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Mission police officer charged with disorderly conduct after incident on South Padre Island

The South Padre Island Police Department charged an off-duty Mission police officer with disorderly conduct on Saturday.

Mission police Chief Cesar Torres announced the arrest of Officer Arturo Casanova Jr. on Saturday afternoon.

“I am committed to preserving the public’s confidence and trust in the Mission Police Department,” Torres said in a statement. “We will continue to investigate any and all allegations of employee misconduct, and I will take the necessary and appropriate actions to maintain accountability and transparency to the citizens we serve.”

People may be charged with disorderly conduct for making an offensive gesture, threatening another person or using vulgar language, among other acts. It’s usually a Class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by a maximum fine of $500.

What, exactly, Casanova did remains unclear.

Arturo Casanova Jr. in 2021, when he was arrested on a felony assault charge. (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.)

South Padre Island police Chief Claudine O’Carroll couldn’t be reached for comment on Saturday. Det. Art Flores, a spokesman for the Mission Police Department, said the department hadn’t received any details about what happened.

Casanova joined the Mission Police Department in 2009, according to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records. He became a master peace officer in April 2021.

Less than a month later, Casanova’s wife accused him of choking her during an argument.

They started arguing while driving home from a friend’s house.

“Mrs. Casanova advised when they arrived to their residence they both exited the vehicle and continued to argue in the driveway,” according to an affidavit filed with the Mission Municipal Court. “She advised Mr. Casanova put his hands around her throat because he was upset due to her phone going off (receiving alerts).”

Casanova, however, said his wife attacked him.

“Mr. Casanova stated that Mrs. Casanova came at him and grabbed him by the face, and stated that he tried to push her back,” according to the affidavit.

Officers asked Casanova’s wife if she wanted to press charges.

“She was unsure due to him being a cop,” according to a Mission Police Department report that summarized the incident.

Officers charged Casanova with assault, a third-degree felony, two days after the altercation.

The Mission Police Department fired Casanova after he was arrested on the assault charge.

“As a law enforcement officer, you are held to a higher standard; you have brought discredit not only to yourself but also to our organization, the Mission Police Department,” according to an order of indefinite suspension signed by then-Mission police Chief Robert Dominguez. “Your photo has circulated around on multiple social media sites such as; Facebook and Justice RGV with negative remarks regarding this incident.”

The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office dropped the case in December 2021. Prosecutors told the judge his wife didn’t want to press charges.

After the case was dismissed, the Mission Police Department reinstated Casanova.

5 Comments

  1. Juan on March 25, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    That’s the second time for this wife beater

  2. Encarnacion Guerrero on March 26, 2023 at 7:20 am

    That’s why we scored the most Corrupt and Incompetent Police Department in the State.

  3. Esteban on March 26, 2023 at 11:07 am

    Second time already that the public knows about Arturo’s actions. Is this what the Mission PD is all about? Corruption scandal after another.

  4. bob on March 26, 2023 at 7:33 pm

    typical cop going off on a power trip. mission pd’s finest. at least they arent hiring ex gang members like alton pd

  5. manuel garcia on March 27, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    another example of why the police department in the valley are a complete joke …. especially when you all are suppose to uphold the law .. what a joke .shame on Mission Pd.. you all just fell into the arms of every other corrupted police dept across the valley and nation…

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