Former Eagle Pass Attorney Brian Burris arrested for theft of property

LIVE OAK COUNTY – An attorney from San Antonio recently experienced the view from the other side of the bars, following his Nov. 27 arrest on Interstate 37.

Brian Thomas Burris, 43, who has a law office in Eagle Pass, is charged with theft of property worth greater than $300,000.

Capt. John Pape of the Goliad County Sheriff’s Office, the case’s investigator, said that while the probe is ongoing, officials as of Dec. 1 had tallied the total value of cash, jewelry and precious metals stolen by Burris to be $521,699.07.

Burris, said Pape, managed West Texas Poly & Pump — which is owned by Tory Scott of Austin. 

“All of this occurred between May and October of this year,” Pape said. “Mr. Burris represented to Mr. Scott that he could get the company out of bankruptcy by paying off debts and get the company successful and profitable again. However, he needed money to pay off those people. Mr. Scott as the owner then turned over to him negotiables that were to be used to pay off the debtors.”

However, none of these financial obligations were met and Burris soon ceased communication with Scott. A warrant for Burris’ arrest, which was signed by Judge Susan Moore, was issued Oct. 24.

Burris’ profile on LinkedIn.com lists him as the “chief executive officer (managing Chapter 11 estate)” of West Texas Poly & Pump, LLC since April. In the description, Burris said he was “Trying to steer the company clear of the brutality of corporate interests abusing mid-size companies by taking advantage of the known economic cycles in the oil and gas sector and technological trickery …”

According to Live Oak County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records,  Trooper Laura Pearman of the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol at 11:54 a.m. Nov. 27, conducted a traffic stop on Burris — who was driving a black 2016 Nissan Versa — on Interstate 37 near U.S. Highway 59.

It was during that stop the trooper learned that Burris was wanted out of Goliad County. He was arrested, with the assistance of  sheriff’s deputies Paul Pearman and Brian Box. Burris subsequently was transported to the Live Oak County Jail, where he was held until Friday before posting $1 million bond.

Under the Texas Penal Code, Burris’ alleged crime is considered a first-degree felony. Therefore, he faces the possibility  — if convicted — of five to 99 years, or life, in prison.

Pape said it is unknown whether Burris has other victims or if there were other alleged thefts in other jurisdictions that involved the same victim.

Reprinted by permission of the Goliad Advance Guard and William J. Gibbs, Jr..