On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished Russell Prasifka, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 in Pleasanton, Atascosa County, for inappropriate conduct that violated judicial standards. The decision followed a review of allegations during the Commission’s meeting on April 2-3, 2025.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Russell Prasifka,” with case number 25-0391.
The incident occurred on December 7, 2024, at the Atascosa County Jail. After completing magistrate duties, Judge Prasifka entered the booking area and offered to tell a joke to Sergeant Christopher Rodriguez, with Corporal Javier Sandoval and Officer Emily Gonzales present. Pointing to Officer Gonzales, he indicated she could hear the joke as well. He then made a sexually explicit remark involving a gesture with his hand, which he concluded by referencing himself. The comment left Officer Gonzales feeling deeply uncomfortable and disrespected, particularly as a female officer.
On December 10, 2024, Officer Gonzales filed a formal complaint with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, supported by incident reports from Sergeant Rodriguez and Corporal Sandoval. In his response to the Commission, Judge Prasifka acknowledged telling the joke, which he had heard at a comedy show, but denied directing it specifically at Officer Gonzales. He expressed regret for the discomfort and disrespect caused.
The Commission found that Judge Prasifka’s actions violated Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires judges to be patient, dignified, and courteous in their official interactions. Additionally, his conduct was deemed willful and damaging to the judiciary’s reputation, contravening Article V, Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution. The Commission concluded that the inappropriate joke undermined public confidence in the judicial system.
The public admonition was issued under the authority of Article V, Section 1-a(8) of the Texas Constitution, as part of the Commission’s efforts to uphold judicial integrity and protect public trust.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
