The Wichita Falls Police Department said in a media release Tuesday evening that it had obtained an arrest warrant for a former detective in its ranks.
The name of the detective appears to be redacted in the top portion of the emailed media release while referring to him as “Robeson” deeper into it.
Salary figures obtained by the Times Record News through an open records request in 2024 lists one Robeson —Joseph — in the WFPD earning $83,939.
Anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless convicted beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Robeson did not appear on the rosters of the Wichita County Jail or jails in surrounding counties early Wednesday, and no affidavits were on file in the Wichita County Courthouse.
WFPD obtained an arrest warrant for a former detective following an internal review and criminal investigation into affidavits the former detective used to obtain warrants in a vehicle burglary investigation, the media release said.
According to a portion of the media release outlining the allegations: “In March 2026, the accused conducted an interview related to a vehicle burglary case and subsequently submitted multiple sworn affidavits to the Wichita Falls Justice of the Peace. Those affidavits resulted in the issuance of arrest warrants for an individual named by the Detective.
“During a supervisory review, department personnel identified concerns regarding the accuracy of information contained in the affidavits. The department immediately moved to dismiss the warrants with inaccurate information and initiated two separate investigations: an administrative review by the Office of Professional Conduct and a criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigations Section.
“The criminal investigation determined there was probable cause to believe that Robeson knowingly submitted affidavits containing false information to a magistrate. As a result of that investigation, Robeson has been charged with two counts of Tampering with a Governmental Record, a felony, and two counts of Perjury, a misdemeanor.”
In Texas, tampering with a governmental record is a third-degree felony with punishment of 2 to 10 years in prison if convicted. Misdemeanor perjury is punishable by a year in county jail if convicted.
Robeson resigned as the investigation began, the media release said.
In an April 30 post on his Facebook page, Robeson said, “Retired today. It was an Honor to serve the community of Wichita Falls. JoJo the PoPo, Out!”
Tuesday’s media release included a statement by interim WFPD Chief Mitch Bates.
“We are shocked by the actions of a former member of this department. The integrity of the criminal justice process depends on the accuracy and truthfulness of information presented to the courts,” Bates said.
“When concerns were identified by members of our Department, we acted immediately to dismiss the warrants Robeson obtained, initiated an internal investigation led by our talented team, and followed the fact,” the interim chief said.
Bates was brought in as interim chief following the abrupt retirement of longtime police Chief Manuel Borrego on Feb. 20 in the wake of a controversial arrest that resulted in the firing and indictment of one WFPD officer and the resignation of another.
According to Times Record News articles, Joseph Robeson made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in the race for Wichita County Precinct 1, Place 1 justice of the peace in 2019.
According to a media release distributed in that campaign, Robeson served 10 years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger and earned two Purple Heart Medals and a Bronze Star with valor.
“Because this is an active criminal matter, no additional information will be released at this time,” the WFPD post said.
As of Wednesday morning, posts on the city of Wichita Falls and the WFPD’s Facebook pages about the allegations against the former detective did not include Robeson’s name. His name was, however, in the emailed media release sent at 5:29 p.m. Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Former Wichita Falls detective who ran for office faces felony charges
Reporting by Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News | USA TODAY Network
