BROWNSVILLE - A judge has set a trial date for a man accused in the death of two illegal immigrants last year in Brownsville.

Martin Villarreal Ramirez, 19, is accused of driving a Jeep SUV loaded with illegal immigrants when it crashed and rolled over on Raul Torres Blvd. in September, 2012. He was charged with murder and manslaughter.

Villarreal said he feared a Border Patrol unit was going to pull him over and he fled.

Two immigrants and Villarreal's 13-year-old accomplice died in the crash.

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ROWNSVILLE - Investigators continues searching for two men who swiped a woman's purse in Brownsville.

Police said the theft happened Tuesday at the Wal-Mart on Boca Chica Blvd.

One of the men got out of a dark blue Dodge pickup truck and grabbed the victim's purse. The woman had just cashed a check. Police believe the men had been casing her.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Brownsville Police Crime Stoppers at 956-546-8477.

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BROOKS COUNTY - Some drug smugglers are losing their loads to authorities, but they are not facing prosecution.

The problem is being blamed on a break in cooperation between local and federal prosecutors. The Border Prosecution Initiative is at the root of the problems, officials said.

The initiative reimburses local prosecutors in border states for taking federal cases.

Federal officials cut funding to Brooks County after an audit showed $2 million in alleged excess payments to the county.

Brooks County, in turn, stopped taking federal drug cases. County officials feared that prosecuting them could cripple their budget.

Since federal agencies, like the Drug Enforcement Administration, focus on large smuggling cases, smugglers of small loads are not being prosecuted.

A Dallas resident, busted in Falfurrias with 99 pounds of marijuana four years ago, only was slapped with a fine. Neither the DEA nor Brooks County would take the case.

The problem is not unique to Brooks County, officials said. The lack of funding is affecting other regions along the border.

Local prosecutors fear the lack of federal funds may lead to a gaping loophole smugglers can exploit.

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HARLINGEN - Police are searching for leads in the disappearance of a man in Harlingen. Earl David Alexander was last seen at Grace Point Fellowship on June 4. The 48-year-old was volunteering for an event at the church.

We're told he walked to the church that day and declined a ride home, saying it was a nice night for a walk.

Pastor Lorena Rodriguez said he acted completely normal. His family reported his disappearance on June 13. Police are now asking for the public's help in the case.

If you have any information on Earl David Alexander's whereabouts, you're asked to call Harlingen police at (956) 425-TIPS.

 

 

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MCALLEN - A mailman is accused of opening customers' mail and stealing their money.

Authorities arrested Jose Mario Cavazos at the U.S. Postal Service's processing and distribution center in McAllen. He's being held without bail, pending a detention hearing today.

Postal inspectors began investigating Cavazos in April. That's after they got tips he was opening mail while working as a sorter at the processing center.

Investigators said dye packs were placed in envelopes and Cavazos opened one, which stained his hands.

 

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HARLINGEN - A 48-year-old man from Harlingen is missing. Earl David Alexander was last seen leaving his home on June 4.

He never returned. His roommate told police that was unlike him and reported him missing. Alexander is 6' tall and weighs about 270 pounds.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Harlingen Area Crime Stoppers at (956) 425-TIPS.

 

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EDCOUCH - Officials with an organization behind the construction of a low-income housing complex in Edcouch said they are not responsible for flooding at a home next to the project.

The next door neighbor, Debra Ashabranner, said her property never flooded before the apartment complex was built.

A representative for the Cesar Chavez Foundation flew to the Rio Grande Valley to meet with Ashabranner on Tuesday.

Ashabranner showed CHANNEL 5 NEWS photos of flooding at her property. She said water drains from the Casa Messina Apartments onto her land.

"I'm in a bowl of water," Ashabranner said.

Ashabranner said construction crews elevated the ground when they built Casa Messina.

"I showed him what was going on. He said that every owner was responsible for their drainage. More of less, (he) told me that I'm responsible to fix this," Ashabranner said of her meeting with Alfredo Izmajtovich.

