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Former Travis County Detective’s Misconduct Raises Concerns Over Hundreds of cases
Austin, Texas – A six-year pattern of alleged misconduct by a former Travis County Sheriff’s Office detective is prompting scrutiny of hundreds of criminal cases and sparking debate over accountability within the department. The revelations, uncovered through an internal investigation, have raised concerns about potential violations of residents’ constitutional rights.
Details of the Allegations
The investigation centered on Tyler Akin, a former deputy who was recently promoted to detective but had not yet assumed the role. According to an internal memo, Akin failed to document approximately 70% of his traffic stops between 2019 and 2025. This omission constitutes a serious breach of department policy and raises questions about the integrity of his work.
The issue came to light following an Internal affairs investigation triggered by an unrelated incident. Attorneys were alerted to the findings via an email from the Travis County District Attorney’s Office detailing the investigation’s results, as detailed in a July 22 disciplinary memo.
“The sheer scope of the missing documentation is deeply troubling,” stated mark Sampson, a prominent criminal defense attorney. “This could have important ramifications for both ongoing and previously closed cases that involved Akin.”
A troubling Incident in November 2023
Specifically, investigators reviewed body-worn camera footage from a November 22, 2023 traffic stop where Akin assisted Senior Deputy Benjamin Carbajal. During the stop, officers allegedly discovered pills, drug paraphernalia, and identification documents that did not belong to the vehicle’s occupants. However, neither officer logged these items as evidence, and the initial report submitted by Carbajal indicated no contraband was found. The bodycam footage revealed that Akin actually took posession of these items.
sampson expressed a stark assessment of the situation. “It appears as though Akin was possibly seizing property from individuals during traffic stops,” he stated.”Such behavior is unprecedented in Travis County.”
Calls for Comprehensive Review
In response to the allegations, legal professionals and civil rights advocates are urging Sheriff Sally Hernandez to initiate a comprehensive review of the Sheriff’s Office’s policies and procedures. They fear that Akin’s actions might potentially be indicative of a broader pattern of misconduct within the department.
“A thorough audit is absolutely necessary,” Sampson emphasized. “We need to determine if other officers have engaged in similar practices and ensure that such issues are not continuing undetected.”
While Sheriff Hernandez acknowledged her “deep concern” over the findings in a public statement, she has not yet committed to a full-scale review. A Sheriff’s Office spokesperson indicated that no prior complaints had been filed against Akin predating 2019 and that, since Akin is no longer employed by the department, further investigation is unwarranted.
However, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office has announced that it will refer the case to an outside agency for self-reliant review.
Key Facts at a glance
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Detective Involved | Tyler Akin |
| Period of Alleged Misconduct | 2019 – 2025 |
| Primary Violation | Failure to document approximately 70% of traffic stops |
| Trigger for Investigation | Allegations related to a November 2023 traffic stop |
Did You Know? According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, recent changes in state law now require law enforcement agencies to complete internal misconduct investigations even after an officer’s resignation.
Pro Tip: Understanding your rights during a traffic stop is crucial. Resources like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) offer valuable information on appropriate conduct for both citizens and law enforcement.
