HOUSTON—As he gets ready for work, James Rebullida feels a twinge of anxiety.
“I’m thinking, 'what’s going to happen today,'” he said.
It was during his weekend job at the Fun Plex entertainment center last month that the 17-year-old said he was attacked by a customer, who forced him against a food counter and pinned his arms behind his back.
“I couldn’t move my arms,” he said.
Rebullida claimed it all happened because the man, who was there on a church trip, lost his patience waiting for pizza.
“This is not a joke to do that. It’s very traumatic,” said James’ mother, Eunice Rebullida.
A Harris County Sheriff’s deputy who was called to the scene, discovered the suspect, Lewis Sullivan, was no stranger to the law. Sullivan was actually an off-duty reserve deputy constable in Fort Bend County.
“He was like, ‘whoa, this guy should know how to touch a civilian, especially a minor,’”said Rebullida.
But, in the midst of the investigation, Sullivan’s pastor reportedly handed the deputy a cell phone.
According to the deputy’s report, on the other line was Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.
Records show the District Attorney’s office later refused charges against Sullivan,but recommended a simple citation for misdemeanor assault.
“That’s it? That’s it? Really? I was upset,” said the teen when he heard the news.
The teen said even deputies at the scene didn’t seem to agree with that decision.
“The two deputies were talking, saying, 'this guy is getting off the hook,'" said Rebullida.
His mother said it’s clear someone got involved.
“He had friends,” said Mrs. Rebullida.
But, the sheriff’s office said Sheriff Garcia did nothing to interfere.
A spokesperson said the pastor called the sheriff.
The spokesperson also said the two had reportedly met on official business while Garcia was a Houston city councilman.
After the phone was turned over to the deputy, the sheriff simply asked what was happening, his office said.
An investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s Police Integrity Unit turned up no evidence of any wrongdoing by the sheriff, either.
“Our review into the incident at the Fun Plex has been completed. We have determined that no further action regarding this matter is necessary,” said Donna Hawkins, a DA spokesperson.
The Rebullidas said a lawsuit would be too long and costly to pursue, so they’ve decided to practice forgiveness, instead.
“We need to move on,” said Mrs. Rebullida.
The family, though, is hoping one day they will get an apology.
