When working on the side of the road you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and driving through work zones requires the same amount of caution. Image courtesy of TxDOT
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AUSTIN – When working on the side of the road you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and driving through work zones requires the same amount of caution.
Family’s tragic loss
College student Katrina Bond slowed down for traffic in a work zone on I-35 near Fort Worth when the driver of a heavy pickup truck, who admitted he had just received a text, slammed into her car. The force of the collision pushed Katrina’s car into the path of another truck. She never made it home.
Watch the TxDOt video below:
“People think this kind of tragedy won’t happen to them. I didn’t think it would happen to me,” Katrina’s mom, Kathy Bond, said. “I try to show Katrina’s picture and tell her story to as many drivers as I can. I ask them to please put all their focus on the road when they’re behind the wheel.”
Work Zone Awareness Week
In 2024, there were nearly 28,000 crashes in Texas work zones. Those crashes caused 215 deaths, a 12% increase in fatalities over the previous year. Most of the people killed in work zone crashes are drivers or their passengers.
As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 21–25, TxDOT is using its Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign to promote work zone safety and help prevent these crashes and fatalities.
“Our brave and dedicated road crews work year-round across the state, and we need drivers to stay alert in work zones to help keep them and each other safe,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “Work zones can mean changing and unexpected conditions as crews work on the roadway. That’s why it’s vital that all Texans plan, avoid distractions and never rush through a work zone.”
Safety tips
TxDOT reminds drivers that traffic fines double in work zones when workers are present and offers these tips for preventing crashes:
Slow down. Follow the speed limit and pay attention to road conditions. What’s safe in normal conditions may not be safe in a work zone.
Stay alert. Focus on driving, avoid distractions and put your phone away.
Watch out for road crews. Roadside workers want to get home safely too. Always follow their instructions and be mindful of construction area road signs.
Don’t tailgate. Give yourself room to stop in a hurry. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work zone crash.
Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Plan so you aren’t tempted to speed.
TxDOT also urges motorists to follow the state’s Move Over or Slow Down law, which requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching TxDOT, emergency, law enforcement, tow truck or utility vehicles stopped on the roadside with flashing lights activated.
The Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Tim Timmerman and reappointed Bobby Patton to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. Images: Courtesy and Txdir.com. Bgd for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott appointed Tim Timmerman and reappointed Bobby Patton to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. The Commission manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas and provides hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Timothy “Tim” Timmerman of Austin is the owner of Timmerman Capital LLC and numerous real estate investment and development entities. He is the president of the Colorado River Land Trust, board member for Central Texas Community Foundation, Austin Area Research Organization, YMCA of Central Texas, and Texas Business Leadership Council, and a member of the Texas A&M University Chancellor’s Century Council and the Texas A&M Legacy Society. Additionally, he is the former vice chairman of St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center and a former board member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Timmerman received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin.
Bobby Patton of Fort Worth is president of Texas Capitalization Resource Group, Inc. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the UT Development Board, UT Marine Science Institute, and the UT Liberal Arts Advisory Council and a director of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Additionally, he is the former chairman of the PGA Tournament Committee for Charles Schwab. Patton received a Bachelor of Business Administration from UT Austin, a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s Law School, and a Master of Laws from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas-36) led a bicameral coalition of federal lawmakers representing Texas communities in sending a letter to President Trump urging his administration to move the headquarters for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from Washington, D.C. to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The lease for NASA’s current DC office expires in 2028. Images: Public Domain via wikimedia Commons
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas-36) led a bicameral coalition of federal lawmakers representing Texas communities in sending a letter to President Trump urging his administration to move the headquarters for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from Washington, D.C. to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The lease for NASA’s current DC office expires in 2028.
In the letter, the lawmakers argue that NASA is disconnected from the day-to-day work of its centers and hindered by bureaucratic micromanagement in Washington, D.C. Houston is well suited for NASA’s headquarters because of JSC’s substantial involvement in nearly everything that makes America a leader in space exploration. JSC maintains the largest NASA workforce, accommodates extensive research and development partnerships, and houses Mission Control, the NASA astronaut corps, and the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility.
Additionally, Texas boasts a strong business environment, low government regulation, a robust commercial space sector, and a cost of living that is less than half of the Washington, D.C. area. Moving the NASA headquarters to Texas will create more jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and reinvigorate America’s space agency.
