Leander Police Arrest APD Officer Quintana

Leander police arrest APD Officer Quintana for DWI

By: Ashley Porter

The Leander Police Department charged an Austin police officer — recently involved in a controversial shooting death — with driving while intoxicated.

According to the affidavit released by the Williamson County Attorney's Office, Leander police found Quintana at Saddle Blanket Place and Osage Road at around 5 a.m. Tuesday. His car was damaged and the tires were deflated. The affidavit says Quintana failed several sobriety tests and admitted to having a couple drinks at a friend's house.

The allegations are a shock to the Austin Police Association, a union of which Quintana is a member.

Austin Police Association President Wayne Vincent said he was told that Leonardo Quintana was arrested in Leander, early Tuesday morning.

Austin Officer Leonardo Quintana was arrested in Leander.

"Lenny is someone that's had a wonderful reputation with his fellow workers," Sgt. Vincent said. "I think the whole Austin police community is saddened by the news."

News 8's Ashley Porter talked to Quintana's colleagues in the Austin Police Association who say they are shocked.

Officer Quintana was involved in a controversial shooting death that took place in May. Quintana shot and killed Nathaniel Sanders, while on duty investigating a vehicle that police said was possibly involved in criminal activity.

A Travis County grand jury decided not to indict Quintana on Aug. 5. After internal and external investigations, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo decided to give Quintana a15-day suspension for failure to turn on his dashboard camera.

Now, as a different investigation begins, APD has placed Quintana on restricted duty, which limits him to tasks such as desk work.

Vincent said the APA plans on lending him moral support as the case unfolds.

"We'll support him like we would a family member," Vincent said.

Williamson County Jail said Quintana was released just after 2 p.m. Tuesday on a $100,000 bond.