Harris County sheriff's officials say a deputy has been fired for stealing money he was supposed to have confiscated and held as evidence.
Jason Henry Hayes was fired Thursday and is charged with theft by a public servant and tampering with evidence.
The 33-year-old Hayes began working as a Harris County deputy in 2004, and was most recently assigned to a game room task force.
Authorities say an internal affairs investigation began following allegations that Hayes took money during a February raid on an illegal game room. Officials did not say how much money was taken.
Carson Joachim, an attorney for the Harris County Deputies' Organization, says the allegations announced Friday must still be reviewed. But he says Hayes is entitled to the same legal protections afforded any citizen.
