COFFEE CITY, Texas — A potential jury trial date in October was set for Coffee City Police Chief John Jay Portillo, who is accused of tampering with government records, Monday afternoon.
Portillo is charged with six counts of tampering with government records for allegedly lying repeatedly on his Coffee City job application by failing to disclose a driving under the influence charge out of Florida and discipline he received at two previous police agencies in Harris County.
On Monday, his attorney Justin Weiner said the state and defense have not reached an agreement yet. This comes after he received the plea deal back in April and at the time, his defense needed time to consider the offer.
The judge then set a trial date for Oct. 22 in the 3rd District Court. An announcement hearing, which is used to see if the attorneys are ready, will be held the day before.
Weiner also said more evidence could come out before the October date. He added it's always best to try and resolve a case without a jury trial unless it's absolutely necessary.
"We're going to keep pushing as far as we can for John to move forward," Weiner said.
In September 2023, the Coffee City Council fired Portillo and disbanded the entire department. Indictments against former officers came after the disbandment.
A KHOU 11 Investigation last year that preceded the council's decision exposed questionable practices within the force. This includes increasing the police force to 50 officers for a town of barely 250 people with over half of those cops being previously suspended, demoted, terminated, or dishonorably discharged from their past law enforcement jobs.
Former Coffee City Mayor Frank Serrato, who was a reserve police officer, also appeared in court Monday. His case was reset as the state wants to prosecute his co-defendant first.
Three other former officers have been accused of tampering with government records charges.
In May, Christopher Witzel had his charges dismissed by a judge, according to Henderson County judicial records.
Jerrod Sieck has hearing set for July 15. Lonnie Hicks has a hearing on July 8 with a jury trial currently scheduled for July 9, records show.