Daniel Borunda

El Paso Times

A former Anthony, Texas, police officer was arrested on criminal allegations that he misused money while president of a local police association and a veterans group.

Michael Saavedra, 36, was arrested Wednesday evening by the Texas Rangers on charges that he misused funds while he was president of the Anthony Police Department Officers Association, the Texas Department of Public Safety news release stated.

On Aug. 15, the Texas Rangers had initially arrested Saavedra on similar allegations linked to Saavedra’s time as president of an American Legion chapter, the DPS said.

Saavedra faces two felony counts of misapplication of fiduciary property of a financial institution.

Saavedra is no longer president of either organization.

Details have not been released on how much money was involved and how it was allegedly misapplied.

“It’s still an ongoing investigation,” said Sgt. Moises Vasquez, a spokesman for the DPS in El Paso.

Anthony Police Chief Carlos Enriquez said that Saavedra had the rank of corporal and had been with the Anthony Police Department for about six years.

Enriquez said that Saavedra’s arrests came as a surprise.

“When he was here, he was a very active member of the Police Department and we had no issues with him,” Enriquez said.

The police association is separate from the Police Department and the DPS stated that the charges were not linked to the Anthony Police Department.

Saavedra had been on unpaid administrative leave while under investigation and resigned a few weeks ago after his first arrest, Enriquez said.

El Paso County Jail records show that Saavedra was released from jail the same day as his first arrest on a $50,000 bond.

Saavedra was released Thursday on a $100,000 bond after his second arrest Wednesday.

The Texas Rangers is a criminal investigation division of the Texas Department of Public Safety that handles major crimes, including public corruption and public integrity investigations.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.