Command Staff

Anthony Johnson was born in Texas and raised in a military family. His father's last duty station was at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. After high school, Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army; he served three years in the nuclear warfare unit as a Sergeant. Upon completion of his military service, Johnson moved to Austin, TX to pursue his career in law enforcement. He began his career in 1980 with the Austin Police Department (APD). During his 24-year tenure, he worked in the following units: Uniformed Patrol, Organized Crime, Hispanic Crime, Gang, Street Response, Air Unit, and Special Response Team. Johnson received over 250 awards and commendations while at APD.

In 2004, Johnson worked as contract security for the U.S. government. From 2005 - 2012, he worked as a Criminal Investigator for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, assigned to the 331st District Court. In 2013, Johnson was appointed Chief Deputy of Travis County Constable Precinct 3, where he served the community and courts in many of the key administrative and operational roles.

In January 2017, he was appointed Chief Deputy for TCSO by Sheriff Sally Hernandez. With 44 years of experience in law enforcement, Johnson brings a wealth of knowledge to his position as Chief Deputy.

It is with great passion that he has spent his life serving his country and the citizens of Austin/Travis County. Johnson is very active in the community and is committed to building relationships between law enforcement and those we serve to improve safety and quality of life for all.

Johnson is the proud recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award (2014), the Professional Criminal Investigator Award (2010), the Travis County District Attorney’s Office Investigator of the Year (2008 and 2006) and a Life-Saving Award (1990). He is a member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas, FBI-LEEDA, the Austin Police Association, the Austin Police Retired Officer Association, CLEAT, AFSCME, the Texas District & County Attorney’s Association, the Justice of the Peace & Constable Association and the Capital Area Law Enforcement Executive Association, the Texas Jail Association and the Texas Chief Deputies Association. Johnson holds a Master Peace Officer License and a Firearms Instructor Certification.

Amy Ybarra spent the first 15 years of her career in private law practice with Scott Hulse, Brown McCarroll, Agthe Law and Constangy Brooks & Smith.  During that time, she represented employers and management in discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases, and advised on employment related matters to include FMLA, FLSA and OSHA.  In 2010, she was honored as a Texas Rising Star by Texas Monthly magazine (nominated and voted by peers).   

In 2014, Amy joined the Travis County Attorney’s Office, where she served on the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division, advancing to Employment Team Lead in 2020 and Director of Civil Litigation in 2023. During those years, she developed her outstanding relationship and rapport with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, advising and representing both the agency and the County in myriad matters.

In December 2024, Sheriff Hernandez appointed her to the Chief Operating Officer position where she oversees specialized support for both the Corrections and Law Enforcement Bureaus. Her managerial duties include, but are not limited to Human Resources, Finance, Inmate Medical Services, TCSO IT Services and the Training Academy.

The native Texan was born and raised in El Paso. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelors in English and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law. 

Raul S. Banasco was born in New York City and proud of his Puerto Rican, Cuban and Italian heritage. He is an accomplished senior level correctional leader with over 36 years of corrections experience in city, county and state government agencies as well as community supervision programs in non-profit agencies. Banasco began his career in 1986 with the New York State Juvenile Justice Department. In 1988, he joined the Florida State Department of Corrections (FDOC) where he served for 19 years. His duties included Correctional Officer, Classification Officer, Probation Officer, Probation Supervisor, Classification Supervisor, Assistant Warden of Operations & Programs and Warden. In addition, he served as the Director of Staff Development for over 28,000 employees throughout the State of Florida, both for Institutions and Probation & Parole services.

In 2006, he was appointed Major of the Orange County Corrections Department in Orlando, Florida. In 2008, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Osceola County Corrections Department, where he served until 2010. In 2011, Banasco joined the Bridges of America Leadership Team as Director of The Bradenton Bridge Re-Entry Facility and in 2012 promoted to Director at The Orlando Bridge Re-Entry Facility. In 2012, he was recognized for his achievements, and advanced to the Quality Management Team in the Corporate Office as the Q.M. Director of Operations providing statewide oversight.

