HOUSTON—Soon after May Walker took the oath to become the Precinct 7 Constable, she called on pastors to serve as volunteers.

Now one of those pastors, Rev. Ronald Smith, is in a lot of trouble.

Smith was not speaking publicly Wednesday, but local activist Quanell X detailed the charges levied against him: That he impersonated an officer of the law.

“We will not allow a good man’s name to be dragged through the mud. We will fight this,” Quanell X said.

“We believe this is nothing more than a political vendetta and a political witch hunt that is coming out of Precinct 7,” he said.

The community service group established by Walker was called “Ministers Supporting Precinct 7.”  Walker gave members photo IDs and honorary clergy badges.

But she asked Smith to return his badge last May.

Walker did not want to discuss the charges against Smith on camera, but she pointed out that the reverend was charged by another agency, not hers.

She also claimed Smith had been bad-mouthing her in the community, asking why she would have someone who has been “verbally degrading her” as part of her own group?

“It’s the privilege of this office,” Walker said. “If we don’t think someone’s fit to be a volunteer, we don’t have to let them.”

And that stance leaves Smith in legal limbo over a badge.