Charges also included tampering with evidence, resisting arrest
This story was updated extensively to include information from an arrest affidavit.
Alpine
Police arrested Geoffrey “Geo” Raul Calderon—Alpine’s city secretary—early Sunday morning on charges of possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and possession of a prohibited substance in a correctional/civil facility, according to records from the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Dustin Chopelas stopped a car Calderon was a passenger in at 2:58 a.m. for not signaling a turn soon enough at Highway 118 and E. Gallego, according to a probable cause affidavit for Calderon’s arrest.
The affidavit by Chopelas outlined the following sequence of events, which started with a “Heavy odor of alcohol was emitting from the vehicle.” A 24-year-old woman in the car admitted to drinking, but the 22-year-old male driver said he was a designated driver.
An assisting Alpine police officer, Zachary Juarez, observed an open container in the backseat with Calderon, who “displayed nervous and deceptive behavior inside the vehicle. “Calderon would not stand still and disobeyed lawful orders,” the affidavit said. “Calderon’s body language was fidgety, made affirmative moments and bladed away from law enforcement presence. I asked Calderon to empty his pockets on the hood of my patrol unit.”
Chopelas stated that Calderon took out a dark container with clear liquid that he dumped on the ground, and then he threw the container in a neighboring yard, which the deputy later found and retained. “During the search of the vehicle multiple white rock-like substances were located in the passenger seat.” The white rock-like substances later tested positive for the presence of cocaine.
“An attempt to detain Calderon was conducted,” the affidavit stated. “Calderon resisted arrest by pulling away and kicking Officer Juarez multiple times. During the search of Calderon [at the jail], Calderon attempted to destroy a clear plastic baggie containing a white power like substance by throwing it in the bathroom toilet …. The contraband was retrieved out of the toilet and later … [the] substance tested positive for the presence of cocaine.
Calderon, 36, has worked for the city since 2018, was appointed secretary in 2021, and served as interim city manager until the recent appointment of Henry Arredondo. He has been the chief administrator who coordinates City Council meetings and oversees—at a top level—many of the city’s projects. According to a bio on the city’s website, Calderon is an Alpine native and graduate of Alpine High School.
Arredondo confirmed the arrest today, but he said that he knew little about the charges, except that Calderon had been released from jail. He said he intended to speak with the Human Resources Department tomorrow regarding the matter.
Alpine Mayor Catherine Eaves made it clear that the city manager is Calderon’s direct supervisor. “As per the City of Alpine Charter, the city manager has administrative controls and functions,” she said. “This will fall under his purview with consult from the council tomorrow evening in executive session. The City Manager will get the incident report from the sheriff’s department, prior to meeting with council tomorrow night.”
The council met Tuesday afternoon, but declined to directly address Calderon’s job. Arredondo did say at the meeting that Calderon was on administrative leave without pay. Eaves then announced that there would be no executive session to discuss Calderon’s employment, although that option was left for the next council meeting. “There will be no knee jerk reactions,” she told the council.
Sheriff’s records did not immediately list when Calderon was released from county jail or any bond information. Calderon did not immediately return a request for comment.
Possession of a controlled substance charges list the class of drug, in this case Class 1, which includes cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. The charges were for 1 gram to 4 grams. However, Calderon’s charges specifically included a “1-B” classification, reserved for fentanyl. Since the affidavit did not list any fentanyl found, it’s still unclear why that charge was levied.
