From left, Derrick Holman and LaQuenda Banks

A Smith County constable is facing abuse of official capacity and other charges after he and two of his employees were arrested.

Smith County Pct. 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris was arrested Thursday on charges of official oppression, abuse of official capacity and theft between $750 and $2,500 by a public servant. He was released the same day on bonds totaling $30,000.

Smith County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks and Pct. 1 Sgt. Derrick Holman were arrested Wednesday on charges of abuse of official capacity, official oppression and property theft. They were each released Wednesday on bonds totaling $30,000.

The Texas Rangers made all three arrests.

Traylor-Harris on Thursday morning said he had no comment regarding the arrests of Banks or Holman.

The Tyler Paper also reached out to Banks and Holman’s direct phone numbers at the constable’s office. Court documents related to the arrests have also been requested.

Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said his office could not comment on the Texas Rangers’ investigation.

Traylor-Harris became constable Jan. 1 following a contentious election last year.

He succeeded Bobby Garmon, who had served as appointed constable since December 2017.

Traylor-Harris was the third-place finisher in the March 2020 Democratic primary election; however, after courts found winner Willie Mims ineligible, a runoff was held between Traylor-Harris and Garmon.

Traylor-Harris won that contest and — because there was no Republican challenger — he also won the General Election.

In July, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement confirmed the Smith County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office was under investigation in connection with accusations of improperly appointing an officer.

Gretchen Grigsby, TCOLE director of government relations, said the ongoing investigation was opened on March 23.

At the time, Traylor-Harris said the improper appointment claim was related to a complaint filed against Demondre Montogmery, who was serving as a reserve deputy for the constable’s office.

An affidavit related to Montgomery’s arrest showed Montgomery, who does not have a peace officer certification, arrested a man in March. Montgomery was then charged with impersonating a public servant in July.

Traylor-Harris said in July a part of the law gave his office the ability to appoint Montgomery to the role. A section within the Texas Government Code states a county commissioner’s court can give its constables the authority to appoint reserve deputy constables.

Traylor-Harris, a Tyler native, has roughly 13 years of experience in the criminal justice field, beginning with his time as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice corrections officer. He has also worked in county detention at different sheriff’s offices, including Smith County under former Sheriff J.B. Smith.