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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
Texas is cutting off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood clinics following undercover videos of officials discussing fetal tissue — potentially triggering legal battles like the one unfolding in neighboring Louisiana.
In a letter Monday, Texas health officials informed Planned Parenthood affiliates statewide that all Medicaid funding was being severed.
The move comes after undercover videos released by the anti-abortion Center for Medical Progress, one of which was filmed secretly at a Texas Planned Parenthood clinic.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered his state to block funding in the wake of the same videos but Planned Parenthood sued, challenging ending funding for non-abortion services like cancer screenings and gynecology exams.
On Monday, a federal judge ordered Louisiana to continue providing Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood clinics for 14 more days.
HOUSTON (AP) — A 22-year-old Houston man has been charged with murder and aggravated assault in the shooting death of a Texas Southern University freshman and the wounding of another person. Houston police SWAT officers took Jartis Leon LeBlanc Jr. into custody early Saturday morning. On Sunday, a judge ordered him held on $50,000 bond in the Oct. 9 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Brent Randall of Houston in a parking lot outside a student apartment complex at the school. Court documents show Randall's half brother was wounded in the shooting that stemmed from an argument the previous day over a pickup basketball game. Records also show LeBlanc, the father of a 2-year-old, already was out on bond for a misdemeanor theft charge in September. He pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in January 2014.
DALLAS (AP) —
A teenager who killed four people in a 2013 drunken-driving wreck near Fort Worth and claimed as part of his defense that he suffered from "affluenza" testified during a deposition that he used drugs and believed his parents knew he drank alcohol.
A video recording of the deposition obtained by ABC News (http://abcn.ws/1LS8e8a ) shows Ethan Couch responding to claims that his wealthy parents coddled him into irresponsibility. The report didn't specify when the deposition was held or which lawsuit it related to.
Couch said before the wreck, he had used drugs and alcohol on a number of occasions.
"I've taken Valium, Hydrocodone, marijuana, cocaine, Xanax and I think I tried Ecstasy once, pretty sure that was it," Couch testified.
The teen had seven passengers in his truck when he plowed into a disabled vehicle on the side of a dark road. Besides the four people killed, several of those in the truck and others helping the driver of the disabled vehicle were injured.
Couch, who is now 18, said during the deposition that one of the only things he remembers from the night was "waking up handcuffed to the hospital bed."
District Judge Jean Boyd in December 2013 gave Couch 10 years' probation following a sentencing hearing in which Couch's attorneys invoked the affluenza defense. Prosecutors had asked for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Under Texas juvenile law, the maximum allowable sentence in Couch's intoxication assault case was three years in a Texas Juvenile Justice Department facility.
Couch and his parents were deposed for a lawsuit related to the wreck. The family last week settled the last of a series of lawsuits filed since the crash.
ENCINAL, Texas (AP) —
A fiery natural gas pipeline explosion in South Texas has forced dozens of people from their homes and canceled classes at a nearby school.
Nobody was hurt in the accident around 4:15 a.m. CDT Friday near Encinal (EN'-suh-nahl), 25 miles north of Laredo. Authorities are seeking the cause of the blast.
City Manager Velma Davila (DAH'-vee-lah) says 30 to 40 people who live near the pipeline evacuated to Encinal City Hall, as a precaution. Classes were canceled Friday at Encinal Elementary School, about 500 yards from the pipeline.
The operator, San Antonio-based Lewis Energy Group, says the gas flow was shut off and the fire was out by 10 a.m. Friday. A company statement says officials are working with law enforcement and government agencies about the damage and cleanup.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
State-mandated exams are getting shorter for Texas students in grades 3 to 8.
The Legislature this session approved a requirement that State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR tests, be less time-consuming for young students.
It mandates that 85 percent of students in grades 3 to 5 complete the tests in two hours, and that 85 percent of 6th, 7th and 8th graders finish their tests in three hours.
Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced Friday that, next year only, the number of questions on exams in grades 3 to 8 would be cut from eight to five.
Also, 2016 STAAR writing tests for grades 4 and 7 have been reconfigured.
Data collected during testing periods next year will inform future adjustments to exams in grades 3 to 8.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
The longhorn steer mascot of the University of Texas died in his sleep Friday after recently being diagnosed with cancer. Bevo XIV was 13.
