Deputy Fired over Twin Peaks Photo

The Williamson County District Attorney's office has decided not to file criminal charges against several Midland Sheriff Deputies who took a picture of a Twin Peaks waitress holding an assault rifle.

"Their were four deputies taking pictures, some with cell phones one with a patrol issued camera (that is the reason the picture is subject to open records) and one Deputy stayed in the restaurant," said Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter. "The Deputy that stayed in the restaurant received a letter of reprimand, three (including the one that took the picture) received three days off without pay each and the Deputy that handed the rifle to the waitress had his employment terminated."
 

According to the incident report, Round Rock Police arrived at the Twin Peaks restaurant on August 10th after receiving a report that some guys were taking a weapon out of a trunk of a vehicle in full view of the public.  The subjects, were off-duty Midland Sheriff Deputies, who were in town for some tactical training. They were observed taking an AR-15 assault rifle out of their vehicle, giving it to a waitress from Twin Peaks and taking photos of her holding the weapon as she sat on the hold of their vehicles.

The Midland deputies didn't deny giving the waitress the weapon, but didn't acknowledge which of them were responsible for actually handing her the rifle.  Prior to apprehending the camera and rifle for evidence, the supervisors of each individual was contacted and informed of the situation.

Once the investigation was documented and all information obtained from the Midland County Deputies, they were released at the scene.

On August 17, the Williamson County District Attorney`s office contacted the Round Rock Police Department to advise them that no criminal charges would be filed. The case was then turned over to internal affairs division with the Midland Sheriff's Office.