WCSO deputy pleads guilty in 2019 excessive force case, gets 18 months probation

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Williamson County Sheriff's deputy entered a guilty plea on charges of official oppression and assault in connection with an excessive force case from 2019, according to a news release from District Attorney Shawn Dick's office.

The plea agreement included a 12-month county jail sentence. However, the sentence will be probated for 18 months, meaning WCSO deputy Christopher Pisa will spend six days in county jail. He will spend three of those days immediately and then the remaining three "on the anniversary of his offense next April," as a condition of his probation, the release said.

In addition to his probation, Pisa has to permanently surrender his peace officer's license, according to the DA. Pisa is required to complete 200 hours of community service, as well as a "written letter of apology."

On April 21, 2019, Pisa, 29, pulled over a vehicle for a traffic stop, due to the vehicle not having a front license plate, the release said. The driver of the vehicle, Imani Nembhard, 29, had her two children in the backseat.

Pisa was "under the assumption that the children were required to be in car safety seats" and then asked Nembhard to get out of her vehicle. That is when Pisa grabbed her and tried to handcuff her "without lawful cause," the release said,

Nembhard then "questioned Pisa's actions," and he then "forcibly" got her out of the vehicle and "violently" slammed her to the ground, the release said. He then put "his knee on Nembhard's arm and grabbed her by her hair as he tried to handcuff her."

Nembhard was arrested and charged with assault on a public servant, as well as a misdemeanor of resisting arrest, the release said. The DA's office declined the felony charge and then requested the Texas Rangers "to investigate Pisa's action," the release said.

Following the investigation, Pisa was indicted by a grand jury in Williamson County on Oct. 15, 2020 for "the misdemeanor offenses of official oppression and assault," the release said.

Following his indictment, Pisa was rehired in January 2021 by WCSO Sheriff Mike Gleason on administrative duty, saying Pisa could have his job back until he had his day in court.