WITNESS TAMPERING BY FAKE ATTY

BY SNN.BZ STAFF

Bexar County, Texas. The incident occurred on January 23, 2024, in the 187th District Court, presided over by Judge Stephanie Boyd. Henry B. Berrocal, a 42-year-old San Antonio resident, was removed (“stopped”) from the courtroom after being caught tampering with a jury pool during a kidnapping trial.

Berrocal falsely identified himself as both an attorney and a federal employee, despite being out on bond for a separate felony charge. This led to his brief handcuffing, ejection from the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center, and subsequent bond revocation. Below is a comprehensive summary of the case, drawing from court proceedings, sheriff’s office statements, and media coverage. Note that Berrocal has a history of filing pro se lawsuits against involved parties, including Judge Boyd, indicating ongoing legal disputes as of 2025.

Background on Henry Berrocal

Personal Details: Henry B. Berrocal is a Bexar County resident with a documented history of legal troubles, including multiple pro se (self-represented) civil rights lawsuits filed in federal court. He is not a licensed attorney in Texas or federally, nor is he a verified federal employee. Court records show he has been involved in several cases alleging constitutional violations while incarcerated or on bond.
Prior Charges: Berrocal was arrested in late 2023 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (a second-degree felony under Texas Penal Code § 22.02), stemming from an incident involving a firearm. He was released on bond but violated its conditions, including restrictions on court access and conduct. His bond was initially set lower but was dramatically increased following the courtroom incident.

The Courtroom Incident (January 23, 2024)

Context: The event unfolded during jury selection (voir dire) for a high-profile kidnapping trial in Judge Boyd’s 187th District Court at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center in San Antonio. The proceedings were livestreamed on Judge Boyd’s personal YouTube channel, which captured the confrontation in real-time and has since been viewed thousands of times.
What Happened:
- Berrocal, who had no official role in the case, was observed approaching and speaking to potential jurors in the hallway outside the courtroom, effectively tampering with the jury pool—a serious violation that could compromise the trial’s fairness.
- Court bailiffs and attorneys alerted Judge Boyd, who halted proceedings to question Berrocal on the livestream.
- When confronted, Berrocal claimed he was a “federal employee” but could provide no identification, credentials, or proof. He also implied he was acting in an official capacity, which attorneys in the courtroom disputed.
- An attorney involved in the kidnapping case (representing the defendant) informed Judge Boyd that Berrocal had previously impersonated an attorney, including visiting her client in Bexar County Jail under false pretenses as legal counsel. This raised concerns about unauthorized access to inmates and potential witness tampering.
- Judge Boyd ordered Berrocal handcuffed briefly for security while she verified his status. She determined he was not authorized to be there and banned him from the entire Justice Center, effectively “stopping” him from further participation or access.
Immediate Impact on the Trial: Due to the tampering, Judge Boyd reset jury selection for the kidnapping case, delaying the trial by at least a week. This caused logistical issues for prosecutors and defense, highlighting the disruption caused by Berrocal’s actions.

Bond Violation and Aftermath

Bond Revocation Hearing: Shortly after the incident (around January 17-23, 2024), Berrocal appeared before 437th District Court Judge Joel Perez for a bond violation hearing related to his aggravated assault charge. Evidence presented included:
- Violation of bond conditions prohibiting court interference or unauthorized contact.
- Confirmation of his jail visits: While no in-person attorney visits were recorded, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Berrocal had conducted video visitations with inmates while out on bond, posing as an attorney. The Sheriff’s Office stated they were investigating these visits and would share findings if they confirmed impersonation.
Bond Increase: Judge Perez revoked Berrocal’s original bond and increased it to $500,000, leading to his immediate re-incarceration in Bexar County Jail. As of the latest records (up to August 2025), Berrocal remains in custody, with ongoing proceedings in his assault case.
Additional Charges Considered: Prosecutors indicated potential new charges for jury tampering (a felony under Texas Penal Code § 36.04), unauthorized practice of law (Texas Penal Code § 38.122), and false impersonation of a public servant (Texas Penal Code § 37.11). No formal indictments for these were reported by August 2025, but investigations continued.

Related Legal Actions by Berrocal

Berrocal has been active in filing lawsuits, often pro se, against court officials involved in his cases, alleging civil rights violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Key filings include:

Berrocal v. Bexar County Adult Detention Center et al. (5:2023-cv-01318, W.D. Tex., filed October 17, 2023): A habeas corpus petition challenging his detention conditions and bond revocation. The case is ongoing, with motions for judgment on the pleadings.
Berrocal et al. v. San Antonio Police Department Headquarters et al. (5:2023-cv-01319, W.D. Tex., filed October 17, 2023): A civil rights suit alleging misconduct by law enforcement during his arrest and jail visits. In May 2025, the court issued an order conditionally granting a motion for judgment on pleadings, requiring Berrocal to amend his complaint by June 6, 2025.
Berrocal v. Boyd et al. (1:24-cv-07172, S.D.N.Y., filed September 2024; transferred to W.D. Tex.): Berrocal sued Judge Stephanie Boyd, Judge Joel Perez, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, claiming constitutional violations related to the courtroom ejection, bond increase, and denial of due process. The case was transferred to the Western District of Texas in September 2024 for improper venue, as events occurred in San Antonio. It remains pending as of August 2025.
Berrocal v. Bondi et al. (5:25-cv-00279, W.D. Tex., filed March 14, 2025): Another civil rights action against Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and others, possibly related to broader claims of federal involvement in his “federal employee” assertions. Details are limited, but it appears tied to his impersonation claims.

These lawsuits portray Berrocal as alleging a conspiracy against him, including biased judicial treatment and unlawful detention. However, courts have noted deficiencies in his pleadings, such as lack of standing and improper venue.

Broader Context and Implications

Judge Boyd’s Court Practices: The incident occurred amid scrutiny of Judge Boyd’s livestreaming of proceedings on YouTube (over 14,600 subscribers at the time). While the stream captured the event transparently, it has led to separate recusals in other cases due to concerns over online comments influencing impartiality. Boyd has defended her approach as promoting courtroom transparency.
Public and Legal Reaction: The case drew local media attention for highlighting vulnerabilities in courthouse security and the risks of unauthorized individuals posing as officials. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office emphasized their review of video logs to prevent future impersonations. Berrocal’s actions were seen as a direct threat to judicial integrity, especially in a felony trial.
Current Status (as of August 26, 2025): Berrocal is incarcerated at Bexar County Adult Detention Center. His aggravated assault trial is pending, with no trial date set. Federal cases are in early stages, with deadlines for amendments passed or approaching. No updates on additional charges from the impersonation incident, but investigations into jail visits concluded without public resolution.

This case underscores issues of courtroom security, bond compliance, and the unauthorized practice of law in Texas.

Media Sources:

KSAT News, “Man accused of impersonating attorney tampers with jury pool, alleged to have visited inmates in Bexar County jail,” January 24, 2024.
Justia Dockets, Berrocal v. Boyd (24-CV-7172) and related cases, 2023-2025. 3 source
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office statements via KSAT, January 2024.