CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Kleberg County District Attorney's office continues to handle cases despite the fact that it's working with only three attorneys right now.
In a small office that's a big deal because that represents 40 percent of the attorney staff.
The office is now turning to outside help from surrounding counties and even the State Attorney General's Office.
That office will prosecute a former DPS Trooper Andrew Smith for aggravated sexual assault of a child, that could land him behind bars for life.
The state AG's Office is going to handle the case because of the manpower shortage at the Kleberg County DA's office and the help that is welcomed by District Attorney John Hubert.
Kleberg County DA John Hubert sat down with assistant DA Vince Gonzalez to discuss a few cases they are working on. Both have had to take on more work after one prosecutor died back in December and now another one is on medical leave. That means three attorneys are left to handle all of the cases, but DA Hubert has been able to call on outside help.
"We have the Attorney General coming in on several cases to help us out," Hubert said. "We have the Hidalgo County occasionally loans us an attorney to help some cases."
Former DPS Sgt. Andrew Smith was arrested in January 2021 on a charge of indecency with a child sexual contact. Since that time additional charges have been filed. Now, the ex-state trooper is facing seven counts of child sex crimes including aggravated assault of a child under 14 years old. That alone carries a possible penalty of life behind bars.
"I expect this case to be resolved probably by summer but definitively by the end of this year," Hubert said.
The District Attorney appreciates the AG's help and says they're used to handling very complex and difficult cases.
Hubert added that he's still looking to hire an attorney to help with the caseload and ensure justice is moving swiftly in Kleberg County.
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