"I told him that my property would drain towards that ditch out there. He said it was illegal for my property to be draining onto somebody else's property. I feel like he's putting it off on me and the city," she said.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS tried to speak with Izmajtovich, but a spokesperson for the foundation said he had already flown back to Los Angeles.

The foundation insists that Ashabranner's flooding problems are not their fault. They said they would give her what is known as an easement through their property. That pathway would allow water to drain to a ditch.

"She can actually put a pipe here and put a drain with a screen and have her flow go in there," Edcouch Operations Director David Alaniz said.

But that improvement would cost $20,000, Alaniz said. It is not clear if the city is willing to pay for that. What seems certain is that the Cesar Chavez Foundation will no cover those costs.

Alaniz said he is not sure where the answer lies.

"I know it might not be her problem 100 percent, but I'm trying to do the best I can on behalf of the city of Edcouch. I know she's paying taxes, and that's why it's very important for us not to let go of people that live in our community," Alaniz said.

 

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RIO GRANDE CITY - The Starr County District Attorney's Office is investigating the possible theft of public money by city of La Grulla employees.

DA investigators and Texas Rangers entered the city hall to seize evidence in the case.

Starr County District Attorney Omar Escobar said there is what he calls substantial evidence of theft at La Grulla city hall.

He said two to four employees are likely involved. He said the amount stolen ranges from $14,000 to $18,000.

Escobar would not say which city department is involved in the alleged theft. Escobar said the investigation was actually started by his predecessor, Heriberto Silva. He said that investigation was never referred to a grand jury.

Escobar said his office will conduct an audit into La Grulla's finances. He said that probe should be done within 30 days.

La Grulla Mayor Pedro Flores was not available for comment.

 

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McALLEN - The U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force on Monday arrested a Mission man wanted for an aggravated sexual assault.

Jose Adrian Gonzalez, 36, was wanted by the Mission Police Department for aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony. It is alleged that Gonzalez sexually assaulted a child between Nov. 15, 2011, and Jan. 4, 2012.

His bond was set at $100,000.

 

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HARLINGEN - A Texas State Technical College student is facing charges of soliciting sex from a minor. The Harlingen man also faces sexual abuse charges.

Bond for Moses Stratton, 18, was set at $50,000 for the charge of online solicitation of a minor and sexual assault of a child.

A court affidavit shows Stratton met a teenager on Facebook two weeks ago and invited him to the dormitory on June 10. Stratton and the victim confessed they had intercourse.

School police found out about this when the victim showed up at the dormitory on June 11 when visitors aren't allowed. They conducted an investigation and discovered what was happening.

 

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WESLACO - FBI agents are searching for a Mexican national wanted on murder charges.

Jose Manuel Garcia Guevara, 25, of San Luis Potosi, is on the agency's 10 most-wanted list. Agents say he allegedly murdered a 26-year-old woman in the presence of her 4-year-old stepson in Lake Charles, La., in 2008.

Guevara and the victim lived in the same mobile home park. Guevara allegedly broke into the victim's home, raped her, and brutally stabbed her to death.

Agents say Guevara is believed to be in Mexico, but may have traveled to the United States using fraudulent documentation.

He is charged with second-degree murder, aggravated rape and aggravated burglary, as well as unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

The FBI says he should be considered armed and dangerous. There's a $100,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

 

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WESLACO - Emergency management coordinators are urging Rio Grande Valley residents to make hurricane evacuation plans now.

Road work on highways leading out of the Valley could cause delays in case of a mass evacuation.

Emergency coordinators said Hurricane Dolly was a wakeup call for Valley residents. They expect more people to leave the area if a hurricane sets its sights on the region.

"The time to develop a plan is now. Not when we have a storm in the gulf or in the Atlantic," Willacy County EMS Director Frank Torres said.

The plans need to include long delays on the roads. Highways 281 and 77 are under construction north of the Valley.

"The roadways will be open. We will find a way to expedite, if needed, the evacuation of the Valley," Texas Department of Transportation Director of Maintenance Pete Alvarez said.

The highways are reduced to one lane in each direction just north of the Valley.

