MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Concerns over evidence handling have emerged in Missouri City, where police are being investigated for destroying crucial evidence without a court mandate, affecting around 100 cases.
The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the discovery was made in January when they requested evidence and received a letter indicating its destruction. This led to an investigation into the matter.
The incident traces back to Oct. 30, 2024, when a water leak occurred in the MCPD Evidence Room, resulting in damage to evidence. The affected items, which belong to both active and disposed cases, including felony cases, were subsequently destroyed. While the total number of evidence items is unknown, the destruction impacts approximately 100 cases.
The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office is examining the situation from two angles: the potential for criminal charges related to tampering with evidence and the obligation to disclose any damaged or destroyed evidence to the defense. This includes reviewing past cases to assess any further impact.
Despite the gravity of the situation, MCPD is reportedly cooperating with the investigation. However, the department’s Public Information Officer declined to acknowledge the investigation publicly, stating only that the request for information would be escalated internally.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office said they are not involved with any such investigation.
The District Attorney’s Office has provided information over the phone but declined to speak on camera. Officials emphasize that it is “too early to know the full impact” of the evidence destruction.
