Dallas Homicide Detective Accused Of Lying And Tampering With Records Involving Former Officer Bryan Riser’s Murder Hearing

A Dallas homicide detective has been placed under criminal investigation.

It was said that he lied and tampered with records regarding a capital murder charge involving a fellow officer.

Two felony counts of tampering with government records and one felony count of perjury has been referred to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office involving Detective Esteban Montenegro.

Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Wiley says her office has been appointed as special prosecutors on the case and “recently received the case from Dallas County”.

Wiley said, “We just started reviewing the documents. There are more documents to be received from Dallas County. We will not be making a filing decision until we completely review the Dallas DA’s Office file.”

Montenegro has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation for the 2021 arrest of former Dallas Police Officer Bryan Riser.

Riser, a 12 year veteran, was accused of hiring a hitman to kill two people back in 2017.

On March 4, 2021 Riser was arrested by police but later released for lack of evidence.

During Riser’s hearing in April, Montenegro argued that he believed there was probable cause at the time to arrest Riser.

The original warrants, signed by a judge, said a preliminary analysis from the FBI “revealed that the suspect’s cellphone placed him in or about the area during the time frame” of both victims’ disappearances and killings.

However, after Riser’s arrest, Montenegro said the information regarding the cellphone was not true and it was removed.

During the hearing Montenegro admitted to making a mistake and called it a cut and paste error.

Montenegro’s attorney, Messina Madson says she believes her client acted in good faith and the Justice system will clear him.

As a result, Riser is appealing his termination and maintains his innocence.