"If steps were required to open up two lanes, we would coordinate with the contractors in that area to ensure that we had capacity to handle the traffic," Alvarez said.

That would mean moving the Jersey barriers and restriping the road. That work would take days to complete.

"Day five, day four, we'll get things ready. Day three, we're ready to evacuate," Alvarez said.

TxDOT would rely on the Border Patrol for help to expedite a mass evacuation.

"There will be a release of vehicles, but it's not going to be like everyone will arrive at once. There will be a control gate, if you will, allowing folks to go through that checkpoint," Alvarez said.

The Valley has not seen a major hurricane in decades. Hurricane Dolly was at the lowest end of the strength scale. It was a category 1.

Still, even a category 1 hurricane will force many out of their homes.

"I get water all the way inside the house," Willacy County resident Rosa Hernandez said.

Even Hidalgo County residents may be forced to evacuate.

"We're an inland county, Hidalgo County. Still, there are people that know their houses flood badly," Hidalgo County Emergency Management Coordinator Oscar Montoya said.

Many houses will not stand up to the strong winds.

"I think the people in Hidalgo County, and the Valley, are educated about this. The issue is pulling the trigger and saying at what point do I start the process," Montoya said.

Border Patrol officials told CHANNEL 5 NEWS their agents will not abandon law enforcement. They said the agents will not hinder a safe, fast evacuation either.

CLICK HERE to see the Hurricane Evacuation Routes.

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ELSA - A fence company donated the materials to erect a lasting tribute to a fallen Rio Grande Valley soldier.

All Star Fence Supplies & Manufacturing owners Melissa and Rick Huisman teamed up with America's Last Patrol to honor Army Spc. Kevin Cardoza. They will erect a flag pole outside his family's home.

"They actually go out and do the work at the fallen soldier's home. They dig the footing and make sure it's going to be sturdy and fit in the ground," Rick Huisman said.

"We give them a pole so they can build their flag," Melissa Huisman said.

"This is a little piece that they can remember them by everyday ... when they look out and see that their son or daughter is no longer with them. You can't replace that child, but know that we all have freedoms because of children like them," Melissa Huisman said.

"These are 19-year-old kids that are going out there and protecting the right for people like me to just work and be able to come into our country. So what you take away is a bit of gratitude," she said.

The Cardoza family will host a flag-raising ceremony at 7 p.m. Sunday at 4045 E. Joel Cardoza Street north of Mercedes.

For more information, call America's Last Patrol at 956-756-4695.

 

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MOORE, Okla. - A massive EF5 tornado destroyed much of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla. A wall with a mural of the school's mascot was left untouched.

That section of wall was cut and framed. It will be incorporated into the new school once it is built, Moore school officials said.

"I didn't want to see the disaster. I didn't want to see the school taken out. I didn't want to see anything," Jayden Sorrels, 11, said.

"You can look around and see. Everything that they once knew is gone," Jayden's mother, Maylene Sorrels, said.

"God has kept the panther alive on the wall," Jayden said.

"It's like saying; the panther will not ... be dead! It will stand forever," Jayden said.

Joe Nevaquaya and Gail Windsor painted the panther on the brick wall.

"We just wanted the kids to like it," Windsor said.

School officials said the panther symbolizes the school's fighting spirit.

"I was taking a picture of that panther wall," Kaylee Edwards said.

"It's been here my whole life, and that's just really cool that it's still standing," Kaylee said.

"Who doesn't remember their grade school? You know, who doesn't remember that and the feeling that it gave you," Nevaquaya said.

"Plaza Towers ... it still survives," Jayden said.

"I know we'll be back. That's who we are. Once a panther always a panther," Sorrels said.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS on June 10 launched Project Playground. The project seeks to raise $100,000 to equip the playgrounds at Plaza Towers and Briarwood elementary schools in Moore, Oklahoma

Goal
Raise $100,000 to rebuild the playgrounds for Plaza Towers and Briarwood Elementary Schools in Moore, Oklahoma. They were destroyed by tornadoes in May.

