On Oct. 4, Frank David Maier, 34 of El Campo, was booked on charges of disorderly conduct and placed in the custody of the Wharton County Jail — a place all too familiar.
Maier served as a sergeant and K-9 Unit for the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office up until his resignation following the arrest and an incident WCSO Sheriff Shannon Srubar explained in a press release.
“On Sunday, Oct. 03, 2021, at approximately 2349 hours, the [WCSO] Patrol Division responded to a welfare concern, just north of El Campo, TX, after receiving a call from a concerned citizen regarding gun shots being fired in the area,” Srubar said.
Maier was alleged to be intoxicated and acting belligerent toward deputies and assisting El Campo Police Department officers.
“Deputies learned that Maier had been involved in a verbal disturbance with a female acquaintance. It was determined that Maier had used landscaping bricks to damage the acquaintance’s vehicle,” Srubar said.
The driver’s side window appeared to be shattered, and the driver’s side door was dented.
Even though the acquaintance declined to file charges against Maier, deputies determined that Maier had committed the offense of Disorderly Conduct, and placed him under arrest.
Maier was released on a Personal Recognizance Bond for the amount $500 on the same date.
Srubar said Maier was immediately relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
However, the sergeant resigned on Tuesday, Oct. 5 before the investigation concluded.
Maier was initially sworn into duty by former WCSO Sheriff Jess Howell on Aug. 15, 2016.
Upon an open records request, The County Gin found Maier had no disciplinary write-ups, and his file contained a sole employment evaluation where he received a good rating from his peers.
Maier was the sole K-9 Unit handler for the office, but no matter the position or the need for a particular unit, Srubar said, “The Wharton County Sheriff’s Office in no way condones this type of behavior.”
