The Town of Hollywood Park announced on January 20, 2026, that former City Secretary Patrick David Aten had been arrested following what town officials described as an extensive public integrity investigation. According to the town’s release, the investigation was led by the Hollywood Park Police Department in coordination with the Texas Rangers and the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit.

Town officials stated that the investigation focused on alleged conduct occurring after Aten’s separation from employment with Hollywood Park on October 10, 2024. The town described the case as involving allegations of harassment, deception, impersonation, and tampering with government records. The arrest was carried out without incident, according to the town’s statement.

Charges Referenced in the Town’s Announcement

In its release, the Town of Hollywood Park stated that Patrick David Aten had been charged with six criminal counts tied to what it characterized as a targeted campaign against the town and its personnel. Those charges include four counts of online impersonation and two counts of tampering with a government record.

Town officials alleged that Aten used the names of real individuals without consent and submitted complaints under false identities to multiple state agencies, including the Texas Rangers, the Texas Office of the Attorney General, and the Texas Ethics Commission. According to the release, those complaints allegedly targeted former and current Hollywood Park officials.

Jail and Court Records Reflect Multiple Misdemeanor Cases

Bexar County jail records show that Patrick David Aten was booked into the Bexar Adult Detention Center on the evening of January 20, 2026. The booking occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. The records further show that Aten was released from custody the following morning, January 21, 2026, at approximately 8:37 a.m., after bond was posted.

Court records filed the same day as the arrest show multiple misdemeanor cases associated with Patrick David Aten in County Court-at-Law 12. Each case is currently listed as a pre-file misdemeanor and remains in an “awaiting filing” status.

The cases include allegations of online impersonation involving email or messaging with identifying information, as well as allegations of tampering with government records. The offense dates listed in the court summaries span from November 2024 through April 2025.

Each case reflects the same arrest date of January 20, 2026, and lists the Hollywood Park Police Department as the investigating agency. Bond was posted in each case, and court-ordered conditions include no-contact provisions and firearm-related restrictions while the matters remain pending.

Statement From Hollywood Park Leadership

Hollywood Park Mayor Chester Drash addressed the arrest in the town’s announcement, stating that the town would not tolerate deception used to harass public servants or undermine public trust. The mayor emphasized the town’s cooperation with prosecutors and described the case as part of a broader effort to uphold integrity within municipal government. Town officials framed the arrest as the result of a deliberate investigative process rather than a single complaint or isolated incident.

Municipal Career Spanned Multiple Cities

Before working for the Town of Hollywood Park, Patrick David Aten served as City Secretary for the City of New Braunfels. After leaving Hollywood Park, Aten accepted the position of City Secretary for the City of Marion. Aten resigned from the Marion position approximately six months after taking the job.

Presumption of Innocence

Patrick David Aten is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges and allegations referenced in court records and the Town of Hollywood Park’s announcement have not yet been adjudicated, and no findings of fact have been made by a judge or jury.

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