By Mark D. Wilson
SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio
police officer who was accused in November of raping a teen while on duty was
indicted — and subsequently fired — Tuesday.
Jackie Neal, 40, had been on
paid administrative leave with the police department since allegations surfaced
that he forced himself on a 19-year-old woman he had pulled over on the South
Side. Neal was suspended indefinitely without pay after the indictment,
according to SAPD, which referred to the suspension as “tantamount to a
firing.”
The grand jury indictment
includes charges of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and improper
sexual activity with person in custody. If convicted, Neal could face up to
life in prison, the district attorney's office noted.
Chief William McManus has
previously called the allegation a “punch in the eye” to the police department.
At least one other similar
allegation against Neal was made prior to the incident, according to a federal
civil rights lawsuit filed last week. That alleged victim, however, refused to
cooperate with an SAPD investigation.
