BASTROP, Texas — Bastrop County Commissioner Gary "Bubba" Snowden, Precinct 4, was arrested Tuesday on charges of abuse of official capacity.

According to court papers, Snowden is accused of using construction materials belonging to the county. The indictment states that he employed road and bridge crews to resurface a private road. 

Snowden was charged with three counts of abuse of official capacity, two state jail felonies for $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 and one for $30,000 or more but less than $100,000, a third-degree felony.

He was released on bond shortly after he was arrested. 

Snowden's Statement:

 I have been indicted by the Grand Jury of Bastrop County, Texas on counts of “Official Misconduct.” 

I am not guilty of each and every charge contained in this indictment.  I am totally “innocent” of any wrong doings on the projects or matters alluded to in the indictment, “The Wilbarger Creek Drive” and the “Moon Break Road”.  In fact, I am proud of the work and service which Bastrop County, Precinct 4 employees and I did to repair the roads, in a time of need. The repairs not only helped many residents who use those roads daily to get to work and school, but the public at large who use the roads; school buses, service providers, emergency providers, police and the public at large.

I have known of the allegations for a long time.  I am confident that time will prove that they were politically motivated and instigated by a few individuals whose only intent was my removal for their personal benefit.

From the beginning, I have hid nothing.  I have answered every question put to me by the state officials and other members of the Commissioner’s Court, and Texas Ranger Brent Barina, the only witness who testified before the Grand Jury under oath.  I would have liked to have testified and had evidence presented to the Grand Jury, but was not permitted to do so, and only “invited” to testify, conditioned upon doing so without the assistance or representation of my own attorney.

I am looking forward to a public trial, when I will testify and offer evidence which will prove my innocence, and prove that I did not use government services and government property which were entrusted to me to obtain any benefit or defraud another.  I have never profited or benefited financially or personally, from the service performed to county employees on county time.  To the contrary, I have donated and loaned my property, equipment and materials to the county.  I have worked after hours and I am available to my constituents and the public at my office, county barn,  my home and on the roads of Precinct 4, “24/7”.

I will continue to do the best job for the people of Bastrop County as long as the voters wish me to serve and the good lord allows me to serve.