A Texas sergeant has been arrested and charged with two counts of official oppression after a teenage Starbucks employee reported he used his badge to harass and unlawfully detain her.
The department says 41-year-old Sgt. Ostin Urbina was arrested by Harris County Precinct 7 commanders. Following his arrest, he was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave, pending an internal investigation.
On August 24, 2023, Urbina went into a Starbucks where he regularly ordered from. While there, Urbina struck up a conversation with a 17-year-old barista. During their encounter, Urbina asked the girl for her name and told her he would look her up "in the police system."
After her shift, she found him parked beside her car and mentioned her home address, which he allegedly obtained by running license plates in the lot until he found hers, according to reports. Investigators say surveillance video and state DPS records support her account.
She also reported two encounters on the road, a week apart. In the first, she says he pulled her over with lights and sirens, asked for her Snapchat, and remarked, "Just remember, you turn 18 in three weeks."
In the second, she asked why his body camera was off; he allegedly replied it wasn't necessary because he was "just trying to talk." Officials say the conduct occurred in uniform and in a marked patrol car.
Houston Police opened an investigation on Sept. 1, 2023. Urbina made bond of $100 on each count and denies the allegations against him. The constable's office says it is fully cooperating and reiterates the presumption of innocence.