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Christina Cervantex, Crime Lab
She is a Crime Lab Specialist with the TX Department of Public Safety. She used to work for El Paso Sheriff’s Office as an evidence technician.
Background
- Her duties were to intake evidence as it was collected from the scene and from officers. She responded to calls when evidence needed to be collected and also received phone calls from the public in reference to getting their property back.
- She was with El Paso Sheriff’s Office from August 2015 - Jan 2022.
- In January and February 2020 she was with EPSO as an evidence technician.
- In a civil issue, property held by the sheriff’s office, the detective authorizes what can be released or a judge’s order can do the same thing.
- In a criminal matter, evidence is held until the case is completed and the authorizations were received.
- Cervantez received calls asking for Letecia’s property back but did not recall any calls from someone identifying themselves as Letecia Stauch.
- Cervantez did see Letecia come into the lobby one time. She asked for her property back but Cervantez had to get in touch with the lead investigator for authorization.
- Cervantez is familiar with her voice and points out the defendant as the person she knows as Letecia Stauch.
- The voice on the phone matched Letecia’s but she pretended to be Harley.
- Exhibit 280 is a recording of a phone call on February 12th 2020.
Defense asking questions on the exhibit
- Cervantez had never spoken to Harley in person and does not know what she sounds like or how much she may sound like Letecia.
- Defense objects, judge overrules.
- The phone call is from “Harley” to the crime lab, Cervantez answers.
- Letecia:
- She gives her name as Harley Hunt.
- Cervantez:
- Cervantez found it odd that Harley said she was a flight attendant.
“My book bag which had my birth certificate, social security and all that stuff is still in the car that was impounded. I need my Macbook for school.
“It’s a black and white book bag that was in the Jetta. It has my passport, my job paperwork. One blue bag has a Macbook in it. My diamond rings are in it. A pink folder that has like my birth certificate and all that in it. I understand they might still be holding the car but I can’t even work without my passport because I’m a flight attendantt.”
“Everything on this case is evidence so I cannot release it back to you without written authorization from a higher authority; we have not received any so unfortunately we can’t. You may want to contact the detective from this case. Gives detective Bethel’s number.”