Area criminal defense attorney Rife Kimler, 48, was arrested Friday for hindering the apprehension of a young woman at his Nederland residence.
According to a probable cause affidavit, authored by Deputy Sheriff Jonta Miller on Dec. 7, Kimler "did intentionally and knowingly commit the offense of hindering apprehension at 1023 Chicago, Nederland, Jefferson County, Texas 77627."
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Kimler turned himself in on Friday, following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
The affidavit says that on Nov. 22, Miller and another deputy confronted Kimler outside his residence, advising him that they were attempting to apprehend Danielle Slaughter, 27, who was charged with three counts of theft.
According to the affidavit, Kimler displayed nervous behavior and told the peace officers Slaughter was in Louisiana.
Suspicious that he was lying, the deputy's parked nearby and kept surveillance on Kimler's residence. The affidavit states that 45 minutes later, Slaughter walked out of the attorney's home and was placed under arrest.
"Slaughter informed me (Miller) Kimler intentionally hid her away from police," the affidavit states. "Slaughter also informed me Kimler said he would ... do (whatever it takes) for her not to go back to jail. Slaughter went on to say Kimler dropped her bonds because she would not have sex with him."
The affidavit was obtained from the office of Justice of the Peace Nancy Beaulieu.
Kimler's Facebook page states he received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1990.