TABC Agent’s Career Ends Abruptly After Colleagues Report Threats and Unprofessional Conduct
TABC Agent’s Career Ends Abruptly After Colleagues Report Threats and Unprofessional Conduct
By
John Ferrara
1 August, 2025
When the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) brought on Melynda M. Martinez in October 2024, the agency gained an experienced law enforcement veteran with more than 16 years at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and service in the U.S. Navy . On paper, Martinez appeared to be a strong addition to the ranks.
But less than seven months later, her career with TABC ended abruptly in April 2025 after a series of incidents that investigators described as threatening, unprofessional, and potentially dangerous to coworkers and the public.
“I Could Just Stomp Your Face In”
The unraveling began with an Inter-Office Communication received by TABC on March 2, 2025. An enforcement agent reported that Martinez had told a fellow agent during a November 7, 2024 encounter:
“I could just stomp your face in right now.”
“Hmm, ya f***ing really just want to.”
“I could hurt you.”
The language, described as both violent and threatening, triggered a formal investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Questions of Fitness for Duty
While OIG was still investigating the threats, new information surfaced suggesting Martinez was dealing with impairments that affected her ability to perform her duties as a Commissioned Peace Officer (CPO). Instead of self-reporting those issues to her supervisor — as required under TABC’s HRD 3.2 policy — she allegedly remained silent.
The failure raised alarms about whether she could be trusted to safely carry out her enforcement role, particularly in a high-stakes agency tasked with regulating alcohol sales and policing violations across Texas.
OIG added the new allegation to its investigation, ultimately sustaining both the threat-related and fitness-for-duty violations.
Early Red Flags: Unwanted Touching and Inappropriate Language
The investigation revealed that Martinez’s problems at TABC didn’t begin with the threats. Just two weeks after her hire, four agents came forward describing behavior that made them uncomfortable.
According to their statements, Martinez engaged in unwanted physical contact — including hugging coworkers, patting one on the lower back, and holding onto a partner during training drills long after exercises ended. She also reportedly used personal language such as “babe,” “sweetheart,” “sweetie,” and “I love you, give me a hug.”
On October 15, 2024, TABC supervisors Sergeant Cris Martinez and Training Deputy Director Ashleigh Jons counseled her on professionalism, making it clear the behavior needed to stop. Martinez appeared receptive at the time, but records show the conduct continued.
Insubordination and Escalating Concerns
Despite explicit warnings, Martinez allegedly persisted in using terms like “sweetie” — not only with coworkers, but also with a minor involved in a TABC operation.
The refusal to follow corrective guidance was labeled insubordination, a serious violation under TABC’s disciplinary rules. Multiple coworkers told supervisors they were uncomfortable working with Martinez, amplifying leadership’s concerns about her ability to function on a team.
Termination and No Path Back
In its final decision, TABC cited violations of HRD 3.2 (professional conduct and workplace standards) and HRD 2.5 (prohibiting threats and intimidation). The agency’s conclusion was stark: Martinez’s conduct posed a serious concern for the safety of the public and her coworkers.
Effective immediately, she was fired, stripped of her Commission, ordered to return all agency equipment, and declared ineligible for rehire.
Broader Questions About Oversight
While Martinez’s short tenure is now over, the case raises larger questions for TABC. Why did a new recruit — already facing red flags within her first two weeks — remain in the field until an outright threat forced a deeper probe?
The agency acted decisively once the IOC was filed, but internal records show that concerns had been building almost from day one. Supervisors documented unprofessional conduct and issued counseling, yet the behavior persisted and escalated.
The case highlights the challenges agencies face when balancing corrective training against decisive disciplinary action. In Martinez’s case, TABC opted for a second chance — but ultimately concluded that her conduct was incompatible with public service.
A Career Derailed
Public records confirm Martinez’s career spanned nearly two decades in law enforcement, including detention and patrol work at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office before joining TABC .
Her trajectory, once marked by promotions and recognition, ended with an abrupt firing less than a year into her state service. What began as a promising hire for a high-profile regulatory agency ended instead with warnings unheeded, colleagues unsettled, and a termination letter declaring her unfit for duty.
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