Tyler, Texas—Another shocking example of soft-on-crime justice has emerged from the Lone Star State. Former Smith County Chief Deputy Constable LaQuenda Banks, who admitted to abusing her position during a 2021 eviction incident, received only 18 months probation after pleading guilty to official oppression. Adding insult to injury, a felony theft charge against her was dismissed as part of a plea deal.
This outcome not only undermines the rule of law but sends a dangerous message about accountability for those entrusted with public service.
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The Scandal: Betrayal of Public Trust Banks, along with her former colleagues Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris and Sgt. Derrick Holman, was accused of stealing from a home during an eviction. This isn’t just a lapse in judgment—it’s a blatant abuse of power, violating the very oath these officials swore to uphold.
Despite this, Banks struck a deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty to the lesser charge of official oppression, a misdemeanor, while the felony theft charge was conveniently dropped.
The light sentence has left many wondering: where is the accountability? Probation for someone in a position of authority who abused their power is not justice—it’s a slap in the face to the victims and to every law-abiding citizen who expects better from their public officials.
A Pattern of Leniency? This isn’t the first time a member of this disgraced trio has walked away with a wrist slap. Banks’ former boss, Precinct 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris, was convicted of theft in 2022 but received only five years probation . Meanwhile, former Sgt. Derrick Holman was found not guilty in August 2023.
This pattern of leniency for public officials raises serious questions about the justice system’s willingness—or lack thereof—to hold government employees accountable when they betray public trust.
A Confession That Changed Nothing Banks’ defense attorney, Brett Harrison, was quick to point out her cooperation with law enforcement, emphasizing that she provided a full confession and testified against her co-defendants. While Harrison argues that her testimony was “the right thing to do,” one has to ask: does doing the bare minimum to right a wrong excuse the original crime?
“Clearly, Ms. Banks made a couple of terrible decisions,” Harrison said. Terrible decisions? That’s a gross understatement for someone who abused their badge to steal from citizens.
Where’s the Outrage? If this case doesn’t spark widespread outrage, what will? Public officials who use their positions to exploit citizens and then escape with minimal consequences are an affront to justice. This leniency sets a precedent that those in power can act with impunity, provided they offer a convenient confession or testimony when caught.
Banks’ guilty plea and probation sentence are hardly a deterrent for other public officials who might consider abusing their authority. Instead, it perpetuates a culture of unaccountability within law enforcement ranks—something no American, especially conservatives who value law and order, should tolerate.
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