The former Texas state trooper who arrested Sandra Bland has forfeited his law enforcement license in exchange for having a perjury charge against him dismissed.
Brian Encinia was the only officer charged after Bland was arrested near Houston for assault following a combative exchange with Encinia. She was found dead in the Waller County jail three days later on July 13, 2015. Her death was ruled a suicide.
The ex-state trooper agreed to forfeit his peace officer license and no longer work in law enforcement. This case will also permanently remain on Encinia’s record.
Prosecutors released the following statement: “We understand that this is far from a perfect solution, and that many people will feel that this is an inadequate punishment, while others feel that charges should have never been filed. This is a solution that will guarantee that Mr. Encinia will never be a licensed law enforcement officer again.”
However, Bland’s family is unhappy with the dismissal of the charges.
The family attorney Cannon D. Lambert said, “The special prosecutor assured the family they would see the matter to trial. The family relied on that. The prosecutor didn’t even reach out to the family to notify them that they were looking to cut this deal. What was gained – him never being an officer anymore, would have been gained by a conviction. They gave up a chance to seek justice and got nothing.”
No one was charged in Sandra Bland’s death. The ‘Sandra Bland Act’ was signed into law by Texas Governor Abbott on June 15, 2017.