Categories: East Texas NewsTyler

Houston County deputy fired after child sex crime arrest

Mugshot of Skylar Laza, Courtesy of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office

HOUSTON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office has fired one of their own after learning former Deputy Skyler Laza was arrested on child sex crime charges.

At around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Houston County Sheriff Zak Benge was contacted by the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division regarding an employee who was the subject of an investigation.

About an hour later, Sheriff Benge was informed that Laza had been arrested at his home in Palestine and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child.

The sheriff traveled to the Anderson County Jail, where Laza was being held and terminated his employment effective immediately.

The allegations and supporting evidence against Laza are truly disturbing. It is sickening to me that a person who sought a position meant to help those in our community, especially the most vulnerable, our children, would be the very person arrested for abuse. My office will continue to work with the investigating agencies and assist in every way possible to ensure that Laza, and anyone else involved in these heinous acts of abuse against this juvenile victim, are punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Sheriff Zak Benge


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