AGÕæÈ˰ټÒÀÖ

Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody Indicted By AGÕæÈ˰ټÒÀÖ County Grand Jury In Javier Ambler Case

Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody outside the sheriff's office in Georgetown.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody has been indicted by a AGÕæÈ˰ټÒÀÖ County grand jury in the case of Javier Ambler, who died in custody after a traffic stop in 2019. It's the fourth indictment in AGÕæÈ˰ټÒÀÖ County for this case.

The court indicted Chody on a third-degree felony charge of tampering with physical evidence.

Deputies pursued Ambler, a 40-year-old Black man from Pflugerville, after he failed to dim his headlights to oncoming traffic. After a 22-minute chase, deputies stopped Ambler and tasered him. Video of the incident shows him pleading with the deputies, saying he can't breathe. He died shortly after.

A film crew captured the encounter for the reality television show "Live PD." The sheriff's department had a contract with the program at the time.

Chody's indictment follows three others this week. The AGÕæÈ˰ټÒÀÖ County grand jury indicted the former general counsel for Williamson County Attorney's Office, Jason Nassour, on a third-degree felony charge of tampering with physical evidence. Two sheriff's deputies involved in the incident, James Johnson and Zachary Camden, were charged with second-degree manslaughter.

The case has been taken up in two counties because the pursuit began in Williamson County and ended in AGÕæÈ˰ټÒÀÖ.

In September, a Williamson County grand jury indicted Chody and Nassour on evidence tampering charges.

Chody's bond has been set at $15,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Allyson Ortegon is a former Williamson County reporter for KUT.
Related Content