Harris County Deputy Sheriff Indicted for Disclosing Confidential Information for Cash

HOUSTON—A sealed indictment accusing a Harris County sheriff’s deputy of disclosing confidential law enforcement information in exchange for money was unsealed today following the deputy’s arrest, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard C. Powers, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Ronald D. Moore, and Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

“Misuse of the authority vested in a law enforcement officer by the position of trust he holds affects us all,” said Moreno. “We—the law enforcement community and the public at large alike—stand to lose much. The indictment unsealed today evidences our continued commitment to maintain the public’s trust and the integrity of law enforcement.”

Kurt Douglas Green, 42, of Hockely, Texas, was arrested this morning without incident by investigating agents. Green is a deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) assigned to the jail located at 701 San Jacinto. He will remain in custody pending his appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in Houston today when the issue of bond is expected to be raised.

The HCSO has computers for law enforcement use which provide access to various databases including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Access to NCIC database is restricted to law enforcement officers for law enforcement purposes only. The indictment, returned on Feb. 10, 2010, and unsealed today, alleges that on Jan. 19, 2010, Green exceeded his authorized access to a law enforcement computer to obtain information from the restricted NCIC database for disclosure to a non-law enforcement person for financial gain.

“The stated core values of the Harris County Sheriff's Office include meriting and maintaining the public's trust,” said Garcia. “We are accomplishing the goals vigorously and transparently through the honest hard work of our employees, but we must be just as vigorous and transparent in the effort to root out alleged wrongdoing in our agency by an extremely small number of individuals. When these rare situations happen, it hurts us all—the honest hardworking employees who obey the rules as well as the citizens who we are obligated to serve.”

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI Houston office and the DHS-OIG with the assistance and cooperation the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James McAlister is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.