Ojinaga cartel boss facing life sentence after pleading guilty in smuggling case
Originally published by Marfa Public Radio on Tuesday, July 9, at www.marfapublicradio.org.
The onetime leader of a cartel in the Mexican border city of Ojinaga is facing the likelihood of life in prison after pleading guilty in a drug trafficking case that began when authorities found him wandering alone along a rural border highway in Texas.
Sergio Menchaca Pizarro –– also known as “El Menchaca,” among other aliases –– was arrested in August 2023 after Border Patrol agents spotted him walking along FM 170 near Presidio, just over the border from Ojinaga.
According to court records, the agents discovered Menchaca was a U.S. citizen and initially detained him for entering the U.S. by crossing the river instead of using a proper port of entry.
He was later indicted alongside multiple other people –– some of whom have not been named publicly –– for allegedly leading the Ojinaga area operations of La Línea cartel.
On June 28, court records show, Menchaca pleaded guilty to an organized crime charge brought against him under a powerful law sometimes known as the “Kingpin Statute” that is designed for high-level prosecutions of drug traffickers.
According to court records, Menchaca’s guilty plea subjects him to a mandatory life sentence under provisions of the law that allow for more severe penalties if a person is found to be a “principal organizer” of a sizable drug smuggling operation.
Menchaca’s defense attorney declined to comment.
Menchaca has also pleaded guilty to human smuggling and firearms charges brought against him and the other defendants in the case. Under the plea deal, he is also facing the prospect of more than $2 million dollars in fines and government seizure of his assets.
Sentencing in the case is currently set for Sept. 20.
Story by Travis Bubenik, Marfa Public Radio.
Midland man dead in rollover accident on Highway 67
SHAFTER — In the early morning hours of July 5, a Midland man was pronounced dead after losing control of his vehicle on a curve in the road about two miles north of Shafter. Around 11 p.m. law enforcement began receiving calls about a black pickup truck traveling south along the highway at high rates of speed. The deceased apparently missed a curve and jumped the guardrail, passing away shortly after the vehicle came to a rest at the bottom of the hill. “Please travel safely along the Highway 67 route between Marfa and Presidio,” Presidio County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joel Nuñez wrote on Facebook. “Traffic significantly increases on weekends and holidays.”
Brewster County road and bridge superintendent retires
ALPINE –– Brewster County Road and Bridge Supervisor Frenchie Causey presented at his last meeting of commissioners court Tuesday before his retirement after 21 years of service.
He will be replaced by Road and Bridge worker Johnny Salcido. Commissioners praised Causey for his long service to the county. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” he told the court.
The meeting was over in 45 minutes, one of the shortest county commissioners meetings in recent memory.
Marfa City Council continues employment of city manager, police chief
MARFA — The Marfa City Council voted unanimously to continue the employment of current City Manager Mandy Roane and Police Chief Gilberto Carrillo at a meeting on Tuesday.
Roane was hired by City Council in September of 2020. On Tuesday, Council voted to extend her employment, offering her a three-year contract which is set to expire in September 2027. Carrillo was hired as the police chief in April of 2023 after the resignation of previous Chief Steve Marquez. He does not currently have a contract and is being employed on a year-to-year basis. Council members thanked both for their service to the city.
Longtime EMS Director Bert Lagarde retires from City of Marfa
MARFA — Longtime EMS Director Bert Lagarde has retired from his employment with the City of Marfa. His last day with the department was July 3.
City Manager Mandy Roane said Lagarde’s employment “predates pretty much everyone” at the city, dating back to 2000, totaling around 24 years of service. “We appreciate all of his years of service and his selfless dedication to ensuring the health and safety of our citizens and visitors alike,” Roane said. “Being a first responder is hard, often thankless work and he consistently stepped up to make our EMS service one of the best in the region.”
Lagarde did not respond to an immediate request for comment about his retirement.
Roane said, for now, EMT-paramedic Jesse Peña is acting as interim EMS director and has “really stepped up and taken the reins to keep service for citizens running smoothly.” She said the City Council is still deciding how to best move forward with filling Lagarde’s position but is continuing to search for qualified EMTs and paramedics to join the department.