GEORGETOWN — A Williamson County Sheriff’s deputy entered guilty plea charges Monday, April 29, according to a county press release.
The Williamson County District Attorney’s office said Christopher Pisa, 29, pleaded guilty to charges of official oppression Monday, April 29.
The DA’s office described it as an “alarming case” due to the circumstances surrounding the charges.
According to a press release, Pisa, working as a patrol deputy April 21, 2019, initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for lacking a front license plate.
The driver, 29-yearold Army veteran Imani Nembhard, had her two children in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the stop, the DA’s office said.
Prosecutors said Pisa questioned Nembhard about the lack of car safety seats and eventually demanded she exit the vehicle.
“As she attempted to comply, Pisa grabbed Ms. Nembhard in an effort to handcuff her without lawful cause,” the press release said. “Concerned about Pisa’s aggression, Ms. Nembhard questioned Pisa’s actions. Pisa dramatically escalated the situation by forcibly removing her from the vehicle and violently slamming her to the ground. During the altercation, Pisa placed his knee on Nembhard’s arm and grabbed her by her hair as he tried to handcuff her.”
Pisa arrested Nembhard for the felony offense of assault on a public servant and misdemeanor resisting arrest, the DA’s office said. The office said it declined the felony charge immediately upon review and requested the assistance of the Texas Rangers to investigate Pisa’s actions.
Nembhard remained in jail on the misdemeanor resisting arrest charge for three days until she made bond, but that charge was also declined by the County Attorney’s Office.
Following the Texas Ranger’s investigation, Pisa was indicted by a Williamson County Grand Jury on October 15, 2020, for the misdemeanor offenses of official oppression and assault. As crimes of official misconduct, the cases fell under the jurisdiction of the DA’s office.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Pisa was convicted of the crimes of official oppression and assault and sentenced to a 12-month county jail sentence, which will be probated for 18 months.
As a condition of probation, he will be required to spend six days in county jail, three of those days immediately and the remaining three on the anniversary of his offense next April.
Additional conditions include completing 200 hours of community service and a written letter of apology. Pisa must also permanently surrender his peace officer’s license.
“To restore faith in our justice system, we must ensure that those who are entrusted with power are accountable for their actions,” District Attorney Shawn Dick said. “This case reaffirms our commitment to impartiality and integrity within the law enforcement community. Deputy Pisa’s guilty plea is a testament to our unwavering pursuit of justice, regardless of rank or position.”
Pisa
