HPD jailer indicted over alleged attack

Houston Chronicle -- 4/21/2001

A Houston Police Department jailer was indicted Friday on a charge of official oppression, accused of using excessive force while booking a suspect into jail.

Another employee at the jail as well as the suspect filed complaints against Daniel Flores after the Feb. 8 incident.

Prosecutor Tommy LaFon said on that day Flores, 30, was trying to get fingerprints from Charles Pointer, who had just been arrested for burglary of a motor vehicle.

Pointer, 28, did not want to give his fingerprints, claiming a hand injury was bothering him, LaFon said.

At that point, Flores apparently struck Pointer and choked him.

LaFon said reports filed by the other jail employee and Pointer were similar in facts.

Houston Police spokesman Alvin Wright said Flores has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.

As a jailer, Flores is classified as a civilian employee. He has been with the department since January 199