Harris County Sheriff's Sergeant Arrested on Fugitive Warrant

Sgt. John Black charged with sending explicit photos to underage teen in Florida

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:39am

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A 46-year-old sergeant with the Harris County Sheriff's Office was arrested on Monday and charged as a fugitive from Florida, where he is allegedly accused of sending sexually explicit photos of himself to an underage teen. Sgt. John Black, who has worked for the department since 2003, was taken into custody from the HCSO's Internal Affairs Division offices and has been relieved of duty pending an internal investigation.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about the conduct of a veteran law enforcement officer and the potential abuse of his position of authority. It also highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement agencies face in addressing allegations of misconduct within their own ranks.

The details

According to authorities, Sgt. John Black was arrested on an out-of-state warrant issued by the Leon County Sheriff's Office in Tallahassee, Florida. Black is accused of sending sexually explicit photos of himself to an underage teen in Florida. He was taken into custody from the offices of the HCSO's Internal Affairs Division and has been relieved of duty pending an internal investigation. Black has hired a Houston-based attorney to represent him.

  • Sgt. John Black was arrested around 2 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026.
  • Black appeared in Harris County court for a probable cause hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
  • Black's next court date has been set for February 11, 2026.

The players

Sgt. John Black

A 46-year-old sergeant with the Harris County Sheriff's Office who has worked for the department since 2003 and is licensed to serve as both a peace officer and a jailer.

Leon County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Tallahassee, Florida that issued the warrant for Sgt. Black's arrest.

Justin Alan Keiter

A Houston-based attorney with Keiter Law Firm LLC who has been hired to represent Sgt. Black.

Jason Spencer

The senior policy and communications advisor with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

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What they’re saying

“As is standard procedure, the results of an ongoing internal affairs investigation will be presented to the Administrative Disciplinary Committee to determine whether further disciplinary action – up to and including possible termination – is appropriate.”

— Jason Spencer, Senior Policy and Communications Advisor, Harris County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on February 11, 2026 whether to allow Sgt. Black to be extradited to Florida to face the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of law enforcement agencies thoroughly investigating allegations of misconduct within their own ranks and holding officers accountable for any unethical or illegal behavior, in order to maintain public trust and uphold the integrity of the law enforcement profession.