Uvalde judge on 90-day leave after drug arrest.

UVALDE, Texas – A municipal court judge in Uvalde is currently on a 90-day leave of absence following a recent city council meeting decision.

The Uvalde City Council voted 4-1 in favor of the leave agreement for Judge Richard O. Gonzales. He was taken into custody along with his grandson and three others after authorities discovered drugs while serving an indictment to his grandson, as reported by the Uvalde Leader-News.

During the council meeting, Gonzales’ attorney, Rogelio Munoz, asserted that his client’s arrest was a result of his grandson’s failure to claim ownership of the drugs found during the arrest.

Munoz emphasized Gonzales’ innocence and maintained that the current situation was merely an accusation with no formal indictment or pending criminal case.

Despite acknowledging that he did not have all the details of the case, Munoz requested the council to allow Gonzales the opportunity to clear his name.

After a public discussion where a former employee spoke in support of the judge, the council decided to grant a 90-day leave of absence to allow Gonzales to address the accusations against him.

During Gonzales’ absence, Uvalde will seek a temporary judge to fulfill the judicial duties.