The irony of Smith and Celis' dilemmas..........Tony the Two-fer

Local
Call to chief leads to badge inquiry
Smith: Man drew attention to the situation

By Denise Malan (Contact)
Originally published 03:53 a.m., October 26, 2007
Updated 03:53 a.m., October 26, 2007

Smith says a late-night call by Celis piqued his interest in the situation.

CORPUS CHRISTI — A middle-of-the-night call Mauricio Celis placed to Police Chief Bryan Smith asking for help backfired.

Smith said the phone call piqued his interest in the incident in which Celis flashed a law enforcement badge. The Monday after the Sept. 15 incident, Smith said he looked into the initial report and called Sheriff Jim Kaelin to start an investigation.

"The whole reason he got investigated for the badge was he brought himself to my attention," Smith said.

Full police reports of the incident haven't been released because of the pending investigation, but Lt. Michael Markle, who responded to the incident that led to the call to the chief, gave this account:

A naked woman ran to a Southside Stripes store around 4 a.m. Sept. 15 and climbed into a woman's truck. The truck's driver gave the woman a T-shirt and called police, saying the naked woman may have been sexually assaulted.

The woman fled from the parking lot in the T-shirt before police arrived and ran north on Staples Street. One officer went to the Stripes to interview the caller, while Markle and two officers stayed on Staples, found the woman and interviewed her.

The woman never said she was assaulted, and denied it when asked, Markle said. She declined, in writing, attention from medics who Markle had summoned.

The woman had been drinking that night with Celis and another male friend. The three had climbed naked into Celis' hot tub. The other man apparently tried to have sex with the woman, causing her to flee the house, Markle said.

As police interviewed the woman, Celis arrived at the Stripes, with the other man, looking for her. Celis, clad in a bathrobe, didn't show a badge at first, but told the officer he was a "five" -- slang for law enforcement officer.

That officer walked the 200 yards up Staples to where the other police were interviewing the woman, and Celis followed in his car. He flashed a badge and told Markle he would take custody of the woman, but Markle refused.

"I'm not going to let somebody in a bathrobe take custody of a distraught naked female," Markle said.

The officers tried to find a ride home for the woman, but her cell phone was in her car, parked at a Southside restaurant and bar. A female officer took her to her car to find friends' or family members' contact information.

"They leave, and I speak to Mauricio briefly," Markle said. "I said you guys need to go home. We're just going to write a report about this. There's no allegations at this time. Good night."

That's when Celis took out his phone and dialed Smith's cell phone, waking him. Smith said he didn't recognize the phone number that appeared on his cell, but he immediately called back because any call at that hour makes him worry that something may have happened to an officer.

Celis, who Smith said was an acquaintance, told Smith his friend was drunk and in trouble, then handed the phone to Markle, telling him the chief wanted to speak with him. Markle said he told Smith briefly about the incident. Smith replied: "Just do what you've got to do."

"I have a rule," Smith said Thursday. "I don't make decisions for officers in the field."

Smith said he met Celis in January when former Sheriff Larry Olivarez brought him to the police department to ask about an investigation. Olivarez works for Celis at CGT Law Group International. Smith said he ran into Celis several times since but is not a friend and didn't know how Celis got his cell phone number. Smith said he has had the number for maybe 12 years, since his days as a community police officer.

"My phone number is pretty well known," Smith said. "Me getting called is not unusual. I was very upset by, first of all, him calling me at that time in the morning and that he would stick a phone in a supervising officer's face."

An officer drove the woman home, and Celis and his friend went home. Markle said no arrests were made because the woman said no sexual assault occurred, and police had no proof that night that Celis was or was not a law enforcement officer.

Police originally thought Celis's badge was from the Nueces County Sheriff Department, which is why Smith called Kaelin. Kaelin found out the badge was from Duval County, though Celis hadn't been licensed for four years.

Olivarez surrendered the badge to the Nueces County Sheriff's Department. Celis also is accused of impersonating a lawyer. He has not responded to repeated requests for interviews.

Contact Denise Malan at 886-4334 or at maland@caller.com

(89) User Comments:
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related links Posted by 460608 on October 26, 2007 at 5:17 a.m.

Celis needs a REAL lawyer. One from out of Town. Olivarez needs to get REAL and find a REAL job. Kalelin needs to call in a REAL raw Texas Ranger to investigate the whole REAL rotten bunch of them. Smith and Markle need a REAL applause from the community.

