Houston city employee charged with destroying evidence in criminal case against his brother, documents say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – A Houston City Health Department employee has been arrested and charged for allegedly destroying evidence related to the criminal investigation of a member of her family.

Venesa Salazar, 36, was booked into the Harris County Jail and immediately posted $5,000 bail on Saturday for attempted tampering with evidence.

A motion filed in the case states: “She suspended service to delete evidence or ‘lock’ cell phones/telephones related to a criminal investigation by the Houston Police Department and other law enforcement agencies into aggravated robbery and residential burglary.”

The alleged crimes were discovered through a call from her brother Moises Salazar from prison to the 36-year-old.

The authorities do not want to reveal further details about the case.

Moises Salazar is currently being held without bail on suspicion of three counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Court records list him as a documented gang member.

The Houston Health Department confirmed that Venesa Salazar works as a public health specialist in the agency’s HIV and STD division. She has been with the agency for nearly eight years.

In a statement, the agency said: “We are aware of the recent arrest of a Houston Health Department employee and are closely monitoring the ongoing investigation. We will not take any immediate action until the investigation is complete and all facts are known.”

Venesa Salazar appeared in court Tuesday but did not speak to ABC13 reporter Mycah Hatfield.

Her lawyer and the prosecutor also declined to comment.

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