23-Year-Old Arrested After Threatening Emails Sent to Harris County Justice Court, Constable’s Office

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 23-year-old man has been arrested on a felony retaliation charge after investigators said he sent threatening emails targeting a Harris County Justice of the Peace Court and the office of Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.

Aaron Douglas Van Auken was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 23, following an investigation by the constable’s Criminal Investigations Division.

The investigation began after clerical employees at a local Justice of the Peace Court reported receiving what the constable’s office described as alarming and threatening emails.

Investigators said the messages appeared to be retaliatory and were directed at both the Justice of the Peace Court and Herman’s office in connection with their official duties.

Detectives identified Van Auken as the suspected sender, according to the constable’s office.

Investigators said Van Auken had recently been a defendant in a civil proceeding before a Justice of the Peace Court. The constable’s office did not disclose the nature or outcome of that civil case or provide the contents of the emails.

Because the constable’s office works with the Justice of the Peace Courts, investigators determined that the office was also a target of the alleged threats.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted a third-degree felony charge of retaliation, and detectives obtained a warrant for Van Auken’s arrest.

Detectives and members of the constable’s Special Operations Unit located and arrested Van Auken on Sept. 23.

He was booked into the Harris County Jail on the retaliation charge. His bond was set at $20,000 in the 183rd District Court.