EAGLE PASS -- Johnny Ruiz, Eagle Pass Independent School District Chief of Police entered a plea of not guilty to a theft charge he faces in Eagle Pass Municipal Court on Friday.
The charge stems from Ruiz arrest after he allegedly took merchandise without paying from a local Wal-Mart store in Eagle Pass. Ruiz has stated that it was a misunderstanding and that he was not arrested. However, on the day of the incident, Ruiz was taken to the Eagle Pass Police Department and processed and given a citation for theft.
There was speculation that Ruiz would plea no contest but with his plea of not guilty, its now up to Wal-Mart and its security staff to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ruiz in fact took mechanize without paying. The court appearance has been set for February 9 before Municipal Judge Francisco Martinez.
In the meantime, Ruiz remains suspended from his position as EPISD Chief of Police pending the court's outcome.