From 2013-2016, Banasco served as Jail Administrator for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. From 2017-2018, he served as Jail Administrator for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Ft. Worth, then served as Director of Justice Services in Clayton, Missouri from 2019-2020. On January 14, 2022 Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Banasco as Major of the Corrections Bureau.

Recognized in 2006 as a “ Hispanic Pioneer”, Banasco was the first Hispanic to serve as Major of the Orange County Corrections Department. In 2016, he was honored as the National American Jail Association’s Jail Administrator of the Year.

Banasco earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Iona University in New York and continued his education at Florida Atlantic University, earning a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration. He is a Certified Public Manager, AJA Certified Jail Manager, ACA Certified Corrections Executive and Certified National Auditor & International Trainer for the American Correctional Association. In addition, he also holds both his TCOLE Peace Officer and Jailer Licenses.

Jonathan Ede was born in Monterey, California, and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. He has proudly served the citizens of Travis County for nearly two decades, beginning his career as an Adult Probation Officer for the Travis County Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

In 2007, Ede joined the Travis County Sheriff's Office. He has held a variety of assignments in diverse capacities, including Maximum Security, Building 12 Transition Team, Building 12 Facility, Complex Security/Corrections Tactical Team, Hospital Visitation Unit, Health Services Building, Central Booking Facility, and the downtown Travis County Jail (TCJ). He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the Training Academy and currently chairs the Training Advisory Committee.

Ede played a key role in the transition of staff into Building 12, the Sheriff's Office's newest, largest, and most technologically advanced facility, with a 1,336 bed capacity and over 257,000 square feet. 

In January 2017, Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Ede to the rank of Captain in the Corrections Bureau. He currently oversees operations for the Corrections Security and Mobility section, which includes the Correctional Tactical Teams, K-9 unit, Security Threat Intelligence Unit, and the Corrections Transfer and Mobilization unit.

Ede earned a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration and is a Certified Jail Manager through the American Jail Association, where he also serves as a director. He holds both Master Jailer and Master Peace Officer licenses and is a graduate of several leadership schools.

During his tenure with the Sheriff's Office, Ede has received numerous awards and accolades, including the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy, TCSLEA Supervisor of the Year, and the American Jail Association's Corrections Officer of the Year.

Edwardo Jackson, born in Austin, Texas, began his career with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 as a Security Coordinator. In 2004, he was promoted to Corrections Officer, taking on various assignments and leadership roles later in his career. His assignments included working at the Travis County Jail, TCCC Building 1, Central Booking, Courthouse Security, TCCC Building 12, Prisoner Transportation, Hospital Visitation Unit, and Inmate Services.

Jackson has held key positions such as Director of the Field Training Officer Program and Co-chair of the Awards Committee. He has been an active member of the Texas Jail Association (TJA) since 2015, where he has played a significant role in raising funds for scholarships aimed at professional development in the Corrections field. He served as President of the Texas Jail Association for the 2023-2024 term.

Jackson holds certifications as a Certified Jail Manager, Master Jailer, Peace Officer, and TCOLE Certified Instructor. He is a graduate of several leadership schools including Jail Administration Management and Operations, and National Jail Leadership Command Academy, Class #43. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, including the Texas Jail Association Distinguished Service Award (2019 and 2022) and the TCSLEA Supervisor of the Year.

In April 2022, Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Jackson as Captain in the Corrections Bureau, where he currently oversees the TCJS Compliance and Standards Unit, which consists of the Kitchen, Laundry, Warehouse, Temporary Employees, Grievances, Commissary and Life Safety.

Christina Dail began her career in the Criminal Justice field in 1993 with the City of Austin Municipal Court – Jail Information. She started at the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree from Southwest Texas State University a few months later. 

During her years as a corrections officer, she was assigned to corrections housing units, security of a correctional complex, and transportation of inmates throughout Texas and extraditions of fugitives throughout the United States. 

Dail steadily climbed in rank and supervised sections including Inmate Housing Units, Texas Guide Dog Program, Recreation, Health Services Building and Central Booking. Central Booking is where she earned perhaps her most stellar reputation, overseeing booking facility operations and addressing varied processes required during the initial phases of an arrested party’s incarceration.  