And all these people running around thinking they are something REAL special need to see a REAL psychotherapist for attitude adjustments.
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related links Posted by 233913 on October 26, 2007 at 6:47 a.m.

Post 1 - Thanks for keeping it REAL! But as long as we're keeping it "real" - will all the people in Corpus who have Chief's Smith's "real" private phone number please step forward. That's a little "unreal" - no aspersions on the Chief - if I were him I'd start asking around about how many people are just handing out that number as some sort of party favor to people who feel they just might need to make that connection!
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related links Posted by 411404 on October 26, 2007 at 7:33 a.m.

sounds like spin to me...
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related links Posted by 699888 on October 26, 2007 at 8:03 a.m.

funny until it was posted on these blogs...it never came out about the phone call to Smith..plenty of time to get a story straight...
Plus if it was a serious call.he has a text pager that tells him that...
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related links Posted by 706714 on October 26, 2007 at 8:20 a.m.

Caller times quote of the day......"I have a rule," Smith said Thursday. "I don't make decisions for officers in the field."

That statement from the Chief is 100% accurate! Unless you count the times when the suspect's name is "Smith". In those situations, quote number one may be less than 100% accurate.
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related links Posted by 699325 on October 26, 2007 at 9:11 a.m.

spin doctors. get the real police report.
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related links Posted by 699874 on October 26, 2007 at 9:16 a.m.

Lt. Michael Markle deserves an award !!
Thank you all the officers at the scene for protecting that woman and not falling for a lie.
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related links Posted by 234600 on October 26, 2007 at 9:16 a.m.

"I'm not going to let somebody in a bathrobe take custody of a distraught naked female," Markle said.

Best quote ever--good job, officer, for keeping that poor woman away from him.
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related links Posted by 704925 on October 26, 2007 at 9:58 a.m.

This was good professional police work. KUDOs to Chief Smith and Lt. Markle for a job well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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related links Posted by 239636 on October 26, 2007 at 10:04 a.m.

Why weren't Celis and his friend given sobriety tests? If the female admitted to drinking with them and was drunk at 4 am, why wouldn't it seem to reason that the others would be intoxicated also. If Smith didn't do any favors then why were they allowed to drive away no questions asked. Something ain't right!

I don't buy the chiefs explanation. He is distancing himself now that the story has broken.
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related links Posted by 704925 on October 26, 2007 at 10:10 a.m.

Post #7 --------You are trying to SPIN this back to another subject --------------- QUIT THAT
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related links Posted by 705049 on October 26, 2007 at 10:11 a.m.

All of these guys are real pieces of work. Most of what's in the article above is too over the top with "do-gooder" comments to actually believe. But I gotta say, Celis is the biggest idiot of them all.
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related links Posted by 699325 on October 26, 2007 at 10:34 a.m.

so, this is the Lt's account...given to who the chief? ask a question...the incident happened on September 15, why is it that the police "report" is dated October 4th?
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related links Posted by 317094 on October 26, 2007 at 10:35 a.m.

This all sounds reasonable to me.

The bathrobe... of course he was wearing a bathrobe. No one ever tries to pin on a badge when they are naked twice.

Naked woman at 4 am. Hey... Kings Crossing. Need I say more?

Calling the chief in the middle of the night...... maybe he only wanted kinky sexual advice, or advice on how to handle mad naked women, not legal help.

This story is more fun than anything on cable.
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related links Posted by 704925 on October 26, 2007 at 10:45 a.m.

This guy Celis seems to be into some heavy duty bad stuff. Have you noticed how the politicians are running away from him, returning his contributions, etc.? I wonder if Mr. Watts decision to drop our of the Senate race was influenced by any of this.

Seems to me that The Chief & CCPD are doing a good job of uncovering some bad things that are going on in Corpus Christi. It will be interesting to see if there will be any "follow thru" from the Justice system.
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related links Posted by 356013 on October 26, 2007 at 11:04 a.m.

I think those that want to imply the chief of police is somehow bad will do so and no matter what is reported, someone will call it spin. Fact is according the Sherrif as well, Smith contact him for the investigation, Smith did not attempt to let it slide. I say first and foremost, great job to the LT on the scene, great job by the Chief staying out of the active situation, and great job for the Chief following up next business day withe the Sherrif, everything worked as it should. But then again someone will spin it to say the chief was in the hot tub with them all along.....
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related links Posted by 246926 on October 26, 2007 at 11:18 a.m.

