Body Camera Footage Shows Live Oak Officer Made False Claims About Business Owner Prior to Arrest

Body camera footage has revealed that a Live Oak police officer made false statements about a business owner several months before that same owner was arrested, raising questions about the nature of their interactions and the circumstances surrounding the eventual arrest.

The incident, which took place in the small city of Live Oak, Texas, involves a local business owner and a police officer whose body camera recorded what appears to be misleading statements during an official interaction. The footage, obtained through public records requests by KSAT, the San Antonio-based news station, contradicts official accounts previously provided by the police department.

According to the recordings, the officer claimed the business owner had engaged in behavior that was not supported by the visual evidence captured by the body camera. These discrepancies emerged months before the same business owner was taken into custody on charges that some community members now question.

The business in question operates in Live Oak’s commercial district, a growing area in the northeastern San Antonio metropolitan region. Local business associations have expressed concern about the potential impact on community-police relations, which had been improving in recent years through various outreach programs.

“Trust between law enforcement and business owners is essential for a thriving commercial environment,” said Maria Gonzalez, president of the Live Oak Chamber of Commerce, who declined to comment specifically on the case but spoke about general principles. “Any situation that undermines that trust needs to be examined thoroughly.”

The body camera footage shows an interaction that took place during a routine business check, where the officer can be heard making specific claims about the business owner’s conduct and compliance with local ordinances. However, the visual evidence appears to contradict several key assertions made in the official report filed afterward.

Legal experts who have reviewed the footage at KSAT’s request note that such discrepancies could have significant implications if the case proceeds to court. “Body camera evidence that contradicts an officer’s written or verbal statements creates serious questions about the reliability of the entire case,” explained criminal defense attorney James Whitman, who is not involved in this specific situation but has handled similar cases.

The Live Oak Police Department has declined to comment specifically on the footage, citing an ongoing internal investigation. A department spokesperson stated that they “take all allegations seriously and are committed to transparency in our operations,” adding that “appropriate action will be taken if misconduct is found.”

The business owner, who was arrested approximately three months after the recorded interaction, faces multiple charges related to alleged code violations and obstruction of police duties. Through their attorney, they have maintained innocence and suggested the arrest was related to previous tensions with the officer in question.

Community activists have pointed to this case as an example of why body camera programs are essential for accountability. “This is exactly why we advocated for body cameras in the first place,” said Robert Jenkins of the San Antonio Community Justice Coalition. “They protect both citizens and officers by providing an objective record of interactions.”

The timing between the recorded false claims and the subsequent arrest has raised particular concerns about potential targeting or harassment. Similar cases across Texas have led to policy changes in police departments regarding business compliance checks and the review of body camera footage before filing charges.

The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, which would ultimately handle prosecution if the case moves forward, has not yet made public statements about whether they have reviewed the footage or how it might affect their handling of the charges.

City officials in Live Oak have promised a thorough review of the incident and related policies. Mayor Sarah Thompson issued a statement emphasizing that “our city values its business community and fair enforcement of laws. We are committed to ensuring justice and appropriate conduct by all city employees.”

As the internal investigation continues, the case highlights the complex relationship between law enforcement and business owners, as well as the increasingly important role of body camera evidence in providing accountability and factual clarity in disputed interactions.