Harris County Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Ed Gonzalez arrested again for allegedly violating a protection order – Houston Public Media

Harris County Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Ed Gonzalez was arrested again last Friday after allegedly violating a restraining order, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested earlier this month for allegedly attacking his teenage son during an altercation last year.

Jason Spencer, 50, is accused of shoving his son against a bedroom wall on the night of Sept. 15, 2023, then causing him to fall down the stairs by throwing a plastic gun case at his back, according to Harris County court records. The boy, who was 14 at the time, suffered bruises and scratches on his face, arm and back, court records say.

Spencer was arrested earlier this month and charged with assault on a child. He was later released from jail on $2,500 bail, court records show. As part of his bail conditions, he signed a restraining order prohibiting him from “going to or approaching his son’s residence.” The order also prohibited Spencer from communicating with his son or any member of the household “except through the individual’s attorney or a person appointed by the court.”

However, Montgomery County Sheriff’s officials found Spencer in his car parked outside his son’s home last Friday. He was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail for violating bail conditions.

A few days later, during a court hearing on Wednesday, Judge Melissa Morris revoked the original protective order due to a “clerical error,” according to attorney Murray Newman. The judge did not intend the order to impose a “blanket ban on him from having contact with his children.”

The judge’s recusal would allow Spencer to see his children, but Newman said they must first review additional bail conditions following Spencer’s arrest in Montgomery County, which could potentially result in further restrictions.

Newman remains confident that they can overcome the additional hurdles.

“It will obviously require some discussions with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to see if they agree with our interpretation of the law,” Newman said. “In the interest of justice, we hope they will come to the same conclusion.”

A spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said they were aware of Spencer’s recent arrest. He was placed on administrative leave after his first arrest earlier this month, but now he is being “relieved of duty and an internal investigation is underway,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The results of the investigation will help determine possible policy violations and/or disciplinary actions,” the statement said.