The Caller Times is playing catchup to the more timely and better written articles in the San Antonio Express.
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related links Posted by 251548 on October 26, 2007 at 11:33 a.m.

Post 20 then stay with San Antonio Express, obviously you're enjoying the Caller Times because you keep coming here reading and posting.
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related links Posted by 258638 on October 26, 2007 at 12:10 p.m.

Post 2

One of the great things about Chief Smith is his 'open door' policy with officers and the community. He promotes communication instead of hindering it. Lt. Markle did a great job, but Chief Smith fosters the atmosphere and culture that allows officers to do the right thing.

Before you nut-jobs start in - one mistake is no one's whole life. GET OVER IT!

KUDOS to CCPD!
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related links Posted by 709276 on October 26, 2007 at 12:25 p.m.

Chief Smith doesn't know Celis...give me a break! I've seen these two out together at Havana Club before. What a liar! It's so funny how all these people who have been closely associated with Mr. Celis are trying so hard to distance themselves from him now that the sh*t's hit the fan.
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related links Posted by 329705 on October 26, 2007 at 12:36 p.m.

Post 17 -
What does Damon Bently have to do with anything? Who cares if he knows him or his girl that was running around naked.

Post 22 -
Uh, people call stand beside each other, have a drink, and make small talk without having to be friends!!! Stop making accusations!
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related links Posted by 709276 on October 26, 2007 at 12:41 p.m.

Post 23 That's no accusation...they were sitting together...in a booth, all night long. I was there.
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related links Posted by 231171 on October 26, 2007 at 1:11 p.m.

Whoa 24, are you serious?!?!?!?!

When I first moved here, I thought "this place can't be real." Then I thought "well, I'm sure stuff like I'm seeing here happens everywhere." I'm now back to "this place can't be real."

Go Sheriff Kaelin. Think he's a great guy.
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related links Posted by 305005 on October 26, 2007 at 1:53 p.m.

Who was the other man in the hot tub?
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related links Posted by 329705 on October 26, 2007 at 2:07 p.m.

Ok Post 24 - They MUST be friends if they were sitting together all night long!
Were they holding hands? Did the Chief buy him a drink?

If they were FRIENDS, then why didn't the chief have Celis' cell number programmed in his phone? Friends usually have other friends' number!

Wanna be my friend?!??
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related links Posted by 329705 on October 26, 2007 at 3:05 p.m.

where does it say the other man was D. Bentley? The report said she fled when the other man, not Celis, tried to have sex with her. Why would she flee if her BOYFRIEND tried having sex with her?
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related links Posted by 705049 on October 26, 2007 at 3:08 p.m.

I'm semi-convinced the chief has some bad judgement. I don't think he's a bad guy and I don't believe he raped that woman....But putting himself in the position to be accused of it to the extent that the claim got as far as it did, was a bad judgement call.

The chief is probably friends with this cling-on, Celis, but did not want to get involved in the mess that night (especially since he just got cleared for rape). That was probably a good call on his part. But the fact that he is even mixed up with this idiot is not so good.
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related links Posted by 699874 on October 26, 2007 at 3:30 p.m.

poster 30: I was thinking the same thing.
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 4:03 p.m.

post 17 & 22

You are just making up lies to deflect attention off your good buddie Larry Olivarez and Mauricio Celis and Mikal Watts! For all we know you ARE MAURICIO CELIS!

I've got news for you, If Chief Smith is such a good friend of Celis' and they've been seen together, then Chief Smith sure did turn on him! huh?

Chief Brian Smith tore him a new one!! ahahahah That's not to friendly is it?

Chief Smith and Sheriff Kaelin worked to get the facts straight and investigate their suspicions before they hauled his butt to jail! Due to their diligent work, more has come to light than just Celis naked in a bathrobe with a badge. A whole lot more. I for one am glad to see the Sheriff (unlike his counterpart Larry) working with the CCPD instead of against them like in the past!
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related links Posted by 709276 on October 26, 2007 at 4:04 p.m.

