Executive Bureau

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 41 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.

Craig Smith was born and raised in Austin, TX. He began his career with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. He worked in the Corrections Bureau prior to transferring to the Law Enforcement Bureau, as a patrol deputy sheriff and a field-training officer.

In 1998, Smith moved to the Narcotics Unit where he worked as an Undercover Narcotics Investigator, later attending the Drug Enforcement Agency Academy in Quantico, VA to become a certified methamphetamine laboratory expert. In 2001, he moved to the SWAT Team and attended training in Tactical Leadership presented by United States Army DELTA, and quickly became a team leader. Smith moved to the Training Academy in 2005 as an Instructor in firearms, defensive tactics, narcotics, arrest search and seizure and search warrants. He promoted to Detective in 2006 and worked in the Major Crimes Unit; his duties included the investigation of homicides, suicides and sexual assaults.

In 2010, Smith promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to a patrol shift as well as command over the Special Response Team. In 2014, he promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, assigned to the East Command Special Operations Division; he oversaw the K-9 Unit, DWI Unit, Estray Livestock Unit, Auto Theft Task Force, East Criminal Investigations and the Special Response Team. Smith promoted to Captain in 2015 and oversaw the East Command; which entailed daily operations of the East Patrol Division, Investigations Division and Special Operations. In 2017, he became the Captain of the Central Command, overseeing Homicide, Sex Crimes, Intelligence, SWAT, VICE, Dispatch, Evidence, Crime Lab and Technology.

On March 1, 2019, Sheriff Sally Hernandez appointed Smith as Major of the Law Enforcement Bureau. On June 1, 2022, he made a lateral movement to become Major of the Administration & Support Bureau.

Smith holds a Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement Organizational Leadership. He is a graduate of the first TC-LEADS Leadership Academy, the FBI National Academy - Session 278, the LEMIT Leadership Command College - Class 87, and has attended the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy. Smith holds a TCOLE Master Peace Officer License, Instructor License, Firearms Instructor License and Special Investigator License. He is also a graduate of the Department of Public Safety’s Advanced Physical Fitness and Readiness Institute.

Raul S. Banasco is an accomplished senior level correctional leader with over 35 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 College 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.