Stalking Charge Against Former Firefighter Union Head Dismissed

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Charges against the former president of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, Christopher Steele, have been dropped. Steele was previously arrested in 2024 for allegedly stalking and threatening Valerie Frausto, who was then a candidate for San Antonio Fire Chief. Frausto would go on to become the city's first-ever female fire chief later that year.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tensions that can arise between public safety unions and city leadership, especially around high-profile appointments like the fire chief position. The dismissal of charges against Steele raises questions about the strength of the original case and the broader relationship between the firefighters' union and city officials.

The details

In June 2024, Steele was arrested and charged with stalking Frausto after she received threatening emails and text messages from someone claiming to be an "independent investigator." The messages referenced a personal relationship gone wrong and alleged that Frausto had abused her position as Fire Marshal. Police traced the messages back to Steele's IP address, leading to his arrest. However, the Bexar County District Attorney's Office has now confirmed that all charges against Steele have been officially dropped as of January 2026.

• In June 2024, Steele was arrested and charged with stalking Frausto.
• Valerie Frausto was appointed as San Antonio's first female Fire Chief in 2024.
• On January 21, 2026, the case against Steele was officially closed.