Authorities have arrested a Texas Sheriff Robert Chody, who starred in the A&E television series Live PD on Monday after he allegedly tampered with evidence in a 2019 case. The evidence related to the case of Javier Ambler, an African American man who died while in police custody.
William County Sheriff Chody, along with former general counsel Jason Nassour, were charged with allegedly destroying evidence. They were released on a $10,000 bond. Both lawmen are facing between two and ten years, if convicted, for destroying the audio and video footage of the fatal arrest of Ambler that occurred March 28, 2019.
Ambler’s death occurred after a 22-minutes car chase following his refusal to pull over for police due to failing to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic. The pursuit began around 1:30 a.m. and ended as the vehicles reached Austin, Texas. Ambler’s arrest was documented by a Live PD camera crew, with the footage later being damaged, where the arresting officers are shown restraining and subduing Ambler. The video, as well as later reports by the District Attorney’s office, verify that Ambler was tased a total of four times, with one of the deputies at one point commanding him to, “Give me your hands or I’m going to tase you again.” This interaction occurred while Ambler was being pinned to the ground and trying to inform the officers, “I have congestive heart failure” and “I can’t breathe.”
Ambler later died due to heart failure. His death later was ruled as a homicide in a report.
Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore accused the William County Sheriff Department of stonewalling her initial investigation into the death and criticized the traffic stop gone wrong in a series of since-deleted tweets. The latest investigation now being headed by Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick.
Sheriff Chody has since told the media that he believes that the charges made against him were politically motivated. “We’re here because it’s a month before the election, my election,” he said. “I find it shocking and disgusting that our district attorney uses his office for his political agenda.”
A&E has since canceled Live PD due to the controversy as well as the protests inspired by the death of George Floyd, leading to a 49% decline in viewership.
