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FORMER EAGLE PASS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE SENTENCED
FOR ROLE IN CITY CREDIT CARD FRAUD SCHEME
This morning, former City of Eagle Pass Department of Public Works employee Edgar Aguilar was sentenced
to 42 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $68,373.87 in restitution for his role in a credit card fraud
scheme involving the City of Eagle Pass announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Federal Bureau
of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.
On November 29, 2012, Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit credit card fraud. By
pleading guilty, Aguilar admitted that during 2011, he obtained five City of Eagle Pass-owned “Fuelman” credit
cards designated for fuel purchases for Public Works department vehicles and distributed them to his codefendants.
The defendants then used those cards to purchase fuel for their own vehicles and to purchase fuel
for others at the City’s expense. In some instances, defendants charged individuals a reduced rate for fuel
purchased using the City’s credit card, and then pocketed the cash.
Co-defendants Rene Castillo, Armando Ojeda Nuncio, and Ricardo Hernandez-Espinoza have all pleaded guilty
to use of unauthorized access device. Elizabeth Vivian has pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. All four
are awaiting sentencing.
This joint investigation was conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with
investigators from the Eagle Pass Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tad Duree is
prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.
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Staff
-Eagle Pass
Local dignitaries along with public officials were on hand this Wednesday morning in front of City Hall to pay tribute to law enforcement officers and the sacrifices that they make for the security and safety of our community. Father Joseph Benedict was also on hand to deliver the invocation on this important day. Police Lieutenant Aldo Escamilla headed the ceremony and presented some history about this important ocassion. National Law enforcement week is conducted in remembrance of those who have fallen while serving as law enforcement officers. National Police Week started in 1962 by John F. Kennedy declaring National Memorial Day on May 15th, shortly after joint congress declared May 12 thru the 15th as National Police Officers Week as a special recognition. During national police week thousands law enforcement officers gather at designated areas within their communities to particiapte in community events. In the United States some 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the protection of others.
Thanks in large measure to the dedicated men and women of law enforcement, crime rates are showing a downward trend. Sadly, there are 60,000 assaults to law enforcement officers on a yearly basis, resulting in 16,000 injuries over the last decade, 160 officers were killed while fulfilling their duties. In the year 2012, 120 officers lost their lives in the line of duty 11 are from Texas.
Local dignitaries which attended included Councilwoman/Mayor Pro- Tem Asalia Casares, Councilman Billy Davis, Representatives from the Sheriff's Department, Department of Public Safety, Border Patrol and Probation Department were also on hand.
Mayor Pro-Tem Asalia Casares presented the proclamation thanking all the officers at the ceremony who keep the city of Eagle Pass safe, including all the law enforcement agencies who safeguard the freedoms of the citizens of Eagle Pass.
A.D. Ibarra
-Del Rio, Texas
Edgar Aguilar, who The Honorable US Federal Judge Alia Moses of the Western District of Texas called the person who put together the "Grossly criminal" act of orchestrating a months-long plot to steal from the City of Eagle Pass in the form of utilizing a Gas Man fuel card to steal an amount of $68,373.87 in gasoline and along with four other individuals indicted in this case, benefited from this financially, was sentenced to 42 months in prison, three years of probation and will be forced to pay restitution to the tune of $500.00 per month until the amount is paid in full.
Aguilar's defense attorney Edgar Juarez and US Prosecutor Timothy Adam Duree were in discussion prior to sentencing as the US Government put in for what is termed a sentencing advisory to which Judge Moses was taken aback stating, "I'm not really happy with this case, I was planning on sentencing above the guidelines, now you come to me with guidelines? What this man did was inexcusable," before the prosecutor asked to approach the bench.
What transpired after this was what seemed to be discussion as to the details found within the context of the sentencing advisory amidst the eery sound of a device which will not allow anyone outside the bench to listen in on the conversation.
What one could notice was that it seemed as though Duree was attempting to convince the judge to see his points of view on some issue while Aguilar was waiting somewhat impatiently adjusting his government issued orange suit in cuffs and chains in front of the court reporter with arms crossed.
After exactly eleven minutes, Juarez came up to Aguilar to give him the news that the judge had probably not taken the advisory into consideration and Aguilar was asking him questions.
Then Judge Moses gave him the opportunity to speak to which Aguilar apologized to the court, to the judge and to the United States to which she replied, "How about to the taxpayers of Eagle Pass?"