The steer died at the ranch where he lived. He had been retired on Tuesday after his diagnosis and had not made the trip to the Cotton Bowl the previous weekend for the annual Texas-Oklahoma football game, which Texas won 24-17.
"He was so big and strong, but he had such a sweet personality and a gentle soul," said Ricky Brennes, executive director of the Silver Spurs, the mascot's handlers and caretakers. The Silver Spurs had announced Oct. 7 that the steer had been stricken with a life-threatening condition.
Bevo XIV, whose given name was Sunrise Studly, had served as the school mascot since the age of 2, in 2004. He was on the football sideline for two Rose Bowl victories, including the January 2006 national championship game.
He also attended the second inauguration of President George W. Bush in January 2005. Owners John and Betty Baker also owned his predecessor, Bevo XIII.
Bevo XIV "loved the attention" given to the mascot, Brennes said.
"Like a dog, he would come when called by name, show up to the house looking for treats and even roll over on his side so Mrs. Baker could rub his belly," Brennes said.
The school said a search for Bevo XV will begin immediately and should be in place for the 2016 football season, which would be the 100th anniversary of the mascot being on the football sideline.
MEXICO CITY (AP) —
Mexican soldiers have captured the leader of a Gulf cartel faction in the northern border city of Matamoros.
Tamaulipas state's coordinating group said in a statement Friday that Angel Eduardo Prado Rodriguez, alias "Ciclon 7," was captured by soldiers before dawn on Friday.
The statement said Prado Rodriguez was the last of 15 priority targets under the state's security plan.
Prado Rodriguez allegedly led the Ciclones, or Cyclones, faction of the Gulf cartel. He had been locked in a violent power struggle with the so-called Metros faction of Reynosa.
The Gulf cartel has fragmented into various competing factions in recent years, but together they control much of the drug and human trafficking along the border with southernmost Texas.
PHARR, Texas—
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge have once again detected narcotics within a vehicle that attempted to cross the border. This time officers seized $300,000 worth of alleged cocaine and arrested a Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico man in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt.
“Great awareness and outstanding observational techniques have enabled our CBP officers to detect these hard narcotics and help our country’s efforts to keep dangerous drugs out of our communities,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge on Oct. 14 encountered a white 2006 Ford 500 sedan driven by a 46-year-old man, who arrived from Reynosa. After referring the Reynosa resident and the vehicle for a secondary inspection, officers and a canine enforcement team discovered 16 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the sedan. CBP OFO seized the 39 pounds of cocaine which carry an estimated street value of $301,000 and seized the Ford sedan as well.
CBP OFO arrested the man from Mexico and then released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
Pete Perez, the Texas-Central Region “Inca,” or leader, of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings), and 60 of his fellow members and associates are in custody facing federal and/or state charges for their roles in a racketeering and drug distribution scheme in the Austin, San Antonio and Uvalde areas.
As a result of this investigation, federal grand juries sitting in Del Rio and San Antonio have indicted 37 individuals. A state grand jury sitting in Uvalde County has indicted 28 individuals. Of those charged, 46, were arrested yesterday, 15 were arrested prior to yesterday, and four individuals remain fugitives. That announcement was made today by United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Uvalde County/38th
Judicial District Attorney Daniel J. Kindred; Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson, Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio; Christopher Combs, Federal Bureau of Investigation in San Antonio; Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston; Director Steven McCraw, Texas Department of Public Safety; Uvalde County Sheriff- Charles Mendeke, Uvalde Police Chief Eric Herrera.
According to the federal grand jury indictments, the defendants have operated a criminal enterprise in Central Texas since 2005. Under the leadership of Texas-Central Region “Inca” Pete Perez in Austin, San Antonio Chapter “Inca” Joe Pierce and Uvalde Chapter “Incas” James Long and Jacob Mariscal, they have conspired to carry out unlawful acts including attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, robbery, various firearms offenses and drug distribution involving marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. The Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) indictment alleges that ten attempted murders, approximately ten assaults and various other acts of violence were committed as a result of a prospect initiation, leaking of sensitive information to a non-Latin King member, breaking an organizational rule, retaliation against rival gang members, and for unpaid drug distribution debts.
