LIBERTY COUNTY, TX- On December 28, Officer Rodriguez with the Cleveland Police Department responded to a one-vehicle accident in the 600 block of East Houston Street. Dispatch said witnesses on the scene told call-takers the driver, Victor Manuel Hernandez Gomez, appeared to be intoxicated after crashing his 2023 Ford F150 with Florida plates.
CPD Officer Scott arrived prior to Officer Rodriguez, and Officer Scott detained Gomez. While Officer Scott was attempting to place Gomez in the back of his patrol unit Officer Rodriguez arrived and saw Gomez physically kicking and struggling with Officer Scott. Gomez kicked Officer Scott in the upper chest area near his throat. Gomez was subdued and secured in the back of the patrol unit.
Gomez admitted he’d been at a local restaurant and had two “beer-margaritas”. Gomez told officers someone else was driving the car before it went into the ditch. Gomez said he didn’t know the name of the other person, who was driving, nor could he give a description of the alleged driver, now curiously missing from the immediate area.
Witnesses told Officers Gomez was the driver, and the sole occupant of the F-150. Gomez then became very hostile and very combative using his legs to kick the inside of the patrol unit. Officer Scott transported Gomez to the Cleveland PD Jail.
Upon arriving at the jail, Gomez became even more agitated, and when being placed in the jail cell he spat in Officer Scott’s face.
Officers Rodriguez later removed Gomez from the jail cell, thinking he had calmed down and would cooperate with the book-in process. However, Gomez suddenly became upset and became aggressive again. Gomez attempted to spit at Officer Rodriguez, but she placed her hand over his mouth. Gomez was placed back in jail cell to be booked-in later.
Victor Manuel Hernandez Gomez, 26, of Cleveland is charged with third-degree felony Assault on Public Servant and third-degree felony Harassment of a Public Servant. Cleveland Municipal Judge Ralph Fuller set Gomez’s bond at $25,000 on each charge; totaling $50,000. Gomez was released on bond the following day.
