FBI joins investigation into Houston-area evidence destroyed

The FBI has joined the investigation into a deputy constable's destruction of more than 20,000 pieces of evidence in Houston-area cases.

FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap said Tuesday that the federal agency is coordinating with Harris County authorities in a review.

District Attorney Devon Anderson last Friday announced hundreds of criminal cases are in jeopardy after the evidence was destroyed during cleanup of a property room. Anderson said Cpl. Christopher Hess has been fired.

An attorney for Hess has said the deputy constable was following orders when he cleaned out the property room.

Anderson said so far about 150 cases have been dismissed due to the loss of evidence.

A defense attorney, Paul Morgan, requested that federal investigators join the review.

Anderson on Tuesday said her office welcomes any outside investigation.

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