HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF
Hays County Corrections Officer John Duran was arrested Thursday night and charged with Official Oppression — a Class A Misdemeanor — and Tampering with a Governmental Record — a State Jail Felony. Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito held a press conference Friday morning in which he explained that Duran “used his power and his position” as a means to take advantage of an inmate. This prompted the department to look further into his background, which revealed other offenses made at his previous department of employment.
According to a press release issued by the Sheriff’s Department, on April 4, a Hays County corrections supervisor was notified by an inmate that she was a victim of sexual misconduct by Duran. An internal investigation immediately began, and measures were taken to ensure Duran no longer had contact with any female inmate, especially the victim.
“What he essentially did in one of the instances is after ‘wrack up’ — what ‘wrack up’ means is after they go to bed, they are supposed to stay in their bunks; he essentially woke the victim up and encouraged her to get in the shower, and he used his computer screen because there’s a camera above the shower,” Hipolito said. “He essentially watched her shower. Whether she agreed to it or not, it doesn’t matter.”
According to the press release, at the onset of the internal administrative investigation, it was determined the actions taken by Duran, if they can be proven, could potentially meet the elements of a criminal offense. The internal administrative investigation was then suspended, and the Hays County Criminal Investigation Division began a criminal investigation. After discussing the findings of the criminal investigation with the Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins’ Office, probable cause affidavits were presented to a Hays County Judge and arrest warrants were issued for the charges.
The Sheriff’s Department stated that Duran has been placed on administrative leave. The internal investigation has resumed, and the findings will be released when it is concluded. Hipolito also said in the press conference that, if determined to be true, Duran will face termination. Duran has been employed by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office since July of 2022. Duran has not previously been the subject of any internal investigations in Hays County.
“We hold our personnel to the highest standards, and any violation of that duty will be met with swift accountability to ensure the safety and dignity of those in our care,” Hipolito stated in a press release. “While I take pride in the work the men and women of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office do every day, the actions of this corrections officer betray the trust placed in him by the public, those he works with and undermine the integrity of our agency.”
This was not Duran’s first workplace offense. In the press conference, Hipolito said Duran “resigned under investigation” in June of 2014.
“He was employed at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. I believe he worked in the prison,” Hipolito said. “According to our warrant that was issued yesterday, he was engaged in the trading of contraband, which he got six months probation for; that was in 2010. In 2014, he had a prisoner cut his hair, which is also a violation of their authority, court order and policies. And then when he left the TDCJ, he was actually under investigation at that time for giving false statements.”
Hipolito said the background check that was done at Duran’s time of employment “wasn’t sufficient.”
“That’s why, as an executive team, we’re going to go back, and, over time, go back and look at the employees that are employed here and do a deep dive to ensure that this never happens again,” Hipolito said. “It’s not acceptable.”
Hipolito added that the department would likely not be changing the way they administer background checks but would be more “thorough” in doing so.
“I’m confident that the individuals that are currently doing backgrounds, I’m confident that they are doing everything in their power to ensure that this doesn’t happen,” Hipolito said. “Just like you, I don’t want anybody like Officer Duran working at any law enforcement agency and definitely not at this one. So it’s our job as an executive team to ensure that … this never happens again.”
