11.29.09

A Montgomery County custodial employee is facing felony charges after allegedly accepting money in exchange for approving unperformed community services hours.

A county grand jury indicted Jacqueline Lanell Felder, 42, of Conroe, on charges of bribery Thursday. Bribery is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

According to her indictment, on Oct. 6, she allegedly “accept(ed) or agree(d) to accept … money from Jose Montiel … concerning approval of community service hours for Jose Montiel.” The indictment also states she is a public servant as a Montgomery County Custodial Department employee.

Montiel is currently serving probation on a possession of controlled substance charge stemming from a 2006 incident, according to Montgomery County District Clerk records.

When the Public Integrity Unit of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office learned of the allegations an investigation was launched, First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant said.

“We initiated a proactive internal affairs investigation and we were successful in that we found evidence to bring before the grand jury,” Grant said.

The investigation found that Felder allegedly offered to credit Montiel his required community service time in exchange for money. Grant would not elaborate on the amount.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested Felder on the charges and she posted a bond of $10,000. As a result of her arrest, the county Human Resource department placed Felder on paid leave.

When the grand jury handed down the indictment last week, Human Resources began processing Felder’s termination from her position as operations manager, said Wayne Mack, director of building and custodial services.

Mack is Felder’s boss and he is shocked that Felder is facing charges. She has worked for the county for 15 years and has been an outstanding employee, he said.

“She is a good person who may have made a very bad mistake,” Mack said.

To Mack’s knowledge, the alleged exchange is an isolated incident. He does not know how the accusations reached the District Attorney’s office but he calls the entire ordeal “disappointing” and “embarrassing” for his department.

“I don’t really know what to say,” Mack said. “I’ve never had an employee arrested before.”

No attorney is listed for Felder in court records and Felder could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

According to Montgomery County Clerk records, Felder has faced multiple misdemeanor charges for theft by check and theft of property over the years. Most cases were dismissed, but it appears she was found guilty twice.