She went on to say that he had been placed in a position of trust and he took it upon himself to violate this trust and to recruit others to assist him in doing so for a very long period of time.
Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu was given the opportunity to come up and speak on behalf of the victims and said, "I was angry and disappointed that you could not have the basic standard of humanity. There is an obligation expected of all city employees and this trust has been violated."
Cantu went on to say that Aguilar knowingly and repeatedly stole from the citizens of Eagle Pass.
"Our image has been tarnished and we ask that our citizens be paid in full and that Mr. Aguilar is sentenced to the fullest extent of the law."
What Judge Moses stated in her remarks prior to sentencing was that they were seeking a sentence of 12-18 months which she said was not going to happen because this was not a mistake, it was what she deemed a "Criminal decision." She also stated that in order to promote respect for the law and to protect the public, she will sentence him to 42 months in prison, three years probation and ordered him and his accomplices to pay back $68,373.87, $48,373.87 to the City of Eagle Pass and $20,000.00 to the Texas Municipal League.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Every second Saturday in May letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America deliver much more than mail when they walk and drive along their postal routes. They also collect the goodness and compassion of their postal customers who participate in the NALC Stamp Out Hunger National Food Drive – the largest one-day food drive in the nation and probably the world.
The mail carriers for the US Postal service in Eagle Pass also did their part in collecting 3,045 Lbs. of food which will be forwarded to Our Lady of Refuge Church who has an existing food pantry and the food is to be subsequently distributed to the needy families of Eagle Pass and Maverick County.
Ernesto Saucedo, USPS Supervisor, informed The News Gram of the successful collection of food by his staff who handle a total of 21 routes in and around Eagle Pass. He also let us know that Eagle Pass has grown significantly as there used to be 10 routes within the city limits and 3 outside which has doubled in the last decade.
The postal carriers left bags which were to be used for the drive and postal customers returned these bags to the carriers on this, the designated day for the Stamp Out Hunger Campaign for the 16th consecutive year in Eagle Pass.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
Lieutenant Aldo Escamilla informed The News gram of the fact that the police department had received word that there were narcotics located within a household on Bryan Street.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found 42 Lbs. of a green-leafy substance which upon closer inspection was determined in fact to be marijuana.
There were no arrests made, but the case remains under investigation. This is the lates bust of narcotics over the last two weeks as 300 Lbs. were confiscated then and 200 Lbs. the week prior.
When asked what drug is mostly apprehended here, Escamilla reported that most of their narcotics busts have been for marijuana as they know that marijuana is being transported through here as well as cocaine. He stated that they have not had any arrests dealing with pills or any types of controlled substances in pill form.
Missing Juvenile Reported to Local Authorities
EAGLE PASS, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry Sunday detained a North Carolina man wanted for attempted murder.
Late Sunday morning, CBP officers working at the Camino Real International Bridge inspected a Chevrolet Tahoe as it arrived in the United States from Mexico. During routine records checks, officers discovered that a passenger in the vehicle, Silvino Navarro Jr., 19, of Raleigh, N.C., was wanted on a warrant for homicide-attempted murder in Green County, N.C. Navarro, who the warrant stated was believed to be “armed and dangerous” was turned over to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office.
“Homeland security is our primary mission but apprehensions like this help keep our communities safe,” said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass. “In this case, the inspection process turned up a subject wanted in another state who is thought to be armed and dangerous.”
Later that day, CBP officers at the Camino Real International Bridge came into contact with a teen, who had been reported missing to local authorities. A 13-year-old girl arrived at the pedestrian lane late Sunday evening accompanied by her mother. During routine inspection, officers discovered she had been reported missing. The girl was released to her mother after records were confirmed with the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office.
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
Guatemalan subject had been previously deported
Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass South Station apprehended a convicted sex offender Sunday evening.
Agents patrolling near the Maverick/Webb county line, apprehended an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. During processing, agents discovered that Nicolas Pop-Aguilar, 40, had been previously deported from the United States following a felony conviction in 1994. Criminal records checks revealed that Pop-Aguilar was arrested in Des Moines, Iowa for lascivious acts with a child.
Pop-Aguilar will be processed for removal from the United States and his prior order of removal will be reinstated.
