The City’s website provider has blocked traffic to the City’s site as a precaution after security threats overnight. The City is working with Vision Internet to reinforce security and get the site back up and running as soon as possible.
A hacker group claims the threats are retaliation for an incident on May 29, 2013 involving former Cpl. James Palermo of the San Marcos Police Department, who was arrested and pled guilty to aggravated assault by a public servant for illegally detaining a 22-year-old woman and throwing her face first on the pavement during a traffic stop near 126 S. Guadalupe Street. The woman suffered a concussion and two broken teeth. He was suspended and ultimately terminated by the department.
Palermo was arrested July 16, 2013 after another San Marcos police officer reviewed dashcam video showing him illegally detaining and injuring the woman, prompting the department to conduct both administrative and criminal investigations.
Palermo was charged with aggravated assault with serious bodily injury by a public servant, a first-degree felony, in connection with the incident. The San Marcos Police Department placed Palermo on administrative suspension immediately; he was then placed on indefinite suspension on August 16, 2013, the civil service equivalent of being terminated.
He has since entered into a plea with the Hays County District Attorney, which was agreed upon by the victim, stipulating that Palermo permanently surrender his peace officer’s license to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He is also required to serve probation in exchange for pleading guilty.
“The City of San Marcos and the San Marcos Police Department takes these actions very seriously. The department not only took action against Palermo, but also initiated the action. We are here to protect and serve our community and we did everything within our legal authority to ensure that Palermo was punished for his actions,” said Police Chief Chase Stapp.