A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

Hundreds gathered at the Old Maverick County Court House on the 365th District Court before The Honorable Amado Abascal on Friday as former JP Cesar Perez was before the judge in what was believed to be an arraignment hearing.

"It was my understanding that today was Pre-trial," stated Perez' counsel Earl Herring as prosecutor Robert Little and the team of attorneys surrounding Perez began to deliberate why they are lacking evidence in the case.

As far as the language which was being bantered about in a crowded courtroom could be heard, two motions were filed by the defense, one of conflict of interest and the other a motion to withdraw which were heard and acknowledged by Judge Abascal.

Attorneys said that the two secretaries who were also charged in the case, Elisa Martinez and Martha Zamarripa had already been arraigned days earlier.

Little stated that the Pre-trial motions and all evidence in this case are presently in boxes in Austin and that defense has received a disk with documents which were given to Perez.

Herring questioned the fact that there may be recorded statements which he made clear he had not received.

"There are statements, but I haven't received them," added Little, "But I have been informed of the gist of what they are."

"I want them and I have not received the affidavit," rebutted Herring.

Perez' attorneys also mentioned that they are having trouble opening some of the documents sent on the disk.

Little informed Judge Abascal that defense has answered all inquiries and that they had been cooperative thus far before the judge confirmed that the next hearing will be on April 2nd at 1:30 P.M.

CB

EAGLE PASS, Texas – An Eagle Pass woman is in custody after attempting to smuggle more than a dozen assault rifles out of the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry selected a 1995 Ford F-150 pickup truck for inspection as the vehicle was leaving the United States, bound for Mexico, Thursday afternoon. During the initial inspection CBP Officers referred the vehicle for an intensified inspection after discovering what appeared to be weapons within the vehicle.

With the assistance of electronic imaging equipment and a CBP canine, officers discovered a total of 14 assault rifles hidden in the pickup. The weapons and driver, a 52-year-old U.S. citizen, were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.

“Preventing firearms from illegally being exported from the United States is an important function of CBP officers at the Port of Entry,” said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass. “Every weapon our officers seize helps to ensure the safety of our border communities.”

Washington, D.C.:

The office of Congressman Pete Gallego (TX-23) today releasedthe first of a series of infographs to highlight the sequester. The infographs are an attempt to communicate the devastating effects of the sequester in a way that is more visually appealing. The first in the series focuses on the impact of the sequester to Border Patrol and Customs Border Protection.

“It is ironic to me that people at present so concerned with border security aren’t doing more to avert the sequester,” said Congressman Pete Gallego. Sequestration is one of the biggest threats to border security.

I represent the district with the largest share of the U.S.-Mexico border in the country. CD 23 encompasses the Ports of Entry in Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Presidio, and Fabens. Agents could be furloughed at these vital ports.

Trade, commerce, constituents, and tourists could experience wait times of 5 hours at our ports - hurting our economy.”

Click here to see: “The Sequester and You: Impact to Border Patrol and Customs Border Protection.”

Congressman Gallego will also give his first floor speech today at approximately 5:30PM EST. In his speech, Congressman Gallego will focus on the impact of the sequester to Texas. It will be televised on CSPAN.