Bail Bond Board Gives Villarreal A Reprieve and A 45 Day Suspension

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Ricky Villarreal and Freedom/Libertad Bail Bonds are temporarily out of the bail bond business after the Tom Green County Bail Bond Board voted unanimously to allow a self suspension for the next 45 days.  

According to bail bond board chair Dianna Spieker Villarreal agreed to suspend writing bonds for 45 days while he receives training and is audited.  

Villarreal was investigated by the Tom Green County Sheriff’s office.  Evidence from that investigation showed that Villarreal falsified documents and improperly used vehicles as collateral for bonds among other violations of local and state law.  

The bail bond board licenses bail bondsmen who do business in Tom Green County.  The agenda Tuesday called for the board to begin proceedings to suspend Villarreal’s license.  As we reported earlier, Ken W. Good with the Good law firm represents International Fidelity Insurance Company which underwrites Villarreal.  

Good told the board he had been working with Villarreal to correct the issues.  

Spieker says Villarreal can’t write bonds until midnight on December 29, 2016.  

Spieker also says the criminal investigation into Villarreal’s actions has been turned over to the District Attorney’s office and the D.A. could present the case to a Grand Jury.  

Tom Green County Sheriff’s investigator William Fiveash conducted the investigation and presented a summary letter to the board.  

Fiveash’s letter ended this way, “Again, the investigation into Ricky Villarreal, dba Freedom/Libertad Bail Bonds has been completed, and the findings have been forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for review and prosecution.  I hope that with the totality of the events that have been brought to light, the District Attorney’s office will believe the same as I, that Ricky Villarreal, dba Freedom/Libertad Bail Bonds, falsely made and presented the 17.19 affidavits, with knowledge they were false and with intent to affect the course or outcome of the investigation or official proceeding, and proceed with prosecution.”  

Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace J.P. McGuire is on the Bail Bond board.  He asked if actions by Villarreal were felonies.  Chief Deputy Pearce said yes.