A Harris County deputy has been arrested following accusations of sexually harassing a teenage Starbucks employee, according to Texas officials. Ostin Urbina, 41, with the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office, faces a charge of official oppression as shown in court records filed on August 30.
Urbina’s attorney, Nicholas Poehl, stated: “we look forward to litigating the issue in court.”
The Houston Police Department began investigating Urbina after alleged incidents in August 2023. According to a probable cause affidavit, a teenage barista reported that Urbina used his position as a deputy to harass and stalk her. The harassment reportedly began while she was at work. On August 24, 2023, after a brief conversation where Urbina asked for her name and said he would look her up “in the (police) system,” she later found him waiting outside by her car and mentioning her home address.
According to investigators, Urbina told the barista he determined where she lived by running license plates of cars in the parking lot until finding hers. The affidavit states: “She reported telling him it was strange and he should stop stalking her,” but Urbina “persisted,” asking about her relationship status and if she wanted “someone to have fun with.” He also told her: “I’m going to be waiting for you on that street.”
Feeling uneasy, the barista returned inside Starbucks to inform co-workers and wait for Urbina to leave. Later while driving home, she was pulled over by a police car; it was Urbina again. Investigators say he discussed his marriage and asked for her Snapchat before reminding her: “just remember you turn 18 in three weeks.”
The affidavit details another incident on August 31 when Urbina allegedly pulled her over again at a different location and asked if she wanted to hang out at a park. She declined and questioned why his body camera was off; he replied it wasn’t necessary because he just wanted to talk.
Police began their investigation into Urbina on September 1, 2023. State Department of Public Safety records confirmed that Urbina looked up the teen’s license plate on August 24. Surveillance footage from Starbucks and another nearby business supported the teen’s account, investigators said. Two witnesses also corroborated the events described by the barista.
Officials from Precinct 7 acknowledged awareness of the allegations against Urbina. In a statement cited by KPRC from precinct officials: “Upon learning of these misdemeanor charges being filed, Sergeant Urbina was arrested by Precinct Seven Commanders, immediately relieved of duty, and placed on administrative leave by Constable Phillips as department protocol.” Records show that Urbina joined Precinct 7 in 2017.