Joining Sen. Cruz and Rep. Babin in sending the letter are Sen. John Cornyn and Reps. Jodey Arrington, John Carter, Michael Cloud, Dan Crenshaw, Monica De La Cruz, Jake Ellzey, Pat Fallon, Brandon Gill, Craig Goldman, Tony Gonzales, Lance Gooden, Wesley Hunt, Ronny Jackson, Morgan Luttrell, Michael McCaul, Nathaniel Moran, Troy E. Nehls, August Pfluger, Chip Roy, Keith Self, Pete Sessions, Beth Van Duyne, Randy Weber, and Roger Williams.
As the lawmakers wrote:
“From its founding in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a storied history of exploring new frontiers, making transformational discoveries, and reaching far into the great beyond. However, as NASA’s leadership has languished in our nation’s capital, the core missions of this critical agency are more divided than ever before. This seismic disconnect between NASA’s headquarters and its missions has opened the door to bureaucratic micromanagement and an erosion of centers’ interdependence. For NASA to return to its core mission of excellence in exploration, its headquarters should be located at a place where NASA’s most critical missions are and where transformational leadership from the ground up can be provided. In 2028 the lease for NASA’s current headquarters building in Washington, D.C. expires. We write to urge you to use this opportunity to reinvigorate our national space agency and move NASA’s headquarters from Washington D.C. to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas.
“Perhaps no city is more closely linked to America’s space program than ‘Space City.’ Some of the first words spoken on the surface of the moon called out to Houston which is home to numerous aerospace businesses. JSC in particular is the largest home of the NASA workforce, with more than 12,000 employees across its 1,620-acre facility and supporting more than 52,000 public and private jobs. As the pinnacle of human spaceflight development, Houston is home to Mission Control, the NASA astronaut corps, the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility, commercial space agreements, and extensive research and development partnerships. JSC plays a role in nearly everything that makes America a leader in space exploration.
“Houston is particularly well suited for NASA’s headquarters due in part to the unique strengths of the city and the state. Texas is the eighth largest economy in the world, with low government regulation and a strong business environment. Houston boasts a cost of living that is less than half that of the Washington, D.C. area ; three ‘R1: Doctoral Universities’ producing the high caliber professionals necessary for human spaceflight; and two major commercial service airports for easy connectivity around the country. In contrast, NASA’s current headquarters in Washington, D.C. is disconnected from the NASA centers across the country and thus much of the day-to-day work. Consolidating greater and greater levels of work and authority in Washington, D.C. has been a decades-long trend, resulting in decision making funneled up to bureaucrats at headquarters rather than empowering scientists and astronauts across the centers. This strategy has separated decision makers from the actual workforce and stands antithetical to NASA’s core function.
“Relatedly, for the United States to reach the surface of Mars, NASA must rely on a robust commercial space sector. Towards that end, no state offers greater economic and geographic benefits than Texas. The Lone Star State is home to more than 2,000 aerospace, aviation, and defense-related companies, with 18 of the 20 largest aerospace companies based in Texas. Notably, SpaceX relocated their entire company to Texas, establishing the town of Starbase, Texas, to develop, test, and launch SpaceX vehicles. Similarly, Blue Origin develops engines and rockets in West Texas, leading a new generation of spaceflight, and conducts its commercial sub-orbital flights there. Firefly Aerospace, in Cedar Park, recently sent photos of Earth from its Blue Ghost lunar lander on its voyage to explore the surface of the moon. Axiom Space, based in Houston, is building the next generation spacesuit for NASA and a commercial space station to succeed the International Space Station. In addition, the State of Texas recently stood up the Texas Space Commission to promote innovation in space operations and commercial aerospace and to attract commercial space ventures to the state. These are just a few of the ways Texas aerospace companies, projects, and institutions are transforming our nation’s leadership in the space economy.
“A central location among NASA’s centers and the geographical center of the United States, Houston offers the ideal location for NASA to return to its core mission of space exploration and to do so at a substantially lower operating cost than in Washington, D.C. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the great servants of NASA — who are focused on recommitting America’s space agency to its roots and exploring the final frontier — by relocating NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C. to the Johnson Space Center.”
Shaun Dawson manages the Edinburg branch of Greater Texas Credit Union, which serves the Rio Grande Valley community. Courtesy images
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EDINBURG, Texas – Shaun Dawson, who has worked for 25 years at the Greater Texas Credit Union office in Edinburg, has been promoted to Branch Manager, now serving the Rio Grande Valley community.
Dawson, a South Texas native, started as a teller at the Edinburg branch in 2001 and has had various roles supporting all aspects of member services and branch operations before being named to the top branch post.
Born in Zapata, he worked in banking briefly before joining Greater Texas as a teller in Edinburg and relocating there, launching his credit union career.
