SAN ANTONIO – A serious incident has unfolded involving a detention officer in San Antonio. Richard Mendoza, who has been employed as a detention officer since 2024, was arrested on Wednesday morning after an investigation revealed he posted videos on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that depicted sexual assaults against a 13-year-old girl.
Mendoza is now facing two first-degree felony charges: continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and possession of more than 50 items of child pornography. Following his arrest, he has been placed on administrative leave, pending further investigation.
The investigation began in September when an anonymous tip was sent to Crime Stoppers. The tipster informed the police that Mendoza had posted videos of himself engaging in sexual acts with the underage victim on X.
Detectives examined Mendoza’s account and found identifiable tattoos on his arms, along with a medical report that included his first name and age, which helped confirm his identity.
Initially, when detectives questioned the victim, she denied any sexual assault had occurred. However, during a later forensic interview, she reiterated her denial. Despite this, evidence from Mendoza’s social media account revealed footage of the sexual assaults and explicit communications between the two.
In a third interview, the victim eventually disclosed that Mendoza had assaulted her four to five times between August and November of 2025, contradicting her earlier statements.
A judge in Bexar County has set a combined bond for Mendoza at $250,000. The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) is currently overseeing the case, which raises serious concerns about the safety of those in detention facilities.
As this situation develops, the SAPD has not yet released further comments regarding Mendoza’s arrest. The community is left with questions about safety and trust, especially with someone in a position meant to protect vulnerable individuals.
The San Antonio Police Department has confirmed that Mendoza was arrested based on an active warrant for sexual abuse of a child under 14 or a disabled person. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the welfare of young people in all environments.