How You Can Help
Mail donations or drop them off at the KRGV Weslaco studio or at any local branch of Lone Star National Bank. Checks should be made to the Valley Relief Fund.

Sponsors
Lone Star National Bank, Burger King and LFD have agreed to donate up to $10,000 each in matching funds. What does that mean? If I donate $10, the sponsors donate $10 so my contribution becomes $20. The partners will match the first $30,000 raised.

 

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WESLACO - The number of illegal immigrants arrested in South Texas has surpassed the detentions in Arizona.

Border Patrol officials said it is the first time in a decade that the Rio Grande Valley sees more arrests than Arizona. They said the trend is not good.

"In the last month, or so, we've seen the numbers spike above the Tuscon Sector," Border Patrol Spokesman Henry Mendiola said.

Border Patrol officials said they knew there would be an increase in the number of apprehensions in the South Texas region.

"We'd already seen the numbers increase last year by 50 percent. Now we're seeing them this year increase by another 50 percent," Mendiola said.

Border Patrol agents have arrested about 100,000 illegal immigrants in the Valley this fiscal year. Sixty percent of those arrests are immigrants from countries other than Mexico.

Border Patrol has to care for the immigrants until they are processed.

"Right now, we're in a budget crunch. CBP took a $600-million hit. We're making adjustments. We brought some folks in from other sectors to address the threat. We're trying to make every way more efficient," Mendiola said.

Mendiola said there are no signs the trend will let up soon.

 

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LA GRULLA - Starr County District Attorney Omar Escobar says they are investigating a possible theft of public money from La Grulla city hall.

A district attorney investigator and Texas Rangers entered the city hall and seized a box of documents.

"There is substantial evidence of theft" involving two to four La Grulla city employees, Escobar said.

He said the amount missing is approximately $15,000.

 

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BROWNSVILLE - Motorcycle officers in Brownsville are now armed with M4 carbines.

The Brownsville Police Department chief said the weapons will allow officers to stand up to cross-border violence.

Motorcycle Police Officer Lupe Itzaguirre said officers need the firepower as cartel violence continues to grow.

"Being that we are so close to the border, we do have to compete with these high-powered rifles and guns that we are being confronted with now," the 12-year veteran police said.

Itzaguirre said he may be the first to arrive at a shootout involving cartel members. He said it's important to have the firepower available.

"We carry several other magazines within the motorcycle. It gives us extra ammunition in the event we need it," Itzaguirre said.

"We do practice making the deployment. We do try to do it as quick as possible," he said.

Itzaguirre said it's a challenge to carry the carbine on his motorcycle. The weapon is always exposed. He said officers had to come up with a custom security system.

"It is well-secured, and we always try to be close to it at all times. It does have a combination lock which only the operator of the motorcycle knows ... that's the only way the rifle can be deployed from the rifle rack," Itzaguirre said.

The Brownsville police motorcycle unit is the only one in the Rio Grande Valley armed with M4 carbines.

 

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BROWNSVILLE - Court Appointed Special Advocates began training a new group of volunteers this week in Cameron County.

The volunteers will serve as advocates for children in court cases. There are 35 children with no advocates, officials said.

CASA officials said 13 volunteers started the 30-hour training Monday night in Brownsville. The group should be certified in two months.

CASA is a network of 946 programs that recruit, train and support volunteers to represent children who have been abused or neglected.

To volunteer, call 956-546-6545.

 

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EDINBURG - Hidalgo County commissioners on Tuesday honored fallen Army Spc. Kevin Cardoza.

The commissioners unanimously passed a resolution honoring the Edcouch native. Cardoza's family was present when the proclamation was read.

Cardoza died in May after a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan.

 

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BROOKS COUNTY - An illegal immigrant was flown to a hospital in Corpus Christi hospital after Border Patrol agents rescued him from the brush in Brooks County.

Agents also saved two other immigrants. The immigrants called for help after they got lost in the brush, officials said.

Brooks County sheriff deputies said they are bracing for the next few months. They said the increasing temperatures may result in more immigrant deaths.

Sheriff's deputies said they have found 30 bodies this year. They said the body count in 2012 was 129.

 

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