“No one knows the credit union and the Edinburg community better than Shaun Dawson,” said Cynthia Olivares, Assistant Vice President, Market Development & Operations. “He was the natural choice for the branch manager position, as someone who knows the importance of member service and providing a great banking experience.”
Dawson has been active in the Greater Texas Credit Union’s volunteer program, Greater Good, in various local community efforts, including H-E-B food stores’ Feast of Sharing. He also drove the credit union’s participation in last year’s Edinburg Cares Food Drive. He’s now looking to get even more involved in the community but says his number one goal as branch manager is to deliver top-tier service to ensure happy, loyal members.
About Greater Texas Credit Union
Greater Texas Credit Union, founded in 1952, is a financial cooperative that emphasizes community stewardship, charitable giving, and employee volunteerism through its Greater Good initiative. Together with its subsidiary, Aggieland Credit Union – which serves the Brazos Valley – the credit union offers a wide variety of consumer-oriented banking services to its 85,000 members across the state of Texas. Greater Texas has locations in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Bryan-College Station, Edinburg, and the Dallas-Ft. Worth market with assets of nearly $1 billion.
On Friday, April 18, 2025, McDonald’s restaurants in Laredo and the Rio Grandy Valley will hold a fundraiser to support the End of Watch (EOW) Relief Foundation in their mission to support family members of law enforcement, firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel who are killed on the line of duty. Courtesy logos. Bgd for illustration purposes
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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – On Friday, April 18, 2025, McDonald’s restaurants in Laredo and the Rio Grandy Valley will hold a fundraiser to support the End of Watch (EOW) Relief Foundation in their mission to support family members of law enforcement, firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel who are killed on the line of duty. Customers are invited to take part in the fundraiser by simply visiting their local McDonald’s restaurant on April 18 during lunchtime (11:00am-2:00pm) and purchasing anything on the menu. McDonald’s restaurants will contribute 10% of the sales to the End of Watch Relief Foundation. The foundation, a 501C3 non-profit organization established in 2021, provides emergency financial assistance and bereavements support to these families. Most recently, benefactors of the foundation have been Cameron County Precinct 1 Constable Ruben Garcia, San Benito Police Lieutenant Milton Resendez, United States Border Patrol agents Christoper
“Chris” Luna, and Raul Huberto Gonzalez Jr., all killed in the line of duty. In addition, the foundation also recognizes and pays tribute to active first responders such as Border Patrol Agent Alejandro De Luna and retired first responders who pass away.
Since 2023, local McDonald’s restaurants have donated more than $30,000 to the foundation. “It is quite a blessing that the End of Watch Foundation and McDonalds restaurants have fostered a great working relationship, for the sole purpose of providing needed financial support to the families of our fallen heroes killed in the line of duty. As said before, a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. We must continue to recognize and pay tribute to those who paid this ultimate sacrifice.” said Eduardo “Eddie” De La Rosa, EOW Relief Foundation Board President.
“We are honored to support the foundation with this fundraiser,” said Fred Del Barrio, local McDonald’s Oner/Operator in the Rio Grande Valley. “We hope the community will join us to do some good on this Good Friday.”
With employee safety a top priority for Red Sun Farms in Pharr, company owners found a perfect match in the South Texas College Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships and Texas Mutual Insurance Company to obtain safety trainings that have minimized on-the-job accidents and injuries. The trainings completed – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 and 30, were free of charge for Red Sun Farms thanks to a $100,000 Safety Education Grant presented to STC from Texas Mutual, the leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Texas. STC image
Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College has been awarded a $100,000 Safety Education Grant from Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, to support the college’s workplace safety training.
Texas Mutual has given the college over $300,000 in grants over the last few years to expand trainings that reskill and upskill regional employees, like those from Red Sun Farms.
With employee safety a top priority for Red Sun Farms in Pharr, company owners found a perfect match in the STC Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships obtain safety trainings that have minimized on-the-job accidents and injuries.
STC image
The trainings completed – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 and 30, were free of charge for Red Sun Farms thanks to the Safety Education Grant.
“The trainings we have participated in through STC have served their purpose. We have not experienced an incident or accident since getting our employees up to date and trained,” said Red Sun Farms Human Resources Manager Lili Delie. “What STC offers has a huge impact on our industry and we continue working hand-in-hand with the college to seek other training opportunities. Free, discounted or full price, STC will remain our training provider.”
Red Sun Farms is one of the largest vertically-integrated, high-tech greenhouses in North America to own and operate farms in Canada, Mexico and the United States, providing fresher produce to its retail partners.
