Harris Co. deputy accused of misuse of information arrested

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy has been arrested and is now facing charges for misuse of information.

Deputy Jose J. Ramirez, 25, is charged with Misuse of Official Information, a felony offense.

Ramirez is accused of conducting random license plate checks of vehicles that frequently the Airport Game Room, a business managed by his common-law wife.

It's alleged Ramirez was running the checks to provide his wife information on whether or not people visiting the game room were undercover officers.

"The Harris County Sheriff's Office stands firm in the belief that all employees' actions will be held to the highest level and when found to violate policy, procedures, or laws and will be dealt with swiftly, professionally, and justly," said Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman.

Deputy Ramirez was a two-and-a-half year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He had been suspended from duty without pay since the investigation began.

Eyewitness News spoke with former customers of the game room. They were shocked to hear the owner's common-law husband was a deputy.

"That's so wrong on many levels. There used to be a lot of people here. There were like 10 machines here and here -- OK every wall," said Lawrence Robinson.

Ramirez has been suspended from duty without pay as the investigation continues.

Bail is set at $5,000.