Separate case finds ammunition stash
Presidio
Presidio businessman Tiburcio “Butch” Acosta—arrested on federal gun smuggling charges on November 13—told investigators that the La Linea cartel “buttered him up” to get him involved in smuggling weapons to them, according to federal court records.
On Monday, U.S. Texas Western District Judge David Counts denied a motion from prosecutors to detain Acosta without bail and set a bond of $30,000. The prosecution is appealing that ruling—saying that the defendant is a danger to the community and a flight risk. The judge stayed Acosta’s possible release until he makes a ruling on that motion. “[When arrested, Acosta] did not directly admit to trafficking firearms, however when asked why he got involved in the scheme his response was that they ‘buttered him up’ which the Government argues is tantamount to an admission,” the prosecution’s appeal motion stated.
Acosta, 50, and another man arrested for allegedly smuggling with him—Adalberto Jaquez-Hinojosa of Presidio—face three felony counts related to smuggling, the most serious of which, trafficking in firearms, is punishable by 15 years in prison. Counts denied a defense motion to set bond for Jaquez-Hinojosa, who is a Mexican citizen. On the original motion to detain Acosta without bond, prosecutors stated he is not a U.S. citizen and is not “lawfully admitted for permanent residence.” After consultation with a public defender, it may be that the prosecution just “checked that box” without doing the work to establish whether he is a citizen–since accounts from all others said he is. Request for comments from U.S. attorneys and Acosta’s public defender have not received a response.
U.S. Assistant Attorney Steven Spitzer wrote that investigators had mobile phone records from Acosta, Jaquez-Hinojosa, and another source with discussions about smuggling weapons to the La Linea cartel. He also wrote that investigators had a cooperating witness, unnamed, who corroborates those discussions, including putting weapons in Acosta’s car to take to Mexico. “These conversations indicated that trafficked firearms were dropped off with Defendant in Presidio prior to being taken across the border,” the appeal motion stated. “The firearms discussed included a SCAR which is a high-powered military grade assault rifle as well as other semi-automatic firearms highly sought after by cartels.”
Presented at the hearing were 22 letters from friends, business associates and family—including Acosta’s wife, Laura Viramantes—praising Acosta as a loving father of his two sons and a hard-working business manager who finds time to donate his famous briskets to the church and other community fundraisers. Included in those pleas to release Acosta on bond were letters from Nancy Arevalo, Presidio County tax assessor, and Ruben Ortega, a Brewster County commissioner. Arevalo noted that she ran with Acosta in the 2024 Democratic Primary when Acosta lost his bid for county commissioner in a runoff by 22 votes to Franky Ortiz.
Though no one contacted by Big Bend Sentinel wanted to comment publicly about the charges, several officials and friends of Acosta said they were shocked by the arrest of the popular Presidio resident. Acosta manages the UETA tax-free store in Presidio, runs a shipping business and is known for helping out with towing cars.
In another case, a cache of ammunition and two pistols were found in an abandoned Presidio home last Thursday, and the Presidio Police Department continues to work with Homeland Security Investigations agents on identifying more suspects in weapon and ammunition smuggling, Police Chief Adan “Pugi” Cavos said Sunday. No suspects have yet been arrested in connection with the discovery, Covos said.
According to a statement on the department’s Facebook page, officers found 6,400 rounds of high-caliber ammunition and two 9mm pistols. The contraband was intended to be smuggled to Mexico, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Ojinaga—which had faced a rash of gunfights in popular gathering places and additional violence to the south near Coyame del Sotol—had quieted down in the previous week. The La Linea cartel controls much of Chihuahua. An offshoot of the Juarez cartel, it has been in recent warfare with the Sinaloa cartel.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on December 4 from the original print version to clarify the issue of Acosta’s citizenship.