Former police officer pleads guilty to federal charges in relation to raid that killed two and injured others

HOUSTON - Former Houston Police Department officer Gerald M. Goines, 62, admitted he made materially false statements in an affidavit to obtain a search warrant that led to the botched Harding Street raid in 2019, resulting in a shootout that killed two and injured four HPD officers.

To obtain the warrant, Goines falsely claimed a confidential informant had purchased heroin from a resident at the home and provided it to him. Goines later admitted he knew the information was false.

He also made other false statements in the affidavit, including claims that others had purchased drugs from residents of the home in the approximately three weeks leading up to the warrant.

"Good policing is hard, and good cops always want to accomplish their mission to keep our communities safe and bring justice to bad guys," said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. "But ends don't justify the means. Here, Goines broke public trust, repeatedly lied, and his deceit bore evil fruit: people got hurt and killed. I support our local, state, and federal law enforcement, but none of us get to commit crooked acts and avoid accountability."

"Gerald Goines was a senior narcotics police officer who knowingly violated departmental policy and the law. He held a position of trust within this community, and he violated that trust by abusing his authority and lying to evade accountability for his actions. In this case, Goines' actions cost the lives of two innocent people," said Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson of the FBI Houston Field Office. "Color of law violations are some of the hardest to prove, but they are crucial to maintaining public trust in law enforcement. We hope today's outcome serves as justice for his victims and a reminder that law enforcement officers are not above the law."

U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks accepted the plea and will impose sentencing Nov. 9. At that time, Goines faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum possible fine.

Goines has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing. He was previously convicted in Harris County on first degree murder charges and is serving a 60-year prison sentence.

Former HPD officer Steven O. Bryant, 53, and Patricia Ann Garcia, 60, both of Houston, previously pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and providing false information, respectively.

FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the case.