Written by VIDEO NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABE ——— In March 2023, Robert Nagel, a 58-year-old resident of the Lake McQueeney area and manager of Nagel’s Gun Shop in San Antonio, was driving southbound on Interstate 35 in New Braunfels when he was pulled over by Officer Palacios of the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD). The officer informed Nagel that his license plate did not return any information in the state database, despite Nagel’s assertion that his vehicle was properly registered, insured, and had a current inspection. Nagel attempted to retrieve his inspection sticker from inside the vehicle to demonstrate compliance but was instructed by Palacios to remain in front of the patrol unit. expressnews.com+1ksat.com+1ksat.com
During the interaction, Nagel invoked his right to remain silent after perceiving Palacios’s demeanor as aggressive and confrontational. Despite this, Palacios continued to question Nagel about potential illegal substances or weapons in the vehicle. A second officer, identified as Officer Fraga, arrived on the scene and also questioned Nagel, further escalating the situation. Approximately 30 minutes into the stop, Sergeant Penniman arrived and, without verifying Nagel’s documentation, accused him of operating the vehicle illegally. Nagel was subsequently arrested and charged with displaying a fictitious vehicle registration and unlawfully carrying a firearm. ksat.com+1expressnews.com+1expressnews.com+1ksat.com+1
Nagel spent about 12 hours in jail before being released on bond. In March 2025, a prosecutor informed him that the charges were being dismissed. Following the dismissal, Nagel filed a federal lawsuit against the City of New Braunfels and the three officers involved, alleging violations of his First and Fifth Amendment rights, false arrest, and failure to de-escalate the situation. The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that the officers’ and department’s actions and policies are unconstitutional, $500,000 in punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. expressnews.com
This incident is not isolated within the NBPD. In January 2020, Clarence Crawford, a Black man, was pulled over by Officer Kaleb Meyer for a reportedly dirty license plate. The encounter escalated, resulting in Crawford being forcefully removed from his vehicle, stunned with a Taser, and arrested. Crawford later filed a lawsuit alleging excessive force and racial profiling. Both Officer Meyer and the police chief resigned following the incident. ksat.com+1casemine.com+1
Additionally, in November 2021, a woman named Bays was arrested by NBPD officers under questionable circumstances. She alleged that officers conducted an unlawful traffic stop, arrested her without probable cause, and subjected her to a 27-day detention during which she suffered medical emergencies due to denied access to necessary medications. Bays filed a lawsuit claiming violations of her constitutional rights and seeking damages for legal fees and medical expenses incurred. casemine.com+1therealnews.com+1
These incidents highlight a pattern of alleged misconduct within the New Braunfels Police Department, raising concerns about the department’s practices and the need for accountability and reform to prevent future violations of citizens’ rights.
## Officer Forum Links:
– [Officer Palacios](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/officer-palacios/)
– [Officer Fraga](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/officer-fraga/)
– [Sergeant Penniman](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/sergeant-penniman/)