Dail holds certificates from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to include Master Peace Officer, Master Jailer, Mental Health Officer, and Certified Instructor. She is a member of both The Texas Jail Association and the American Jail Association. 

In 2014, Dail earned the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award and in 2016, she graduated from the Austin Police Department Westpoint Leadership Academy.  She was named the Travis County Sheriff’s Officers Association Supervisor of the Year in 2015 and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) Officer of the Year for Region 8B in 2016.

Dail served as the President of the Travis County Sheriff’s Officers Association from 2015 to 2023.  In 2021, she was named the CLEAT Region 8B Director and served in that capacity for a year. In 2023, she became a Certified Jail Manager through the American Jail Association.

On January 2, 2025, Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Dail to Captain in the Corrections Bureau. She has command over Inmate Housing of Buildings 1,2,3,9 and the Health Services Building. 

Dail is a legacy officer. Her father served TCSO for 24 years. She has been married to a fellow supervisor for 9 years who currently serves as a corrections sergeant. 

Juan Sandoval was born and raised in Dallas, TX. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; he served four years in the Infantry as a Weapons Platoon Sergeant. Upon completion of his service to the Marine Corps, Sandoval moved to San Antonio, TX to pursue a higher education. He graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Sandoval moved to Austin, TX in 2003 and began his career with Travis County Sheriff's Office in July of 2004. He has worked in various areas of the Sheriff’s Office as a Field-Training Officer, Honor Guard member, Training Coordinator and an Adjunct Instructor for the Training Academy with a focus on leadership training. During his employment, Sandoval was able to continue his higher education and graduated in 2009 from Texas State University with a Master of Public Administration degree.

In 2010, he promoted to Sergeant and spent most of his time at this rank assigned to the Corrections Tactical Unit. In 2014, Sandoval promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and in the following year, he was appointed to the rank of Captain assigned to the Administration and Support Bureau. In 2017, Sheriff Sally Hernandez reappointed Sandoval to continue to serve in the same capacity under her administration.

In 2022, Sandoval was reassigned to the Corrections Bureau and now oversees Building 12 and the Field Training Program.

Maria Velasquez is the oldest of seven children and spent her early years traveling both around the country and overseas while her father served in the United States Army. In 2000, Velasquez left the childcare industry and joined the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, eventually becoming a member of their Special Emergency Response Team. After gaining a solid foundation in Corrections, she began her career in 2001 with TCSO.

Since 2008, Velasquez has been a supervisor over multiple sections to include the inmate housing units, the Hospital/Visitation Unit, and the Corrections Tactical Unit. She went on to serve as Director over the Corrections Field Training Program and is currently the Co-Coordinator for the TC LEADS Program.

Velasquez holds a Master Jailer License and is a TCOLE certified instructor who teaches a variety of topics including Cultural Diversity, Ethics, Leadership, and Supervision. She is a member of both The Texas Jail Association and the American Jail Association as well as a member of FBI-LEEDA. In 2010, Velasquez became a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award. In 2023, she became a Certified Jail Manager through American Jail Association. 

On February 1, 2018, Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Velasquez to Captain in the Corrections Bureau. She has command over Inmate Logistics and Processing, which includes the Central Booking Facility, Travis County Jail, Classifications, Records, and Property.

Julio Hernandez was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Brooklyn and Miami, FL. He moved to Austin in 2000, and began his career with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in 2001. During his 22 years of service with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), Hernandez worked in various locations to include Central Booking, Patrol, Vice, Family Violence, Child Abuse, and Financial Crimes. He previously served as a sergeant and lieutenant for the TCSO Patrol division, Special Response Team, Highway Enforcement Unit, Motor unit, Lake Patrol, K-9, Vice, and SWAT.

Hernandez currently serves as the TCSO Central Command Captain. The Central Command is home to the Criminal Investigations Unit, Community Outreach Unit, Crime Scene Unit, Evidence, 911 Telecommunications, and Victim Services Unit.

Hernandez is a Master Peace Officer with an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. He is a graduate of TC LEADS and the Leadership Command College at the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. He has received multiple awards, commendations, and certifications during his law enforcement career.

Scott Crowe was born in Taipei, Taiwan. His family moved to Austin, TX in 1974 and they have been part of the Austin community ever since. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from Texas Tech University in 1990.