Since 1999, Texas Mutual has awarded over $14 million in safety education grants to Texas colleges like STC. Their funding helps promote safe work environments and ensure Texas employees get home safely to their families.
“Texas Mutual recognizes the essential contribution made by Texas community college partners in educating local workforces and helping to further our mission to build a stronger, safer Texas,” said Eric Bourquin, vice president of safety services at Texas Mutual. “For more than two decades, our dedication to these colleges and their communities has been demonstrated through grant funding. The ongoing education of Texas employees is something we are immensely proud to invest in and support.”
STC’s Safety Education Grant provides free or discounted trainings in various areas such as OSHA general industry and construction, industrial truck operator, personal protective equipment (PPE) and first aid/CPR, among others.
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said the grants have been a welcome and tremendous opportunity for the college and regional industries.
“This grant allows us to provide essential workforce training, ensuring that employees across South Texas can work in safer environments,” said Solis. “By equipping local industries with the knowledge and skills to improve safety standards, we are not only enhancing workplace well-being but also contributing to the long-term success and growth of our region.”
This partnership has now helped STC train more than 200 employees from numerous industries throughout the region.
For more information on safety trainings through STC’s Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships, visit southtexascollege.edu/cata.
Fortunately, alarm bells went off, many of the tariffs were rapidly deferred, the stock market turned sharply around, and the immediate crisis was averted. Image for illustration purposes
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group. Courtesy Image
The day after the election last November, the stock market enjoyed a really strong day, while the bond market did not. That was not at all surprising. The election brought the likelihood of lower taxes and less regulation, both of which make equities more attractive. It also brought fears of higher inflation, which tend to drive interest rates up and make bonds less desirable. Things have changed A LOT since then with all of the uncertainty but therein lies a critical lesson.
Historically, it has been quite common — and quite natural — for stocks and bonds to move in different directions. When large institutional investors feel good about things, they tend to buy stocks with the expectation of future earnings and profits. When they are more concerned, they move vast sums to safety, which for decades has meant US Treasury Bonds. The obligations of the US government have long been the “gold standard” for financial security and the world’s undisputed definition of a politically risk-free asset. Through close elections, major policy shifts, wars, terrorist attacks, pandemics, excessive debt, and mortgage meltdowns, the strength of US economic and political institutions has at times been challenged but inevitably reigned supreme. That is, at least, until the morning of Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
As the tariff fiasco unfolded early in that week and it became apparent that even greater fiscal deficits were likely on the horizon, the equity markets saw dramatic drops and investors shifted into bonds. The results were painful and quite unnecessary, but at least predictable.
Then, on that fateful Wednesday morning, as yet more tariff chaos was unveiled, the unthinkable happened. Stock prices dropped (as expected), but money DID NOT flow into bonds. The significance of this change cannot be overemphasized. The global markets were essentially saying that they no longer viewed the United States as the ultimate safe haven, with such implications as (1) the capacity of the US to fund its ever-increasing debt being called into question, (2) US leadership in international economic affairs becoming in jeopardy, and (3) without any other realistic candidate to underpin world economic stability, the capacity for sustained growth suddenly called into question.
Fortunately, alarm bells went off, many of the tariffs were rapidly deferred, the stock market turned sharply around, and the immediate crisis was averted. Nonetheless, we were put on notice that markets no longer automatically turn to US securities in times of crisis, which is a fundamental shift. This change is not something that the Federal Reserve can fix by tinkering with short-term interest rates. Less chaos, increased positive international leadership and engagement, and more fiscal discipline are paramount to assure ongoing US prosperity and, indeed, global economic viability. Stay safe!
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Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 3,000 clients over the past four decades.
“Thanks to the great investigative work of our federal partners and local law enforcement, five individuals working on behalf of the violent Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) have been taken off our streets,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Image for illustration purposes
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U.S. Department of Justice
On April 1, seven individuals in Georgia and Mexico were indicted by a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia related to a drug trafficking and money laundering ring tied to a Mexico-based trafficker. Five of these defendants, all of Norcross, Georgia — Sandra Beatriz Hernandez Chilel, 49; Karina Beatriz Perez Hernandez, 22; David Miranda Vinalay, 39; Jerome Lewis, 47; and Irving Joel Hernandez, 34 — were arrested earlier today in a coordinated effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and local law enforcement. The defendants were arraigned before a U.S. Magistrate Judge following their arrests.
