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Charges Dropped Against Sandra Bland’s Arresting Officer
The only officer ever charged in the case of Sanda Bland’s death got his single “perjury” charge dropped this week. According to NBC news, prosecutors have dropped the charge against the Texas state trooper in exchange for his badge. Brian Encinia, the ex-trooper agreed to surrender his peace officer license and not work in law enforcement, according to special prosecutors Pheobe Smith and Chad Dick. The case must also permanently remain on his record.
Prosecutors said Encinia had lied in a sworn affidavit when he wrote that Bland had been “combative and uncooperative” after he stopped her on the outskirts of Houston. He also said he removed her from her car to conduct a safer traffic investigation. Encinia was the only official to be charged criminally in the Bland case.
Prosecutors said in a statement:
“We understand that this is far from a perfect solution, and that many people will feel that this is an inadequate punishment, while others feel that charges should have never been filed, this is a solution that will guarantee that Mr. Encinia will never be a licensed law enforcement officer again.”