So far during Fiscal Year 2013, Del Rio Sector agents have apprehended a total of 11 convicted sex offenders, compared to four for all of FY 2012. The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
TWO EAGLE PASS RESIDENTS ENTER GUILTY PLEAS IN CONNECTION WITH MAVERICK COUNTY BRIBERY, KICKBACK AND BID-RIGGING SCHEME
Maverick County Precinct One Commissioner Eliaz Maldonado and Maverick County Probation Officer and general contractor Javier Gonzalez each face up to ten years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty this morning to a bribery charge in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme that caused a loss to Maverick County of thousands of dollars announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.
Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Victor Garcia in Del Rio, Maldonado, age 52, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving a bribe. According to court records, in 2010 and 2011, Maldonado, through his employees, admitted to manipulating the bidding process to guarantee that contractors he chose would be awarded Maverick County construction contracts. Those contractors deposited the checks issued to them by Maverick County and then made cash payments to Maldonado. The private contractors submitted inflated bids to Maverick County in order for there to be sufficient funds to perform the construction work, make a profit, and pay the bribe to Maldonado. The contracts in total involved more than $100,000 of county funds and Maldonado received a payment between $500 and $3,500 at least twelve times during the scheme.
Gonzalez, age 42, pleaded guilty to one count of paying a bribe. By pleading guilty, Gonzalez admitted that in 2010 and 2011, he entered into a scheme with different Maverick County officials whereby he would be guaranteed county construction contracts in return for paying money to the official whose precinct the construction work was supposed to be performed in. According to court documents, after Gonzalez was selected to do the work, he would be paid via checks issued by Maverick County. Gonzalez would deposit or cash the checks, then give the officials thousands of dollars from the money Maverick County had paid him. The contracts Maverick County awarded Gonzalez involved more than $400,000 of county funds in 2010 and 2011 combined. The total loss to Maverick County as a result of Gonzalez’ actions was approximately $156,000.
Both Maldonado and Gonzalez were admonished in court that in addition to any imprisonment or fine, they could each be ordered to pay restitution at the time of sentencing.
Maldonado and Gonzalez each remain on bond pending sentencing scheduled for October 7, 2013 before United States District Judge Alia Moses.
To date, nine individuals are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to charges stemming from this investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Charges against five individuals are still pending.
Persons 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.
EAGLE PASS, Texas (May 1, 2013) – Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass, Texas is now EVEN BIGGER with the recently completed casino expansion that includes exciting new gaming, dining and entertainment options.
The new casino expansion includes 74,000 square feet of additional space with over 1,000 brand new electronic games for a total of 2,745 machines, a new private poker room with live-action poker games and Texas Hold’Em tournaments, and a new Players Club.
The expansion also includes a new dining option with The Buffet, a 250-seat restaurant featuring expanded food selections and daily specials for lunch and dinner; the luxurious Center Bar – a full-service bar with room to relax right in the middle of the gaming action; and ¿Que Pasa? Lounge – an intimate bar and lounge only steps away from the gaming floor with live entertainment coming soon.
“We’re excited to welcome our guests to the recently expanded Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel, where winning is now even bigger!” said Robin Miller, general manager at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel. “We’ve been looking forward to opening the doors since the project began, and we’re happy to finally share this new addition with both our loyal guests and those who haven’t experienced the property yet.”
The next phase of the expansion, slated for completion this summer, will include a 249-room full-service hotel, the Sage Steakhouse – a gourmet fine dining restaurant with a chef-driven menu, the High Limit Bar with a new high limit gaming area and more.
About Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel stands alone as Texas’ #1 Casino Gaming Experience! With 24-hour gaming excitement in a first-class facility, it’s all within easy reach of both Central and South Texas. With over 2,500 electronic gaming machines, poker room, live bingo and huge cash drawings, winning is bigger in Texas! Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino is located in Eagle Pass, Texas, just a short drive from San Antonio. For more information, visit www.luckyeagletexas.com
Maverick County Sheriff's Office - On Saturday April 27, 2013 at approximately 10:30 a.m. units were dispatched to the Kickapoo Reservation in reference to a deceased person. Upon arrival deputies made contact with the U.S. Border Patrol agents who stated that while patrolling the river vega they observed a deceased person in the water. JP 3 Cesar Iracheta was summoned to the location and gave the time of death at 11:29 a.m. Memorial Funeral Chapel was also summoned to the location and took custody of the body. No identification and identifying marks were found on the deceased. If you would like more information about this press release, or to schedule an interview with Sheriff Tom Schmerber, please call the Maverick County Sheriff's Department at 830-773-2321.