

Rodriguez has retained Philip Del Rio of the Del Rio Law Firm to represent him in this matter.

“Mr. Ricardo Rodriguez has proudly served our community over the last three decades, as both a decorated Officer of the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, and a UISD board member. Given Mr. Rodriguez’s track record of service to our community, the allegation against him is completely aberrant, and the result of an underlying medical condition. While this incident is unfortunate, it is important to remember that anyone accused of a crime must be presumed innocent. We look forward to resolving this matter through our criminal justice system.”

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