A Liberty police lieutenant has been suspended while an internal investigation is underway. The officer, Lt. Ramiro Lozano, is the subject of a Texas Rangers investigation involving his actions related to a recent animal cruelty arrest connected to a high-profile Kenefick case.
The City of Liberty confirmed the suspension in a statement released Monday afternoon, Oct. 6.
“As this is an active personnel matter, and out of respect for the integrity of the investigation and the rights of those involved, the City will not be providing additional details at this time,” the statement read. “The City of Liberty remains committed to transparency, accountability and due process in all matters involving our employees and departments. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
The statement comes as the Texas Rangers conduct an investigation involving Lt. Lozano and his actions related to Domingo Quintana, who was arrested Sept. 29 on an animal cruelty charge. Quintana’s arrest followed an investigation by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office into an incident at his home in Kenefick, where his wife, Jessica Quintana, was accused of attempting to drown their three children in a pond on the family’s property. At this time, she has not been charged with any crime and authorities are still investigating the allegations.
After Domingo Quintana was jailed on the animal cruelty offense, Lt. Lozano allegedly went to the jail and met with him. The reason for the meeting remains unclear. Jail staff later reported that Lozano was seen driving Quintana away from the jail following his release.
“When we found this out, we immediately presented what we were told by jail staff to the Texas Rangers,” said Capt. David Meyers, spokesperson for the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. “The Rangers, at that point and due to the fact that this involves a police officer, conducted their own investigation. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has withdrawn from that investigation due to the fact that it is a separate situation altogether than the Sept. 29 event.”
Meyers added that while the Rangers have spoken with Lozano, he does not know whether they are pursuing criminal charges or whether the matter will remain an administrative issue.
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