Former Austin Police Department Commander Wade Lyons has been indicted on counts involving an employ

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]Former Austin Police Department Commander Wade Lions has been indicted on counts involving an employee while he led APD Academy. A Travis County jury charged Lions with sexual assault, a secondderee felony, official oppression, a class A misdemeanor, in an indictment returned May 5th. Prosecutors say the incidents occurred December 2022 to October 2023 and involved a coercive sexual relationship with the employee.

[00:00:27]Lion's lawyers denied the allegations, saying their client did not commit any crime and that he was harassed by a woman. They note Lions filed civil suits in 2024 claiming harassment by the woman. They questioned the timing of the indictment.

[00:00:43]DA Jose Garza defended pursuing accountability for law enforcement and said holding officers to account maintains community trust. If convicted of sexual assault, Lions faces 2 to 20 years in prison. Official oppression carries a misdemeanor sentence.

[00:00:59]Lions is set for his court appearance June 9th.