In tiny Jeff Davis County, Texas, a Chief Deputy who violently assaulted a journalist in broad daylight is still wearing a badge—and still supervising other deputies. Despite video evidence, medical records, and a formal complaint, the county has taken no action. No investigation. No discipline. No accountability.
Instead, they tried to criminally charge the journalist she attacked.
Chief Deputy Andrea Ruiloba, second-in-command at the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office, was caught on camera aggressively detaining Big Bend Times publisher David Flash at a June 27, 2025, Commissioners Court meeting in Fort Davis. Flash was covering the meeting as a journalist when Ruiloba suddenly confronted him after he took her photo—a constitutionally protected act.
Though Flash repeatedly stated he was complying, Ruiloba slammed him into a wall as deputies shouted “stop resisting”—a phrase that experts say is often used to falsely justify the use of force.
Flash was treated the same day at Vital Care Urgent Care in Odessa. Medical records show bruises, abrasions, back and chest pain, and elevated heart rate. He was diagnosed and prescribed medication.
But instead of disciplining the chief law enforcement supervisor who attacked a journalist in front of witnesses, the county attempted to prosecute the victim. Flash was charged with disorderly conduct—a charge that was quietly dropped this month after the video made it clear there was no justification for it.
“They tried to flip the narrative and charge me to cover for her violence,” Flash said. “But when the evidence got out, they backed off. What they haven’t done is explain why someone like this is still out there, running a department.”
Flash’s formal written complaint outlines allegations of excessive force, false arrest, and First Amendment retaliation. Texas Government Code § 614.022 requires that such complaints trigger an internal investigation. But more than three weeks later, there’s no sign the county has even acknowledged it.
That inaction is even more alarming considering who’s responsible for ensuring accountability: County Attorney Glen Eisen.
Eisen has a long history of personal animus and open disdain toward Flash. He has repeatedly made ad hominem attacks against him, mocked his appearance, and made rude, baseless assumptions about his motives and mental health—all while using the weight of his office to try to silence or punish Flash for his journalism.
Despite his obvious bias, even Eisen was ultimately forced to drop the charge against Flash—effectively admitting there was no case.
“If someone with that much personal animus toward me had to drop the charge, it shows how little there was to begin with,” Flash said. “But the fact that he continues to protect someone who actually committed a violent act on camera—that’s a whole different level of corruption.”
As Chief Deputy, Ruiloba supervises other officers and sets the culture of the department. Keeping her in that role after a public, unjustified use of force is a direct threat to the safety and rights of everyone in Jeff Davis County.
“This isn’t just about me anymore,” Flash said. “It’s about what happens when a small-town department gives unchecked power to someone like this—and keeps them in charge even after they’ve proven they’ll abuse it.”
Want answers? Ask why a violent Chief Deputy is still supervising officers:
📧 Sheriff Victor Lopez
sheriff.lopez@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
📧 County Judge Curtis Evans
countyjudge@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
📞 (432) 426-3968
📧 County Attorney Glen Eisen
glen.eisen@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
Texas Reporter 