Post 27 Actually Mr. Celis was the one buying the Chief drinks all night. And about the phone number, you're right, silly me to think anyone involved in this story would tell a lie. Sorry for being so cynical...and no thank you, I have enough friends. : )
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related links Posted by 702528 on October 26, 2007 at 4:43 p.m.

I don't know if I believe Chief Brian Smith. I mean obviously Celis is somewhat of an intelligent guy to pose as a lawyer and get away with it as long as he did. Why would he incriminate himself by calling Brian Smith. If he did not know Brian Smith why would he all of a sudden bring himself into the spot light?? I think Brian Smith is more than an acquintance and now that his name is out, again, he is trying to deny any wrong doing. The same way he denied having anything to do with his own case in which has to do with RAPE!!!! I think this calls for an impeachment!!!!
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 5:09 p.m.

post 35 thats a stretch.
Are you the girlfriend that was scorned?

The one that concocted this whole lie, to try to take the love of your life down with you? You really are desperate aren't you? Caller Times should out you! For Fraud! Perpetuating a lie to the Police Department and making false accusations can land YOU in jail too!
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 5:14 p.m.

post 29,,,,,,,how do find a police report? What is the web site for this information and is it free?
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related links Posted by 709276 on October 26, 2007 at 5:20 p.m.

Post 38 you must be the fiancee of Chief Smith...so defensive.
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related links Posted by 411404 on October 26, 2007 at 5:32 p.m.

Let’s see if I understand the situation, the Caller Times sits on a local story for weeks that is being reported in other cities and it’s own blog. A scared naked woman decides to say nothing happened after the man she ran from displayed a badge demanding to take custody of her and had the police chief (who has been accused of rape himself) on Celis own phone. Only the Caller times could now make Smith the “hero” of the story. Not! Thank goodness for the Lieutenant on scene making sure some kind of report was written while the facts were still fresh, and our sheriff for not backing down. The rest of you keep paying CT your subscription money, I will have get my local news from SA.
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related links Posted by 411404 on October 26, 2007 at 5:37 p.m.

What's this votes thing at the bottom of the posts? sorry I'm new here.
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 5:45 p.m.

Post 41, ...............Brian Smith does not have a fiance. Where have you been?

He is happily married now. I don't know Brian Smith but I do know others that know Brian Smith and that mentally disturbed ex.

And I heard the wedding was beautiful as was the bride.
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 5:46 p.m.

thanks post 40!
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 7:10 p.m.

you sound like his scorned wacko ex-girlfriend!
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related links Posted by 699874 on October 26, 2007 at 7:10 p.m.

Re post 34 quote: "Actually Mr. Celis was the one buying the Chief drinks all night."

Is this true or just someone being sarcastic ?
(I say this because isn't the Chief supposed to avoid alcohol and get tested regularly for alcohol after the recent incident?)
related links Posted by 699365 on October 26, 2007 at 7:37 p.m.

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related links Posted by 460608 on October 26, 2007 at 7:50 p.m.

Corpus Christi has grown a little since the early eighties when a very rich man said that Corpus Christi is a gossipy place.

Nick Jimenez the Editorial Page Editor once said in one of his columns that the C-T knows where all the "bones" are buried.

I reckon so.
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 26, 2007 at 10:06 p.m.

Post 54 & 55......That's exactly what I suspect too. Celis probably enjoys having law enforcement connections to get the clearance for the drugs to pass through.

It probably also comes in handy for Celis to fly his private plane down South to the border to make his pickup and fly his illegal contraband back to undisclosed locations as he lands his plane incognito. Bam, millions and million of dollars just flowing in.

And his close relationships with strippers and strip bars. Notoriously known for drug abuse. Maybe that's why he pointed a gun to some guy out side of a strip club. Maybe it was a drug deal gone bad. Maybe the apartment door he banged down to get to a stripper who coincidentally locked herself in the bathroom was a drug deal gone bad too.

Something is just not right here. It stinks to high hell.
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related links Posted by 237929 on October 26, 2007 at 11:57 p.m.

As someone who cares about the Corpus Christi community for good and bad the Caller-Times should regulate these comment sections more. Most of the comments are just ways of bashing others and often time victims in a situation. In other posting sections online your must stick to subject at hand and have a true comment or motion of debate. In doing this you must also act like an adult. These comment areas are just ways to create more hate and separation in this community. It is not even worth reading the Caller-Times online anymore with out being subjected to so much trash. To those who don’t agree with this just comment like usual with hate but I will not be responding to any messages at all. My only true comment is that the Caller-Times should have an option to turn these comments off for readers who wish not to partake and read the news just for news.
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related links Posted by 236565 on October 27, 2007 at 1:22 a.m.

