Chief: Houston police officer who 'penetrated' U.S. Capitol has resigned
HOUSTON - Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says an HPD officer was among those who stormed the U.S. Capitol last week.
The police chief says he received information on Sunday that one of his officers may have been involved, and he immediately contacted the FBI. They launched a joint investigation.
The officer tendered his resignation on Thursday morning, Chief Acevedo said.
A source tells FOX 26 that Tam Dinh Pham was the officer involved.
Chief Acevedo announced on Wednesday that an HPD officer was found to have attended a rally on his own time, which the chief said is "their First Amendment right". However, Chief Acevedo added, it was also determined that the officer actually "penetrated" the Capitol.
On Wednesday, Pham was relieved of duty and was served with a 48-hour notice for a hearing with the chief of police.
"Keep in mind, everyone has a First Amendment right to engage in First Amendment activity, but I wanted to make sure they didn’t pass beyond that and do something unlawful," Chief Acevedo says. "And I can tell you that there is a high probability this individual will be charged with federal charges and rightfully so."
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Chief Acevedo says Pham has about 18 years in the department and no history of discipline.
"So far we believe he traveled alone, but the investigation is ongoing with the FBI and with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and with our own Internal Affairs investigators," Chief Acevedo said.