FBI, Texas Rangers raid San Antonio offices of controversial constable

Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela speaks to members of the media as FBI and Texas Rangers raid her office Monday, Sept. 23. , Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela speaks to members of the media as FBI and Texas Rangers raid her office Monday, Sept. 23. , Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close FBI, Texas Rangers raid San Antonio offices of controversial constable 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Authorities searched the home and offices of Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela Monday morning.

The raid by the FBI and Texas Rangers was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of irregularities of the constable, sources said.

“The FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety are on scene executing a search warrant,” FBI special agent Michelle Lee said at the time. “It’s a joint investigation by Texas Rangers and the FBI. To ensure the integrity of the investigation, that’s all the information I can provide.”

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The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the search of Vela’s offices.

The morning searches by Texas Rangers and FBI agents were the latest public troubles for Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela, who has been involved in several scandals and has clashed with other public officials, including District Attorney Joe Gonzales, Sheriff Javier Salazar and County Judge Nelson Wolff.

Visit ExpressNews.com to read about Vela's response to the raids.

Guillermo Contreras covers federal courts in San Antonio and international legal issues. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland