Former HPD officer indicted after allegedly placing GPS tracker on suspect's truck without warrant

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A former Houston police officer accused of placing a GPS tracking device on a suspect's truck without a warrant has been indicted by a Harris County grand jury.

Juan "JJ" Gonzalez was indicted Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of official oppression.

Under Texas law, official oppression occurs when a public servant uses their job to intentionally mistreat or harass someone. Court records show a warrant has been issued for Gonzalez's arrest.

The indictment marks the first known criminal charge against a Houston police officer for an on-duty incident since the fallout from the Harding Street raid investigation.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Sept. 22, 2025, at a northwest Houston apartment complex. According to a search warrant affidavit, two brothers who were under FBI investigation recorded video that investigators believe captured Gonzalez placing a GPS tracking device on a white pickup truck. The video, which was provided to the FBI Gang Task Force, allegedly shows Gonzalez approaching the truck and crouching near the right rear wheel well, moments before "a loud snapping sound" can be heard. The truck's owner reported finding a tracking device attached to the vehicle. Investigators determined the officer and his supervisor did not have a warrant authorizing the tracking device, according to court records.

Criminal defense attorney U.A. Lewis, who is not connected to the case, said officers are well aware of the legal requirements surrounding vehicle tracking.

"They know better than anybody that they can't do that. That is what their training is for," Lewis told ABC13 last month.

The affidavit states that Gonzalez and his supervisor initially denied involvement. Gonzalez later submitted a written statement admitting to "placing a personally owned tracking device" on the suspect's vehicle without his consent or a tracking order.

According to the affidavit, Gonzalez claimed the device was intended as an "investigative ploy." The investigation also resulted in disciplinary action against Gonzalez's supervisor, Sgt. Peter Vu, who served a 15-day suspension without pay, according to personnel records obtained by ABC13.

The punishment came about the same time that Gonzalez "respectfully" tendered his resignation from HPD, as he wrote in a letter to Chief Noe Diaz dated April 16th. Official oppression is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail if convicted. Gonzalez's attorney, Timothy Adams, has not responded to multiple requests for comment.