Chief deputy busted in Texas prostitution sting, loses job
HOUSTON (KIAH) — A chief constable in Texas is out of a job after he was arrested during a prostitution sting, according to authorities.
Brian Harris, who was the chief deputy for the Precinct 5 Constable’s Office in Harris County, was one of 14 people arrested by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in an undercover sting operation at a hotel on Wednesday night.
Harris was charged with solicitation of prostitution, a felony in Texas. He was released from the Montgomery County Jail on Thursday night, wearing a towel over his head as he was getting into a car.
After news of the arrest got out on Thursday, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap said Harris had been relieved of duty. Harris was Heap’s second-in-command at the constable’s office.
Harris had previously worked as a Houston police homicide detective before joining the constable’s office.
Harris’ arrest and termination also come just weeks after a deputy in Georgia was arrested during a similar sting in Florida.
Jason DiPrima, 49, was busted in early September after police in Polk County said he attempted to offer an undercover officer $180 in exchange for sex, NewsNation affiliate WFLA reported. He also brought a pack of White Claw Hard Seltzers to the meet-up location.
DiPrima ultimately resigned days later, the station confirmed.