An Edinburg police officer received a seven-day unpaid suspension after admitting he engaged in consensual sexual activity twice while on duty, according to disciplinary records recently released following a Texas Attorney General ruling. Officer Evaristo Carrion Lara, a two and a half year member of the department, signed an agreed discipline notice on Feb. 3, 2026, accepting responsibility for the conduct and waiving his right to appeal. His suspension ran from Feb. 9 through Feb. 15, 2026.

Messages Discovered During Applicant Background Investigation

The case began with information uncovered during a background investigation involving an applicant seeking employment with the Edinburg Police Department. On Dec. 23, 2025, Training Division Lt. Robert Vallejo forwarded information up the chain of command after background investigators conducted a consensual search of the applicant’s cellphone. Investigators found text messages between the applicant and Carrion indicating the officer may have visited her for sexual activity while working on July 22 and Nov. 16, 2025. Police Chief Jaime Ayala referred the information to Internal Affairs Lt. Orlando Garcia for a formal investigation on Dec. 29.

The released documents identify the applicant, but The Hawk’s Eye is not naming her because the disciplinary allegations concern Carrion’s conduct as a public employee. The records describe both encounters as consensual and do not accuse the applicant of misconduct. Investigators said the applicant and Carrion knew one another from attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Late-Night Messages, Police Vehicles And Duty Records

According to the investigative summary, the July 22, exchange began at approximately 10:15 p.m. when the applicant asked Carrion if he was nearby. Carrion responded, “Llego en 7,” indicating he would arrive in seven minutes, and sent another message at 10:26 p.m. stating, “I’m here.” Carrion’s work schedule showed he was on duty, but investigators found no call for service near the residence and no radio communication documenting that he had stopped there. Carrion later admitted that he took an “older” police vehicle to the apartment, engaged in sex and then returned to the police station to wait for his shift to end at midnight.

The second encounter was documented during the early morning hours of Nov. 16, 2025. When the applicant asked Carrion to visit, he responded that his police radio would have to remain on and asked whether that was acceptable. Carrion sent an “I’m here” message at approximately 4 a.m., while GPS data placed his assigned patrol vehicle near the applicant’s residence from 4 a.m. until 4:26 a.m. At the same time, radio logs showed Carrion checking out for a meal break at his own residence from 3:59 a.m. until 4:44 a.m. When Internal Affairs later questioned that discrepancy, Carrion said he could not recall whether he had reported being at his residence or the applicant’s residence.

Carrion Admitted The Conduct

The applicant met with Internal Affairs on Jan. 8, 2026, and provided an affidavit confirming that she and Carrion had engaged in consensual sex while he was on duty on both dates. Five days later, investigators provided Carrion with Garrity warnings, an administrative investigation warning and a personnel complaint. Carrion returned on Jan. 16, with association attorney David Willis and submitted a written response to the allegations. According to the disciplinary notice, Carrion confirmed both encounters and acknowledged using police vehicles to travel to the applicant’s apartment.

Carrion also confirmed that he advised dispatch he was taking a meal break before the November encounter. After providing his response, he apologized and acknowledged that his actions did not conform to department standards. 

Department Sustained Multiple Policy Violations

Edinburg Police Department Policy 320.5.5 specifically prohibits officers from engaging in sexual activity while on duty. Investigators also sustained a violation of Policy 320.5.13, which covers conduct unbecoming a department member or conduct contrary to good order, efficiency or morale. The records additionally cite Edinburg’s civil service rules and Section 143.051 of the Texas Local Government Code concerning violations of applicable police department rules.

Seven-Day Agreement Included Waiver Of Appeal

Chief Ayala wrote that he had considered disciplinary action ranging from suspension days to an indefinite suspension. Under the agreement, Carrion accepted seven calendar days without pay and waived any right to appeal the punishment. In exchange, Ayala agreed not to impose a suspension greater than the punishment contained in the agreement. 

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