Tagged News

• Brownsville woman accused of posing as Border Patrol agent in visa, job scams Play Video

  April 24, 2026 11:57 AM

  A Brownsville woman is accused of posing as a U.S. Border Patrol agent to scam people out of money in two separate fraud schemes. Mayra Collins, 29, is in federal custody facing charges of impersonating a federal agent and wire fraud, according to a news release from the office... more »

• 6 Valley men arrested after allegedly attempting to meet minor for sexual activities

  March 20, 2026 10:02 AM

  Five Rio Grande Valley men and an undocumented migrant were arrested and charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, according to a news release from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. The news release said authorities took 46-year-old Porfirio Palacios, San Juan, 54-year-old Ricardo... more »

• Federal prosecutors say Afghan national made bomb threat on TikTok video in Fort Worth

  December 2, 2025 5:13 PM

  FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A Texas man has been charged with making threats online after authorities said a video showing him threatening to build a bomb, conduct a suicide attack and kill Americans was posted to TikTok and other social media sites. The charge against Mohammad Dawood Alokozay,... more »

• Luigi Mangione fights to exclude evidence from his trial in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO

  December 1, 2025 2:30 PM

  NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione watched stoically in court Monday as prosecutors played surveillance videos showing the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City sidewalk last year and Mangione's arrest five days later at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania. The videos, including footage from the... more »

• McAllen commissioner says he won't resign following arrest on federal charges Play Video

  October 28, 2025 3:16 PM

  Among the commissioners at Monday’s McAllen city meeting was Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo. Monday marked the first time Castillo, 55, attended a city commission meeting since his Oct. 2 arrest on federal charges of smuggling goods and money laundering. As previously reported, Castillo was released on a $100,000 bond... more »

• Man who represented himself is found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at Florida golf course

  September 23, 2025 2:34 PM

  FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — The man who was charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course last year tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen shortly after being found guilty of all counts on Tuesday. Officers quickly swarmed him and dragged... more »

• Former Progreso mayor sentenced to nearly 4 years for smuggling cocaine Play Video

  July 24, 2025 10:21 AM

  Former Progreso Mayor Gerardo Alanis was sentenced Thursday to 46 months in prison in connection to a federal drug trafficking charge. Following his prison term, Alanis will serve three years of supervised release and pay a $15,000 fine. RELATED STORY: Former Progreso mayor pleads guilty to federal drug... more »

• Starr County man, two Mexican nationals arrested after 33 undocumented migrants found in box trailer Play Video

  July 22, 2025 11:46 AM

  A Starr County man and two Mexican nationals have been charged with smuggling 33 undocumented migrants, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. According to a criminal complaint, 64-year-old Joe Michael Cruz, of Rio Grande City, and 19-year-old Elbis Lisandro Moreno Uruqia... more »

• Man charged with killing Minnesota lawmaker plans to plead not guilty

  July 16, 2025 12:06 PM

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man plans to plead not guilty to charges he killed the top Democratic leader in the state House and her husband after wounding another lawmaker and his wife, his attorney said. Vance Boelter, 57, is due in federal court for his arraignment on Sept.... more »

• Smugglers to spend life in prison for 53 migrant deaths in 2022 human smuggling tragedy in Texas

  June 28, 2025 1:52 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Two smugglers convicted of federal charges in connection with the deaths of 53 migrants found in the back of a sweltering tractor-trailer in Texas in 2022 will spend the rest of their lives in prison after being sentenced Friday on the third anniversary of the tragedy.... more »

• Suspect posed as a gardener in Boulder attack and planned to kill all in group he called 'Zionist'

  June 2, 2025 4:14 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A man posing as a gardener to get close to a group in Boulder holding their weekly demonstration for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza planned to kill them all with Molotov cocktails, authorities said Monday. But he had second thoughts and only threw... more »

• Feds: Arroyo Terminals crude oil scheme conspired to provide material support to cartel Play Video

  May 30, 2025 6:00 PM

  The father and son who were arrested in connection with a scheme to smuggle crude oil into the United States illegally have now been charged with allegedly conspiring to "materially support a Mexican cartel previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization," according to a news release. According to a... more »

• Valley Dealership Fraud Investigation Leads to 3 More Arrests, Charges Play Video

  October 30, 2019 10:21 PM

  MCALLEN – More people are facing charges in what authorities describe as a “car loan scam”. CHANNEL 5 NEWS reported about three Rio Grande Valley dealership employees indicted on fraud charges in June. Now, 55-year-old Samuel Sanchez of McAllen, 52-year-old Soundra Lopez of Weslaco and 46-year-old Jorge Garza... more »

• Case Against La Joya Housing Authority Vice Chair Moves Forward Play Video

  October 8, 2019 10:55 AM

  MCALLEN – The case against a La Joya housing authority official is moving forward. Jury selection is set for Dec. 3 in the case against Sylvia Valdez. She's accused of giving more than $5,000 to someone in hopes of securing a public relations contract. For more information... more »

• Couple Caught Smuggling Over 20,000 Tramadol Pills at Brownsville Bridge Play Video

  September 4, 2019 6:11 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A couple caught smuggling a dangerous drug through the border are facing federal charges. Maria Esperanza Garcia and Hector Fuentes-Gutierrez were arrested after entering the country with undeclared prescription medicine. The amount they were carrying exceeded personal use. It happened August 18 as they re-entered... more »

• Former Valley Police Sergeant Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison Play Video

  July 18, 2019 8:56 AM

  MCALLEN – A former Rio Grande Valley police sergeant was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years probation Thursday morning. The judge issued just about the lowest possible prison time to Geovani Hernandez. Due to the crimes committed and the decisions made, Hernandez was looking at... more »

• Harlingen Teen had Explosive Compounds and White Supremacy Imagery Play Video

  June 21, 2019 9:04 PM

  HARLINGEN – Authorities have released more information of what was siezed from the Harlingen teen accused of possessing chemicals to make explosives. Joel Hayden Schrimsher, 19, was arrested two weeks ago. He was charged with making threats against religious groups and having components of explosives. According to court documents,... more »

• 3 Valley Car Dealership Employees Indicted for Wire Fraud

  June 20, 2019 6:07 PM

  MCALLEN – Three former Rio Grande Valley dealership employees have been indicted by a federal grand jury on fraud charges. According to a release, 44-year-old Ronnie Joe Gomez of Pharr, 44-year-old David Salinas of McAllen and 50-year-old George Villanueva of San Antonio were arrested Thursday in connection to a... more »

• Cuban Man Faces Federal Charges after Jumping Border Bridge Barrier Play Video

  June 4, 2019 11:57 AM

  HIDALGO – A Cuban man is facing federal charges for trying to run into the U.S. at a Rio Grande Valley bridge. It happened at the Hidalgo port of entry Monday. According to a court document, the man jumped over a barrier and ran from the Mexican side... more »