HOUSTON, Texas – Shortly after former Houston Police Department narcotics officer Gerald Goines was handed his 60-year prison sentence, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg sent out a powerful message aimed at the other officers tied to the deadly 2019 Harding Street raid.
The raid, which left Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas dead, was based on false information Goines provided.
Prosecutors made it clear during Goines’ trial that other officers were unaware that the raid was built on lies. However, Ogg says she plans to go after members of Goines’ team with “organized crime” charges, tied to an alleged overtime fraud scheme.
“People want to believe in the police. That is who we are trained to trust from the time we are little,” Ogg said. “So imagine the damage done to the communities in Houston that suffered under Squad 15 and under Gerald Goines for the last twenty years.”
Just minutes after Goines was sentenced, Ogg announced her intentions to continue investigating 10 other members of Squad 15, despite their previous indictments being dismissed by a judge.
“Their indictments remain quashed, but those investigations remain open on the other ten members of Squad 15,” Ogg said. “I hope they hear me.”
Ogg’s office is currently rewriting the dismissed indictments in the wake of Goines’ guilty verdict. She’s determined to have these cases presented to a new grand jury, even as her tenure comes to an end.
“All that was wrong, according to the judge, was a failure to notify them. We’ve rewritten the pleadings,” Ogg explained. “It seems ridiculous after five-and-a-half years for lawyers to say they don’t understand the charges against them, but we respect the law. We’ll go back before another grand jury.”
Although her time in office is nearing an end, Ogg made it clear she plans to see this investigation through.
“It will be during my term,” she insisted. “Whatever the incoming DA determines to do with this case, they will have to answer to the community.”
Ogg also warned that if the new district attorney doesn’t continue the investigation, they would be failing the people of Harris County.
According to sources, the new indictments could be presented to a grand jury as early as next Tuesday.
KPRC 2 Investigates did reach out to the Houston Police Officers Union Friday morning. At the time they did not officially want to weigh-in on the record, but the union has since told KPRC 2 Investigates they are awaiting further developments.
Full coverage of the Goines’ murder trial:
Day 10: Prosecution and defense rest in Harding Street murder trial
Day 9: Defense begins presenting case in Gerald Goines murder trial
Day 8: Autopsy photos shown in Goines trial for deadly Harding St. raid
Day 7: Jurors hear from Texas Ranger who investigated deadly Harding St. raid
Day 6: HPD detective says no evidence Gerald Goines fired firearm during deadly Harding St. raid
Day 5: Defense questions thoroughness of Harding St. home search after deadly raid
Day 4: Gerald Goines’ former HPD partner, Steven Bryant, drops bombshell during emotional testimony
Day 2 of Gerald Goines murder trial: State drilling down on initial 911 call that got things going
Day 1: Ex-HPD narcotics officer’s lies led to deadly Harding Street raid, prosecutors argue
