A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber informed The News Gram that he is working on accepting applications for the MCSD Explorers, a youth group of potential future Sheriff's Department employees who will be learning the finer points of working with patrol officers, and to represent the department at local community-oriented events such as the annual Feast of Sharing.

"We are presently taking applications for our Explorer group which will be a sort of Boy Scouts type program which we will use to instill good citizenship in our participants to grow up quality people and who may one day even become law enforcement officials," stated Sheriff Schmerber.

According to Schmerber, they have received quite a few applications already and all who apply, if eligible, will become a part of the organization.

Applications are being accepted for all students from Grades 9-12 ages 14-18 at both Eagle Pass High School and at CC Winn High School.

A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pas

Lieutenant Moses Peña, Interim Chief for the Eagle Pass Police Department, informed The News Gram of the arrival of four new Chevy Tahoe units which will begin to be put to use sometime next week. The units which come after the department had already put five of them into service along with another new K-9 unit. "We are happy to receive these new units and will assign two officers to each," stated the interim chief, "This way, the units will be in service for two shifts and will rest one shift in order to avoid overuse.

In Del Rio, Texas, Eduardo De La Garza, owner of Rio Bravo Construction in Eagle Pass, faces up to ten years

in federal prison after pleading guilty this morning to paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving

federal funds in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme in Maverick County

announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Victor Garcia, De La Garza admitted that in May 2011, he

submitted a $19,800 bid to Maverick County to construct a concrete pad at the intersection of Winsor Avenue

and Bianca Road in Precinct 4. DeLaGarza further admitted that he has never constructed the pad even though

he received two checks from Maverick County--a $9,900 check to commence work and then $9,900 check for

the completion of the concrete pad. Furthermore, DeLaGarza admitted that he made a cash payment to an

employee working in the Maverick County Auditor’s Office for each check he received. According to court

records, both checks were issued to De La Garza without undergoing the appropriate internal review process by

Maverick County.

DeLaGarza remains on bond pending sentencing which has yet to be scheduled.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department

of Public Safety. Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to

Maverick County are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741. Assistant United States Attorney Michael

Galdo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

In 2010 and 2011, Maverick County received hundreds of thousands of federal dollars as part of Operation

Stonegarden, a federal grant program that provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies

to enhance their capabilities to jointly secure U.S. borders and territories.