2 open carry activists accused of interfering with SAPD investigation downtown

Jesus Padilla, 27, faces a charge of interference with public duties. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $3,000 bond. Jesus Padilla, 27, faces a charge of interference with public duties. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $3,000 bond. Photo: Bexar County Jail Photo: Bexar County Jail Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close 2 open carry activists accused of interfering with SAPD investigation downtown 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Two open carry activists are facing charges after they interfered with a police investigation in downtown San Antonio last month, according to court records.

Jesus Padilla, 27, and Jack Miller, 45, were charged with interfering with public duties. Padilla was arrested Sunday and booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $3,000 bond. It is unclear if Miller has been arrested.

Neither Padilla nor Miller immediately responded to requests for comment.

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In an arrest affidavit, police say the men were all "working together in an attempt to provoke the officers (sic) to fight, using offensive words and gestures and aggressive approaches to confront the officer."

The affidavit notes Padilla and Miller are known to San Antonio police from previous encounters. In this most recent case, police said their actions may have caused officers to lose a potential witness statement and suspect information relating to an unresponsive person in the street.

According to court records, San Antonio police officers were tending to the unresponsive person lying in the 500 block of East Houston on April 28 when Padilla, Miller and another man arrived on scene.

Padilla and Miller were both armed at the time, according to the affidavit.

"Although [Padilla] is allowed to carry a weapon under open carry, this was distracting for Officer Ramos, as he now is paying attention to a potential threat," reads Padilla's arrest affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Miller approached the same police officer in an aggressive manner, which police say was an apparent "intentional attempt to antagonize the officer."

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A video of the incident provided to mySA.com by Padilla shows Miller and another unidentified man speaking with the police officer, who asks them to step back.

Another police officer, identified as Officer Dech in the affidavit, then also asks the men to back up, as the officers need to secure the crime scene.

Then, with no visible provocation, Officer Ramos tackles the unidentified man with Miller to the ground and arrests him.

Padilla starts yelling obscenities at the officer, and Miller raises his hands and backs off.

The unresponsive victim police were trying to tend to remains in a coma and is expected to undergo surgery, police said.

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Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns