EDINBURG, Texas (VALLEY CENTRAL) – A former Edinburg High School football player will serve a year in community supervision after he tackled a referee in 2020.
Emmanuel Duron pleaded no contest to a charge of assault causing bodily injury after he was seen tackling referee Alfredo “Fred” Gracia during a playoff high school football game between Edinburg High School and PSJA High School on Tuesday morning. No complaint was made.
On December 3, 2020, Duron tackled Gracia, who was sent off for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Mr. Duron will be sentenced to deferred adjudication and ordered to serve one year of community supervision. During this time, conditions include avoiding places and people of a harmful nature, paying fines, and maintaining employment.
The former football star will also not be eligible to possess firearms or ammunition.
In December 2022, Gracia filed a lawsuit against Duron, the Rio Grande Texas Sports Officials Association, and the Southwest Officials Association. Gracia claims the assault caused her embarrassment, pain, and mental and physical damage.
“As a direct result of the assault, Mr. Gracia suffered severe, life-altering injuries,” the complaint states.
Mr. Gracia is seeking financial relief in excess of $1 million.
Mr. Duron has an active case related to manufacturing and delivering controlled substances and was arrested in February on separate assault charges.