It sure is funny what the Caller Times leaves out in their stories...like the identity of the "other guy in the tub." Its been public information that the other guy was Damon Bentley for over a month...yet NO MENTION in this joke of a paper, channel 3,6,or 10. This ridiculously slanted newspaper conveniently leaves that out. They conveniently leave out that this was Damon's girlfiend involved. They leave out that Kaelin ordered Olivarez to surrender the badge in question and Olivarez did as he was told by the Sheriff. You don't think its important to know that this so called "victim" was in a hot tub naked with her own boyfriend...HER BOYFRIEND...not Mauricio and a "mystery man." I guess that part does not sell papers. In my opinion...CELIS was set up. Its over 2 miles from Celis house to the stripes....if she was in REAL danger, why not go screaming to the next door neighbor or the hundreds of houses within 10 feet? It would be nice if the caller just reported things straight up. Patrick B's agenda is becoming all to obvious and dangerously blatant....Im sure this post will be removed.
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related links Posted by 425944 on October 27, 2007 at 8:05 a.m.

post 61

these comment boards are also a way to dig deeper and find out the truth about elected officials. Maybe people will fly right and above board when working for the public from now on. Maybe these boards will cause people to be honest in their high power positions.

There is also a lot of truth that comes out here. The posters do a great job of researching their posts. The public has a right to know when they have been scammed by politicians once again.
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related links Posted by 452228 on October 27, 2007 at 8:48 a.m.

Post 65

There is also a lot of things that totally untrue that are found on here. You throw that in with all the accusations and allegations which both the poster (who I honestly feel like most of the time know what they are typing is nothing more than their opinion be it based on fact, bias or ignorance) and then at least some of the readers actually accept them as being true. Seems like a pretty irresponsible thing for a newspaper that is supposed to be about reporting the news to be involved in promoting.

It would be great if there was a way to weed out all the things that are fabricated as well as the outright lies which you find on here but I don't really know how you can do that. While having email addresses as well as verified names of the posters for all to see might help some I don't know that would eliminate some of the things that are put on here.

I don't want to hear anything about freedom of speech either because with that comes a responsibility and in particular when you start making malicious statements about people. Public figures are pretty much free game under our laws but many of the blogs under the stories over the last few months go way to far.
My guess is that one day there will be a lawsuit filed and perhaps then the rules of this type of venue will be altered.
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related links Posted by 702497 on October 27, 2007 at 9:22 a.m.

I know Markle...he is one hell of an officer. By the book, you name it. He does not let anyone tell him what to do.

Smith's story sounds legit because I have seen this happen before.

Celis sounds like a total loser. Calling anybody to get him out of trouble. mr. "I am king and I will always get what I want because I have connections." My butt he has connections...in his make believe world he thinks big people in big places are his friends. He never asked SMith for his number. SO he got it from a third party and saved it to his phone so he could look important. Give me a brake. I think this guy is a mental case.
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related links Posted by 452228 on October 27, 2007 at 9:54 a.m.

Post 67
And your post is like far too many in that you are not even in the ballpark. It takes the same energy and effort to type things that are incorrect as it does those that are actually factual. Besides that you missed the whole point but I guess expecting that people having some level of responsibility for what they present as being factual on here is asking a little too much.

The post has nothing to do with this specific story but is a comment on what goes on over and over with respect to numerous stories. It was not a flippant post or where someone jumps from point a to point g and thinks they are all connected.
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related links Posted by 452228 on October 27, 2007 at 10:26 a.m.

post 70

We obviously don't agree in that I don't think it is correct for people through using conjecture, assumptions and rumors to make statements which are presented as though they are factual and certainly when some people read them they (right or wrong) assume them to be the truth about people.

Using your guidelines, I could post something on here about you personally and should not be libel if what I put I either know is not true or I am irresponsible and have no proof to back up what I say about you.

