Former Hays County employee arrested for tampering with government records

HAYS COUNTY — Various county and law enforcement officials are currently investigating the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office (HCTACO) after a former employee was arrested for tampering with governmental records, which is a state jail felony.

Former HCTACO employee Yobana Ofelia Solano-Sequeira, 29, was arrested on Thursday, June 1, and was released on a $2,000 personal recognizance bond.

According to Texas penal code 37.10, a person commits an offense if he: knowingly makes a false entry in, or false alteration of, a governmental record; makes, presents, or uses any record, document or thing with knowledge of its falsity and with intent that it be taken as a genuine governmental record; intentionally destroys, conceals, removes or otherwise impairs the verity, legibility or availability of a governmental record; possesses, sells or offers to sell a governmental record or a blank governmental record with intent that it be used unlawfully; makes, presents or uses a governmental record with knowledge of its falsity; or possesses, sells or offers to sell a governmental record or a blank governmental record form with knowledge that it was obtained unlawfully.

Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Jenifer O’Kane said Solano-Sequeira is no longer employed with the office.

“A former employee of the Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office was arrested in relation to her activities as a Hays County employee,” O’Kane said. “I am grateful for the diligent efforts of law enforcement in this case. We have been cooperating with law enforcement, but cannot comment any further at this time, as the investigation is ongoing.”

In her statement, the Tax Assessor-Collector assured citizens that public funds were accounted for and were unaffected in the commission of the former employee’s alleged crime.

“I do, however, want to ensure the citizens of Hays County and the taxing units for which we collect that absolutely no public funds have been affected with these alleged activities,” O’Kane added. “All funds have been and continue to be safeguarded and accounted for. No other employees of the Tax Assessor-Collector were implicated in this investigation, which appears to be focused on the alleged actions of one individual.”

Both the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Rangers are investigating the offense, in addition to an audit by the Hays County Auditor Marisol Villarreal Alonzo.

This is an ongoing story. The Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch will update as new information becomes available.