A Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office sergeant is under investigation following allegations of sexual harassment towards a teenager during multiple traffic stops. Sergeant Austin Erbina is now facing several misdemeanor charges, including unlawful detainment.
The authorities claim that Erbina misused police resources by using a software system to track license plates in a parking lot. His alleged aim was to find the home address of a 17-year-old barista. Both the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety are involved in the investigation, confirming the misuse of the precinct’s database.
Erbina, an eight-year veteran of the department, was sworn in by former Constable May Walker. Records show that in 2023, Erbina often visited a Starbucks near Beltway 8, where he started interacting with the teenager. During their conversations, he allegedly mentioned that he would use the police system to locate her.
The teenager, feeling uncomfortable, decided to return to Starbucks instead of going home and shared her concerns with her coworkers. As she eventually left, Erbina is said to have pulled her over again. During the stop, he allegedly asked for her Snapchat and made a comment about her turning 18 in three weeks.
The following week, the teenager reported another encounter with Erbina, this time near the Brunswick Lakes Community Waterpark. She asked why his body camera wasn’t on, to which he allegedly responded that it wasn’t necessary as he wasn’t conducting a traffic stop, but merely wanted to talk.
The Houston Police Department’s special investigations unit has since taken over the case. Their investigation includes reviewing surveillance footage from the Starbucks and a nearby gas station. Detectives have also interviewed individuals the teenager contacted during the incidents.
Sergeant Erbina is scheduled to appear in court in the near future as the investigation continues.