Crowe is a 2nd generation member of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), following in his father’s footsteps. He started in the Corrections Bureau in 1992 and was assigned to Building 2 of the Travis County Correctional Complex. While working in Corrections, he obtained his Peace Officer license after attending the Austin Community College Criminal Justice program.

In 1994, he transferred to the Law Enforcement Bureau and completed the Field Training Program. During his five years on patrol, he became a Field Training Instructor and Evaluator. In 1999, Crowe transferred to Fugitive Warrants/SWAT. While in SWAT, he participated in over 175 tactical operations and received extensive training in mission planning, explosive breaching, and became a TCOLE Instructor and Firearms Instructor.

Crowe promoted to the rank of Detective and served in Property Crimes and Major Crimes/Homicide. He was selected in 2006 as the TCSO Law Enforcement Association’s Detective of the Year. Crowe later promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he served as a Patrol Sergeant and oversaw several specialized units to include SRT, DWI, SRO, CID and SWAT. In 2019, Crowe was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to CID.

On July 8, 2022 Sheriff Hernandez appointed Crowe to the rank of Captain in the Law Enforcement Bureau where he currently serves at East Command. He has been awarded the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Association (FBI-LEEDA) Trilogy Award for successfully completing the Supervisor Leadership Institute and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class 284. 

Tom Szimanski was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. In 1994, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology with a minor in Sociology from Florida Southern. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners and played in their minor league system for three years. Playing baseball professionally enhanced his sense of teamwork and allowed him to further develop leadership skills.

After his baseball career, Szimanski worked in the private sector while pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. That pursuit brought him to Austin, TX in 2000 where he began his exemplary career with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. He started in the Corrections Bureau and was assigned to Building 1 of the Travis County Correctional Complex. While working in Corrections, he obtained his Peace Officer license from CAPCOG, graduating Salutatorian.

Szimanski transferred to the Law Enforcement Bureau in 2001 and began patrol soon thereafter. Upon completing the Field Training Program, he was assigned to West Command where he worked evening and night patrol. In 2004, he transferred to Fugitive Warrants/SWAT. While in SWAT, Szimanski participated in nearly 150 tactical operations and received extensive training in mission planning, explosive breaching, use of force, firearms, and negotiations, to name a few.

In 2009, Szimanski promoted to Detective and was assigned to Persons/Property Crime. In 2010, he transferred to Major Crimes where he investigated homicides, robberies, suicides, and sexual assaults. In 2012, he promoted to Sergeant and worked as a Patrol Supervisor. Szimanski promoted to Lieutenant in 2015 where he supervised various units to include Special Operations, SWAT/VICE, Patrol, and Criminal Investigations.

On April 10, 2019 Sheriff Hernandez appointed Szimanski to the rank of Captain in the Law Enforcement Bureau where he currently serves at West Command. Szimanski holds a Master Peace Officer License, TCOLE Instructor Proficiency and Firearms Instructor Proficiency.

A native Austinite, Virgil Villareal’s roots to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office go back to his father, Crispin Villarreal, who was an investigator in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

Villareal started his career in the Corrections Bureau, then earned his peace officers license through the TCSO Academy. In 1999, he transferred to the Law Enforcement Bureau and as a patrol deputy, he worked at both the East and West Commands. He also served in the Community Services Unit, facilitating the Citizens Academy and Neighborhood Watch program.

In 2009, Villareal was promoted to detective, and to sergeant in 2012. As a sergeant he worked night shift patrol, HEAT (traffic enforcement unit), and criminal investigations. As a criminal investigation sergeant, he led the Family Violence Unit and Persons Crimes Unit. He remained a CID supervisor until his promotion to lieutenant in September of 2021.

As a lieutenant, Villareal worked on a patrol shift, criminal investigations, and the courthouse. His most recent lieutenant assignment was at CID. He has supervised each CID unit.

On November 21, 2024, Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Villarreal to the rank of Captain. He holds certifications as a master peace officer, crime prevention inspector, mental health officer, and instructor. He attended the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy and other leadership courses. He has over 31 years of service to TCSO and the citizens of Travis County.