A longtime officer with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with an alleged embezzlement scheme at Houston’s Highland Village Shopping Center, according to court records. Sergeant William A. Vides, 44, faces three forgery charges and one count of felony theft involving more than $300,000.
Allegations of Forgery and Theft
Court documents allege that Vides engaged in a “scheme and continuing course of conduct” to misappropriate funds from Highland Village between January and August 2023. The theft charge alone involves over $300,000, while a civil lawsuit accuses him of embezzling more than $4.38 million through fraudulent payments and business dealings.
The lawsuit, filed by Highland Village Management LLC, claims Vides used shell entities such as Will Vides Properties LLC and WV Systems LLC to conceal diverted funds. Properties in Rosenberg and Richmond, Texas, are listed among the alleged purchases tied to the scheme.
Sheriff’s Office and Internal Investigation
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Vides has been on administrative leave since December 2024 while an internal affairs investigation proceeds.
“The findings of that investigation will be presented to the sheriff’s administrative discipline committee to determine whether any policies were violated and whether to recommend any disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination,” said Senior Deputy Thomas M. Gilliland.
Court Proceedings and Civil Suit
Vides is being held in the Harris County Jail on bonds totaling $145,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 30, 2025.
In addition to the criminal case, the civil lawsuit seeks to recover millions in alleged losses and requests a constructive trust on the properties linked to Vides. The suit also accuses him of falsifying overtime hours and forging checks for personal gain.
Defense Denies Wrongdoing
Attorneys for Vides and his affiliated companies have denied all allegations, arguing that the payments were legitimate compensation and authorized by Highland Village. They claim the shopping center’s management, not Vides, is responsible for any financial irregularities.
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Vides has pleaded not guilty to all four criminal charges, which include:
- Theft of $300,000 or more
- Forgery to obtain property/services between $2,500 and $30,000
- Two counts of forgery to obtain property/services between $750 and $2,500
Houston Police Leading Criminal Investigation
The Houston Police Department, which carried out the arrest, is leading the ongoing criminal investigation. Federal agencies have not yet been reported as involved.
As proceedings move forward, the case against Sergeant Vides highlights significant questions about oversight within private security operations managed by law enforcement officers in Houston’s upscale commercial districts.