If you want to go start a blog and do that type of thing (there are several here in Corpus Christi that come to mind), I fully support your right to do so but even then you would be subject to the laws about slander and libelous statements (as you should be). I just don't see why a newspaper would want to stoop to that level and be a part of it by hosting this type of forum in it's current format.

Why should you feel like you have to hide and not be identified with the posts you make? You have no problem with free speech if what you are doing is not wrong under the law so it should not stop your saying the same things. Well, unless what you are saying is just something dreamed up in your mind.

Last post on this topic so from this point on you can talk to yourself and it's not like you are going to change your opinion or mine.
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related links Posted by 348998 on October 27, 2007 at 11:10 a.m.

If people don't think that there is not a "good ole' boy network" in town, they should hang out at your local stripes drunk with a naked woman. I'd bet that you'd go to jail pretty quick. At the very least all parties should have gone to jail for public intoxication, they had been drinking until 4:00 a.m.
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related links Posted by 348998 on October 27, 2007 at 11:12 a.m.

I'm post 73

Before anyone points it out I found my double negative. I need a little more coffee!
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related links Posted by 699260 on October 27, 2007 at 11:27 a.m.

Post 61, didn't you post these same comments almost word for word at "AG: Man's Law Firm Not Legal?" Rather than paste and copy, you can go back to that story and read my remarks concerning your comment. :)
related links Posted by 319401 on October 27, 2007 at 3:42 p.m.

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related links Posted by 398109 on October 27, 2007 at 4:54 p.m.

did chief smith called anyone when he was knocking on his ex-girlfriend and was accused of trying to assault her, this even after he performed at a circus-like atmosphere proposing to his girlfriend. what a fake. what ever happened to him?
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related links Posted by 389468 on October 27, 2007 at 6:43 p.m.

Bryan Smith a hero?
pleeeeeeeze!
Bryan Smith and Mauricio Celis have been chasing skirts together for some time. I'm sure their cozy relationship will be exposed for the mutually beneficial slippery slope that it is.
In spite of Bryan Smith's shady dealings, Markle stood up for the right thing.
Good job Markle.
Go home Smith!
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related links Posted by 411404 on October 28, 2007 at 12:27 p.m.

People you need to check other sources. The Caller Times has an inability to conduct an investigation into the local power elite. Why have we not heard anything about Larry Olivarez and his Costa Rica trip that led to the arrest of another sheriff? Read the real story:
Kaelin, whose deputies were called after the Sept. 15 incident that involved Celis and the naked woman, said he does not understand why Corpus Christi police allowed it to end as it did.
"How could this type of scenario — a naked woman, a Stripes (convenience) store, a man in a bathrobe — occur, and everyone goes home? No badges confiscated. No statements taken at the scene. The woman wasn't taken to a hospital," he said. "I find that very unusual."
Kaelin said that among the odder aspects of the episode was Celis calling Corpus Christi Police Chief Bryan Smith on his cell phone and then handing the phone to the lieutenant at the scene.
"The chief then had a conversation with the officer, and everyone went home," the sheriff said.
related links Posted by 319401 on October 28, 2007 at 7 p.m.

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related links Posted by 699874 on October 28, 2007 at 8:28 p.m.

post 79: excellent post.

Hooray for Kaelin...........I think he is the only one thinking clearly in this whole messy incident.
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related links Posted by 702497 on October 28, 2007 at 8:41 p.m.

Post 80....she didn't say she was raped or assaulted. The lady in the truck that the girl jumped into at the store was assuming that was what happened to her. She was partially nude so the motorist gave her a shirt to cover herself in. After that the girl took off on foot to another location and was stopped by police.
related links Posted by 319401 on October 28, 2007 at 10:57 p.m.

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related links Posted by 425944 on October 28, 2007 at 11:23 p.m.

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related links Posted by 699888 on October 29, 2007 at 8:45 a.m.

Too those who complain thier darling Smith is being unfairly treated on these blogs, well the CT staff reacted to postings on these blogs..when a poster noted tha the Chief was involved..all the sudden there appeared a story with "with Smith's spin" that he actually got the investigation going by "notifying " the sheirff> took him two weeks to figure that one out..But thats his story and he is sticking to it.
related links Posted by 319401 on October 29, 2007 at 2:40 p.m.

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related links Posted by 702497 on October 29, 2007 at 5:19 p.m.

Post 86..read post 82.

