The City of Ropesville Police Chief, Ashley Everett Ramirez, 40, was arrested Friday afternoon and booked into the Hockley County Jail.
Ramirez was arrested by an investigator with the Hockley County District Attorney’s office and charged with abuse of office – a state jail felony – and three counts of tampering with evidence – which are 3rd degree felonies.
According to an affidavit in the arrest warrant Ramirez took two shotguns and one rifle to a Lubbock pawn shop and traded them for a handgun. But according to the official records the three guns he traded in were supposed to be held as evidence.
The pawn shop trade was done in February. According to District Attorney Chris Dennis, there was no court order allowing the trade. There was also no City Council authorization.
Ramirez had previously given notice of his resignation and Friday was his last day on the job. After he gave his notice, the city did an audit and found three city-owned handguns were missing. All three were Glocks according to Dennis.
The sheriff’s department said the arrest was a “complete shock” and the sheriff was not told about it in advance.
Ropesville City Hall chose not to comment.
Ramirez was held on bonds totaling $120,000.
