Zapata County fire employee arrested for forgery

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Zapata County Fire employee was arrested after police said he forged a doctor’s signature on a work excuse form.

The investigation began in November when police were called to an emergency room on the 7100 block of North Bartlett Avenue.

According to police, the emergency room director said she received a work excuse form from a captain with the Zapata County Fire Department who was requesting verification of the document.

The form included the name and signature of a doctor employed at the clinic, but the doctor told staff he did not recognize the patient listed.

Clinic records also showed no visit matching the document, and the doctor later confirmed the signature on the work excuse was not his.

Authorities said 33-year-old Kristian Villarreal was served with an arrest warrant Feb. 3 and charged with forgery.

Department responds to arrest

The Zapata County Fire Department Chief issued a statement clarifying details about the employee’s position and the department’s response.

“The Zapata County Fire Department is aware of the situation involving one of our employees. First, we would like to clarify that the individual is not a captain or officer within the department,” the department said in a statement.

“We are cooperating with the Laredo Police Department. In accordance with department policy, the employee has been placed on administrative suspension without pay while an internal review is conducted.”

The department said it cannot discuss personnel matters or potential outcomes while the process is ongoing.

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