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VIDOR — A local law firm representing Orange County Constable Matt Ortego released a statement saying the constable entered a mental health facility for treatment and that rumors he pointed a gun at children while intoxicated were false.

The statement was posted on attorney Cory Crenshaw’s social media page Sunday in reference to an incident last week where law enforcement officers were called on Ortego for allegedly being intoxicated and threatening children with a gun.

“To the best of our knowledge, investigators have interviewed all witnesses who were at his home at the time of the incident and determined that NO threat was made to any child or adult, other than a threat Constable Ortego made to himself,” Crenshaw’s post read.

Crenshaw said there is zero evidence the weapon was discharged or pointed at any child.

He said Ortego loves his children and would never do anything to harm a child.

“Should our understanding of the investigation change, then Constable Ortego will be happy to fully cooperate with investigators, and he is fully committed to getting treatment as recommended by health professionals,” Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw believes rumors are being spread that lack merit and are for political purposes.

Orange Newsmedia has reached out to Crenshaw’s office, Ortego’s office and the Orange County District Attorney’s office seeking updates on how constable duties are being handled and what local residents need to know about office responsibilities.

Vidor Police Department confirmed last week they are investigating an incident in which a local constable allegedly pulled a gun and threatened to shoot several children while intoxicated.

The incident report released by VPD shows a call made at 1:05 a.m. Nov. 26 from a woman who said her child called her crying and that said her ex-husband, Matt Ortego, pulled a gun out and threatened to shoot her child and other children in the home and that Ortego was “extremely intoxicated.”

About two minutes later the caller arrived on scene and told dispatch she heard a loud bang.

Then at 2:11 a.m. the dispatcher comments show the male subject, Ortego, was being taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

Five Vidor police units and one Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the home on Timberlane.
Ortego is the Orange County Precinct 4 Constable. Earlier this year he announced his intent to run for reelection, as has Orange County Sheriff’s Capt. Joey Jacobs. The primary election is in March.

No arrests were made at the time and the case is under investigation.