Grant writer Ignacio “Nacho” Saucedo was able to acquire a $20,000 grant, for which the county had to match 25 percent, that purchased 12 body cameras for deputies, as well as a digital storage system for the video recordings, back in March.

 Deputies had to go through a training, policy books, and become certified to use the devices that they attach to their chests and simply click to activate. The cameras are then returned to the charger which automatically sends the video to the server where, depending on the severity of the case, can be stored for up to ten years.

Schmerber said previously that the cameras will be helpful for more than just the Sheriff’s Department.

  “Sometimes I get people who come into the office and have their version of things. This way it’ll be on the video. In cases that go to the district attorney, we can turn over the video to them, and it’s going to help with cases for County Judge Saucedo, and the JPs, so it’s going to be very effective,” said Schmerber.

Sheriff Schmerber also gave updates on two investigations.

Schmerber said he was informed that Victor Perez, the man involved in a recent domestic violence incident who then left speeding, causing his vehicle to roll over and eject him, has woken up from his coma. 

“He’s still over there in the hospital, but he’s not in a coma anymore,” said Schmerber.

The second update was on a student at LDC who was reported to the sheriff’s department on Wednesday, May 3, after his teacher noticed he had bruises all over his body has been found to have an illness that causes him to bruise easily.

“Any little thing will create a bruise. He goes out to play with his siblings and it causes those bruises when they’re playing, but we haven’t found any kind of mistreatment by the parents,” said Schmerber.