Presidio police chase results in collision, injured agent in smuggling case
PRESIDIO — A black SUV filled with an alleged smuggler and undocumented individuals led Presidio Police and county deputies on a chase on O’Reilly Street on Thanksgiving Thursday before smashing into a Border Patrol vehicle near Bomar Street in front of the AutoZone store.
According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Texas, “Three Fort Cavazos soldiers were arrested on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle undocumented noncitizens.” Fort Cavazos is an Army fort based in Killeen, Texas, formerly known as Fort Hood.The release stated: “According to court documents, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent initiated a vehicle stop in Presidio on November 27. The vehicle fled as the agent approached the passenger side and struck a second USBP vehicle, injuring an agent inside, according to the filed criminal complaint. Presidio County deputies and Presidio police officers eventually stopped the vehicle and apprehended four individuals, three of whom were undocumented noncitizens — one Mexican national and two Guatemalan nationals. The fourth individual was Emilio Mendoza Lopez, who claimed to be the front seat passenger in the vehicle. The driver, alleged to be Angel Palma, fled on foot and was located the following day at a hotel in Odessa.The extent of the injuries to the Border Patrol agent were unknown as of The Big Bend Sentinel deadline.
The release continued, “Mendoza Lopez and Palma allegedly traveled from Fort Cavazos to Presidio for the purpose of picking up and transporting undocumented noncitizens. A third individual, Enrique Jauregui, is alleged to be the recruiter and facilitator of the human smuggling conspiracy. Data extracted from Palma’s phone through a search warrant revealed messages between the three soldiers indicating collaboration in the smuggling operation.”Mendoza Lopez made his initial appearance December 2 in Alpine before U.S. Magistrate Judge David B. Fannin. Mendoza Lopez is charged with one count of bringing in and harboring aliens, according to the release. Palma and Jauregui are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske for their initial appearance hearings in Waco on December 6.
The two codefendants are charged in a separate criminal complaint with one count of bringing in and harboring aliens and one count of assaulting a federal agent. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. HSI, USBP and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Cayton is prosecuting the case.
Alpine seeks building inspector after director resignation
ALPINE — The City of Alpine posted on its Facebook page on December 2 that it is actively seeking a third-party inspector to “work with contractors and individuals with pending inspections to minimize delays and ensure projects can continue in a timely manner during the absence of a Building Official.”
The head of Alpine Building Services, Robert Rückes, resigned last after conflicts with city officials. The post advised: “In the meantime, please contact Building Services at 432-837-3281, option 2 for assistance with permits, inspections, and other building related needs.”
Roanoke woman survives 30 hours lost in Big Bend Ranch State Park
PRESIDIO COUNTY –– Last Wednesday, search and rescue crews on a multi-agency search in Big Bend Ranch State Park were greeted with good news when Debra Staples, a missing cyclist, turned up alive at the Sauceda Ranger Station in the interior of the park.
Staples, a 56-year-old woman from North Texas, was separated from her husband last Tuesday morning as the pair set off to cycle the Contrabando Trail System, a popular network of cycling single and double-tracks. Around 9:30 a.m., her husband took off. She followed shortly after, but accidentally took a different trail.
Staples suffered a flat tire and opted to leave the bike behind, circling the trail system for five hours. When she came upon her bike again, she decided to take it with her, making her way on foot over 20 miles to the interior of the park.
After a 30-hour odyssey through some of the most difficult and remote terrain in Texas, Staples was able to notify search crews of her location and was reunited with her family.
Alpine PD offers station to receive packages
ALPINE — In an effort to stop “porch pirates,” the Alpine Police Department is offering year-round delivery to the police station, where residents can then pick up their packages at any time in a program it’s calling “Operation Front Porch.”
The department advises to ship to:
(Your Name)
Alpine Police Department
309 W. Sul Ross Avenue
Alpine, TX 79830
In order to pick up the package you will need:
1. A government form of identification (state drivers license, identification with a picture)
2. Order receipt/proof of shipment
3. For parents picking up packages addressed to their child(ren), parents must provide proof of guardianship and/or the child’s identification.
APD will not charge for their service but noted it will “be happy to take a donation of a Christmas Gift for a child” for the Alpine Police Department’s Blue Santa drive.