A complete list of those charged by federal indictment is below. Upon conviction, the defendants facing federal charges are subject to imprisonment of up to life. It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case resulted from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Texas Department of Public Safety(DPS), and the Uvalde Police Department. Agencies assisting with today’s arrests include the United States Marshals Service, Lonestar Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air &
Marine Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, Sabinal Police Department, Austin Police Department and San Antonio Police Department.
U.S. v. PETE PEREZ, et al – Case # DR15cr1211
Charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO statute (Count 1)
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Cocaine (Count 2)
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (Count 3)
** Previously in custody
Name Age Residence Count(s)
Pete Perez (aka “Jerry” “Xkape”) 36 Austin 1, 3
Michael Ray Arriaga (aka “Fez) 35 Austin 1, 3
Billy Ramirez (aka “Rascal”) 34 San Antonio 1, 2, 3
James Marty Long (aka Whiteboy”, “Jimmy”) 40 Uvalde 1
Marco Antonio Martinez (aka “Cartel”) 32 Uvalde 1, 2, 3
Adrian Silva (aka “Trouble”) 23 Uvalde 1
Joe Pierce (aka “Dro”) 32 San Antonio 1, 2
Jorge Aguero (aka “Fat Rat”, “G”) 34 Uvalde 1, 2
**Edmundo Hill (aka “Dox”) 29 San Antonio 1
**Gregory Hill (aka “Chaotic”) 26 Uvalde 1, 2
**Rodolfo Rodriguez (aka “Pun”) 30 Uvalde 1
Crystal Pierce (aka “Shorty”) 30 San Antonio 1, 2
Jacob Mariscal (aka “Righteous”) 31 Uvalde 1
**Michael Anthony Hill (aka “Chip”) 28 Uvalde 1, 2
Jake Mendoza (aka “Thug”) 24 Uvalde 1, 2
Jose Rios (aka “Creeper”) 30 Uvalde 1, 3
John Andrew Silva (aka “Chuco”) 20 Uvalde 1, 2
**Abram Urbina (aka “Tank”) 24 Uvalde 1, 2
Esmerejildo Balderas (aka “Hildo”) 23 Uvalde 1, 2
George Anthony Garza (aka “Tone”) 23 Uvalde 1, 2
Alfredo Martinez (aka “Goofy”) 21 Uvalde 1, 2
Gonzalo Nandin (aka “Too Short”) 31 San Antonio 1
**Manuel Rosario-Perez (aka “Yayo”) 21 Live Oak, TX 1
U.S. v. OMAR BARAJAS, et al – Case # DR15cr1212
Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1)
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Cocaine (Count 2)
** Previously in custody; *** Fugitive
Name Age Residence Count(s)
Omar Barajas (aka “Chamo” “Abby”) 35 Houston 1, 2
**Bryan Torres (aka “Doughboy”) 36 Houston 1
Miguel Flores (aka “Lucky”) 29 San Antonio 1
Albert Guadalupe Mendoza (aka “Rantick”) 33 Austin 1, 2
***Andrew Hernandez (aka “Drew”) 32 San Antonio 1
Nathan Wayne Ornelas (aka “Nate”, “Indian”) 40 San Antonio 1
***Ian Jon Gernandt (aka “Indio”) 41 San Antonio 1
Samantha Nicole Houston Goodale 27 San Antonio 1
***Matthew James Eldred (aka “Matt”) 35 San Antonio 1
Angelica Inguanzo (aka “Angel”) 32 San Antonio 1
U.S. v. MARKOZ LUNA, et al – Case # SA15cr636
Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1)
Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance (Counts 2-6)
Name Age Residence Count(s)
Markoz Luna (aka “Mark”, “King Dark”) 32 San Antonio 1-5
Michael Lara 32 San Antonio 1, 2
Gisela Cisneros 36 San Antonio 1, 2
Alfredo Lopez 36 San Antonio 1, 3
HOUSTON (AP) —
A warrant has been issued charging a Houston man with the fatal shooting of a Texas Southern University freshman and the wounding of another person.
Harris County court records show 22-year-old Jartis Leon Leblanc Jr. is sought on murder and aggravated assault counts.
Eighteen-year-old Brent Randall of Houston was shot to death last Friday in a parking lot outside a student apartment complex. Another man was hospitalized with torso and back wounds.
The warrant for Leblanc's arrest was issued Monday. He remains at large Thursday.
Investigators are trying to determine if the attack came in retaliation for a shooting a day earlier, in the same parking lot, that left another man with a leg wound.
