Former River Oaks police sergeant indicted on civil rights violation charge
A former River Oaks police sergeant who is accused of assaulting a person under arrest at the city’s jail when he was employed by the department has been indicted on a criminal offense alleging a civil rights violation of a person in custody.
A grand jury in August indicted Cristobal Meza, 42, in connection with a June 10 encounter with Matthew MacDonald, 48, whom the indictment alleges Meza, the sergeant, assaulted.
Before his arrival at the jail, MacDonald was stopped in connection with a criminal mischief investigation and arrested on an outstanding warrant, according to River Oaks police Deputy Chief Eric Perkins.
The precise elements of the encounter between Meza and MacDonald are not clear. MacDonald appears to have purple and black eyelids in a booking photo.
Sgt. Meza resigned while an internal affairs investigation was incomplete. The investigation began after a complaint of excessive force was filed, according to the department. Meza’s resignation was effective July 7.
The complaint alleged a violation of departmental policy regarding the use of force.
The matter was referred to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for review, according to the department. The findings were presented to a grand jury.
River Oaks Police Department hired Meza in September 2015.
The district attorney’s office is prosecuting men on both sides of the encounter. MacDonald was charged with resisting arrest in connection with the June 10 jail encounter. The state accuses him of kicking Meza.
Reagan Wynn, Meza’s retained defense attorney, wrote in response to a reporter’s inquiry that his client is “a veteran law-enforcement officer who has dedicated his life to protecting the community.
“The force Cris and his fellow officers used in the River Oaks Jail on June 10, 2025, was reasonable and legally justified as a response to the aggressive and threatening conduct of the alleged injured party, a confirmed gang member and convicted felon with a history of violence.
“We look forward to having a Tarrant County jury hear all of the relevant facts and are confident they will ultimately determine Cris committed no crime in discharging his duties as a sergeant with the River Oaks Police Department.”
River Oaks police Chief Charles Stewart wrote that his department prioritizes integrity.
“While we cannot comment on the specifics of an ongoing criminal matter, we want to assure the public that we are fully committed to accountability and transparency. We hold our officers to the highest standards of professional conduct and will continue to cooperate with the district attorney’s office in this matter,” Stewart wrote.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM.
