Blake Shimanek is an ex-police sergeant in Keller, Texas. He quit his job last year following the city agreeing to a settlement with a man who said that the officer had used excessive force and profiled his son. Shimanek has now pleaded guilty to official oppression in the same case.
In August 2020, Shimanek pulled over Dillon Puente for making a wide right turn.
Marco Puente, Dillon’s father, then came on the scene and began recording the incident from across the street. Footage shows Shimanek then demanded that another officer, Ankit Tomer, apprehend Dillon and pepper spray his father.
Shimanek lost his rank and later resigned after the city agreed to settle with Dillon’s father for $200,000 in February 2021.
On Thursday, Shimanek pled guilty to official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor, for his part in the apprehension and pepper spraying.
The plea will mean that Shimanek will have to give up his peace officer’s license. This means that he won’t be permitted to work in law enforcement in Texas. He will also be admitted to the Public Safety Employee Treatment Court.
If Shimanek completes a diversion program, the judge will eventually drop the case. The program can last from nine months to two years.
If Shimanek doesn’t complete the program, he will face sentencing. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a maximum fine of $4,000 and up to one year in jail.
