Metro PD lieutenant accused of hitting pastor ex with SUV

A Metro police officer was arrested and put on administrative leave after she was accused of trying to run over her church pastor, who was also her ex-boyfriend, with her squad SUV.

Tarlisha James, 46, was charged with aggravated assault, accused of hitting a man on the morning of May 13 in an Humble apartment complex parking lot. Harris County Precinct 4 constable deputies spoke with the man while he was being treated in the hospital for a cut on his head, a broken hand, a broken rib and a broken right knee, court records show.

The man initially told police and hospital officials he fell down a set of stairs, and later that he dove out of the way of James’ car before she hit him.

After police confronted him about the extent of his injuries, the man said he had actually been hit, according to charging documents.

The man, who works as a pastor, said he had had an affair with James two years ago but had ended the romantic relationship. Still, he claimed James remained his “BFF,” or best friend forever.

Police recovered security camera footage that showed the man walking through the parking lot and a white SUV driving in his direction before he falls to the ground. The complaint doesn’t say whether the video shows the SUV hitting the man.

The SUV’s driver is then spotted helping the man up and driving him away in his own car, according to the complaint. A witness also told police James yelled and swore at the man as he was lying on the ground, according to the complaint.

James’ defense attorney, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, said her client was innocent of the charges and that she didn’t hit the man with the SUV.

“This is a big misunderstanding,” Quinones-Hollins said. “Once a thorough investigation is completed, we believe the charges will be dropped.”

James was placed on leave by the transit police agency on Monday.

“She has also surrendered her law enforcement credentials,” Metro officials said, noting the procedures were standard to any allegations and an ongoing investigation.

She has worked for Metro since at least 2007, rising through the ranks and acting as a spokeswoman at some incident scenes.

Officials said they would have no further comment as the incident was investigated.