Rumors are being thrown in so many directions about what happened that night. CCPD IS investigating ALL aspects of the incident. The driver that gave the young lady a shirt ASSUMED she had been raped. The story is getting twisted and both stories may not even be 100% accurate.
related links Posted by 319401 on October 29, 2007 at 5:49 p.m.

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related links Posted by 702497 on October 29, 2007 at 7:26 p.m.

It is hard to say.

Without the actual complete facts as to what exactly happened we can only assume. And we all know where assuming gets us. Anything I state is all in opinion based on the facts that the news media is producing for the public.

My personal opinion on this is they were all drinking and a big possible chance drugs could have been involved. The time that all of this occured is another factor. There is word that the boyfriend of the young lady was the other mysterious individual in the hot tub. Why would the girlfriend freak out and yell rape if her boyfriend was with her? Why would she run the way she did? I have been stone cold drunk in my life plenty of times and have done stupid things but not once have I ever ran down a street partially naked.

Something had to have happened beyond our imaginations for this girl to react this way or she was high on drugs of some kind. There is no telling and I could be totally wrong on this. Like I said this is just my opinion from everything I have read.

I think you would have to agree that there is a fact that this Celis guy is a fraud and has pretty much ruined himself and future for now. When I think of a lawer, I think of someone with some level of integrity and honesty. I understand that all lawyers have to be able to weasel their way in the system in order to have a successful outcome for their client. Personally this is the only weaseling that I find acceptable. It is the other kind of weaseling I find disturbing. Backstabbiing, bribery, and black mailing is disgusting and kind of ruins the image of an attorney.

My friend is a defense attorney in The Valley area. He is new and still wet behind the ears. I told him I would hope that he would continue to lean on ethics as he gets bigger through the years of experience. He doesn't do drugs, which I hate to say I know of many attorneys that do.

All we can do is sit back and hope that the truth comes out and possibly wait to see which one of us had the right prediction as to what happened that night.

It makes me happy to not have all the money in the world. Look where it can get you in life. Greed is a horrible thing to live by. So is living in a make believe worlds, which I am sure all of us can agree this is what Celis has done.

I have heard some wild stories but pretending to be a cop and a lawyer and fooling politicians with campaign money really takes the cake.
related links Posted by 319401 on October 29, 2007 at 10:34 p.m.

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related links Posted by 702497 on October 30, 2007 at 7:26 p.m.

See..there are two stories that are being spread. It is hard to say which one is correct. I would hope CCPD have already interviewed this young woman thoroughly.

This is one situation I would never want to get myself wrapped up in. Money changes everything.
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related links Posted by 709494 on November 6, 2007 at 10:17 p.m.

I am not from the Corpus Christi area, I am actually from Oregon. I was very shocked when I read this article and all the comments before mine. Although I have not spoken to Damon Bentley for 3 years I was a good friend when he graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and was stationed in my town. We dated off and on and kept in touch for many years after. All of the accusations of drug use are rediculouse. I cant speak for the other individuals involved but as far as Damon is concerned I can guarantee you this man was not using any type of drugs and I am sure there is more to the story than is being told. Do you people not know that Damon is still in the US Coast Guard. You may be surprised at how often these men are tested for drug use and they are not informed of when this will take place. I have never known Damon to smoke or take any drug of any type. His carreer and business are more important to him than anything else in this world. He has worked extremly hard for what he has and would never jeopardize these two things in his life. I am so disappointed at how many of the comments I am reading are pure speculation. I am just very saddened that someone such as my old friend Damon can have so many false comments made about him. This is an individual who has worked harder for what he has than any other man I have met in my life. He is an intelligent man and respectful to woman in a way I have never seen before. If he was in fact in the hot tub and this woman was in fact accusing him or someone else of assault I believe there is way more to the story than he may be allowed to say or comment on.
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related links Posted by 319401 on November 12, 2007 at 11:25 p.m.

Post 92

The police report is available to the public by written request -- you'll find very interesting information about your friend Damon Bentley and what occured that evening. His girlfriend/fiancee also stated to the police more detailed information that can be found in the police report explaining why she took off in her chosen fashion. My only question is why the DA did not subpoena* Damon Bentley and his girlfriend/fiancee - two crucial people INVOLVED in that infamous night. Also, why doesn't the Caller Times report more information that can be found in public records? MySA has so much info concerning this topic of discussion.