Ron Mitchell 9y

Jockey Chapa faces felony charges

Horse Racing

Texas jockey Roman Chapa is facing felony criminal charges related to race-fixing following allegations that he carried an electrical shock device in a winning race at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 17 in Houston.

KPRC-TV in Houston reports that Chapa has been charged with unlawful influence on racing after allegedly carrying the shock device in the stakes race he won aboard Quiet Acceleration.

According to court records cited in the story, scrutiny of a photograph showing the apparent shock device in Chapa's hand began shortly after Chapa demanded the picture be removed from the Sam Houston website.

Investigators told KPRC-TV that Chapa denies using the device during the race and claimed the picture was photo-shopped because "someone was trying to frame him."

Sam Houston officials are working with law enforcement.

"We are pleased to see the swiftness with which the Texas Racing Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Harris County District Attorney's office have moved in their investigation of Mr. Chapa's January 17th mount at Sam Houston Race Park," said Sam Houston president Andrea Young. "These sorts of actions have no place in our sport, and are a disservice to the tens of thousands of people involved in our sport who play by the rules every day. We will continue to support this investigation in every way possible."

On Jan. 19 the Texas Racing Commission summarily suspended Chapa while it conducts an investigation.

Chapa has been suspended twice previously for possessing an electrical device, which is prohibited in racing. During his first year as a jockey, Chapa was suspended for nine months in Texas for possession of contraband intended to increase or decrease the speed of his horse after he told investigators he used a nail on his horse. In 2007, he was suspended five years in New Mexico for possession of an electrical device and was reinstated on a probationary basis in May 2011 prior to completion of the suspension.

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