“Thanks to the great investigative work of our federal partners and local law enforcement, five individuals working on behalf of the violent Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) have been taken off our streets,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will not allow these criminal enterprises to continue profiting off of the death and destruction of American lives.”
“The defendants allegedly trafficked high volumes of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our community and then laundered the illicit proceeds of their activities as directed by a Mexico-based drug trafficker, including more than $1 million during a mere two-month period,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. for the Northern District of Georgia. “Although these individuals took great measures to conceal their alleged criminal conduct, a determined and coordinated effort by our federal and local law enforcement partners helped to secure the federal charges in this case.”
“The deadly impact of fentanyl on our communities is devastating,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the DEA’s Atlanta Division. “These arrests should be a clear message to the traffickers that keeping our communities safe is our highest priority.”
“Using our expertise in financial investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation is following the money, despite attempts by criminals to cover their tracks,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of IRS-CI’s Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents in partnerships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, will continue our work investigating and holding accountable those responsible for bringing dangerous drugs into our communities.”
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie for the Northern District of Georgia, the indictment, and other information presented in court: In September 2024, the DEA uncovered a scheme involving drug traffickers delivering bulk currency from drug sales to a middleman in Norcross. The middleman then allegedly delivered the drug proceeds to defendants Sandra Beatriz Hernandez Chilel (Chilel) and her daughter Karina Beatriz Perez Hernandez (Perez), who then laundered the proceeds as directed by a Mexico-based drug trafficker. Chilel and Perez allegedly operated a money service business (MSB) in Norcross called “La Pulga Esperenza.”
Between September and November 2024, DEA saw several traffickers deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars of suspected drug proceeds to the middleman in Norcross, who then transferred the cash to Chilel and Perez. Agents with IRS-CI analyzed the MSB’s transactions and determined that the cash was wired to Mexico but was transferred in small increments so as not to raise suspicion by federal regulators. During a period of approximately two months, this ring of individuals allegedly laundered over $1 million in drug proceeds smuggled to Mexico.
During the investigation, the DEA identified several alleged traffickers who transported the drug proceeds to Norcross, including defendants David Miranda Vinalay, Jerome Lewis, and Irving Joel Hernandez. DEA identified one of the primary traffickers as being a member or associate of the CJNG. Additionally, as alleged in the indictment, some of the traffickers also possessed methamphetamine and fentanyl that they intended to distribute on behalf of the drug trafficking ring.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the DEA and IRS-CI. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Georgia State Patrol, Dekalb County, Georgia, Police Department, Gwinnett County, Georgia, Police Department, and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bethany L. Rupert and Dwayne A. Brown Jr. for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This effort is part of an OCDETF operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“Our officers remain vigilant in identifying and intercepting individuals who pose a threat to our communities,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo Port of Entry. USCBP image
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HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Hidalgo Port of Entry officers detained one male United States citizen wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
“Our officers remain vigilant in identifying and intercepting individuals who pose a threat to our communities,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo Port of Entry. “Apprehending a wanted person for aggravated sexual assault of a child underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.”
The fugitive apprehension occurred on April 14 at the Hidalgo International Bridge. Roger Lee Chapa, a 55-year-old male United States citizen, applied for entry and was referred for a secondary inspection. During secondary examination, CBP officers utilizing biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that the subject had an outstanding felony warrant for the alleged sexual assault of a child, out of Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office in Edinburg, Texas. Chapa was turned over to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office to await criminal proceedings.
The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion. Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Packages containing 48 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo Port of Entry. USCBP image
Texas Border Business
HIDALGO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Port of Hidalgo, intercepted $1,200,800 in alleged cocaine in three interceptions at Pharr, Hidalgo and Anzalduas international crossings.
“CBP officers at all our international crossings remain vigilant and are excellent with our tools and techniques at finding and extracting narcotics,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
On April 11, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge encountered a silver Chevrolet sedan making entry from Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection, which included utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. After physical inspection of the vehicle, officers extracted 10 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 24.16 pounds (10.96 kg) concealed within the vehicle.
On April 12, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a silver Ford sedan making entry from Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection which included utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. After physical inspection of the vehicle, officers extracted nine packages of alleged cocaine weighing 20.15 pounds (9.14 kg) concealed within the vehicle.
Later that day, CBP officers assigned to the Anzalduas International Bridge encountered a grey Chevrolet sedan making entry from Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection which included utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. After physical inspection of the vehicle, officers extracted 20 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 48.54 pounds (22.02 kg) concealed within the vehicle.
CBP OFO seized the narcotics and vehicles. Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the drivers and initiated criminal investigations.
