Dem congressional candidate's police record reveals suspensions over stolen gun, insubordination

Johnny Garcia, a candidate for Congress in Texas’ newly redrawn 35th District, faced a pair of suspensions for "job performance," "insubordination" and "conduct or action that would seriously impair job effectiveness" during his time with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, records show.

In the first suspension in 2009, Garcia brought a cellular device into a secure area against repeated instruction.

The second, in 2020, arose when Garcia left a firearm in an unsecured location, where it was later stolen.

In both cases, Garcia was suspended without pay.

The suspensions, discovered through a public records request, put new scrutiny on a law enforcement career that Garcia has made a central part of his campaign as he wages a race against Republican candidate Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran.

The race, set to fill the seat being vacated by Rep.

Greg Casar, D-Texas, is expected to be significantly more competitive in the upcoming midterms than in years past.

FOX NEWS POLL: IT’S A LONE STAR SENATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TALARICO AND PAXTON The first suspension came in 2009 when Garcia carried his cell phone into a secured jail area, something he had been told repeatedly not to do.

"You have been instructed multiple times not to bring cellular phones or electronic equipment into the secured area and that doing so is a violation of policy.

You stated you had been informed several times during Roll Call that cellular phones are not permitted in the secured area," a notice of suspension reads.

"You are hereby notified that the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department is suspending you without pay for a total of three days… for insubordination [and] conduct or action that would seriously impair job effectiveness." The second suspension, according to the disciplinary record, came in 2020 when Garcia left his Glock firearm, four magazines and his badge in his car — items that were later stolen.

"Your equipment was not properly secured and was kept temporarily in your vehicle against Bexar County Sheriff’s policy.

This negligent behavior has seriously impaired your job effectiveness and is a clear violation of the policies and procedures of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office," a report read.

Garcia received a five-day suspension without pay, for "job performance," according to the county's records.