A grand jury indicted six former Houston police officers on Thursday with a total of 17 charges for their roles in a failed drug raid in January 2019 that left a couple dead.
The January 28, 2019 raid came under scrutiny after alleged police officer Gerald Goines, who was shot during the raid, lied in a search warrant that a confidential informant had purchased heroin in the home. Goines later acknowledged that there was no informant and that he bought the drugs himself, authorities said.
His partner at the time, Steven Bryant, 46, is accused of providing false information in a post-raid report that supported Goines’ story of a confidential informant.
Rhogena Nicholas, 58, and Dennis Tuttle, 59, and their dog were killed in the shooting. Her family and friends have continually rejected allegations that the couple sold drugs. Police found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the home, but not heroin. During the raid, four officers were shot and wounded, and a fifth injured his knee.
Goines had previously been charged with charges of serious murder and tampering with government records. He was charged with additional felony charges Thursday. The felony murder charge carries a life sentence.
The district attorney’s Friday statement said hundreds of defendants arrested by Goines have been notified that there may be problems with their convictions. The defendants have received court-appointed attorneys.
Bryant had previously been charged with charges of tampering with government records.
Three former supervisors and a former senior police officer were also charged Thursday with felony charges.
“The charges stem from allegations including using false information to get judges to sign search warrants; falsifying time sheets, putting false information on crime reports and falsifying government documents to steal,” according to a statement released by the office. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg Friday.
“These allegations reinforce our decision to prosecute graft, greed and corruption in this troubled division of the Houston police,” said Ogg. “We hope to present all the evidence in a courtroom before a jury and the people of Harris County.”
The six officers were initially charged on July 1.
Goines’ lawyer said the accusation was inconsequential. “There is no new information here,” Nicole DeBorde told NBC News. “This time, Ogg’s announcement is just another opportunity for her to speak to the press about the same thing, not a bit of new information has come out.”
“Mr. Goines has fully complied with all court orders and is still under house arrest and undergoing corrective surgery after being shot in the face during the Harding Street investigation,” he added, referring to the raid.
Bryant’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Goines and Bryant were released from service after the shooting and then retired.
