Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public Safety10 current and former Mexican officials accused in US indictment of aiding drug trafficking
NEW YORK (AP) — The governor of Sinaloa and nine other current and former Mexican officials were charged with drug trafficking and weapons offenses in a U.S. indictment unsealed Wednesday in New York, accused of aiding in the massive importation of illicit narcotics into the United States. Some officials were members of Mexico's progressive ruling
Public Safety‘Nothing got destroyed’: Evidence tampering charge against Grandma’s Daycare manager dismissed by DA’s office
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office dismissed a charge against a daycare manager accused of tampering with evidence in an injury to a child case. According to Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios, there wasn’t enough evidence to move forward in the case against Alma Enriquez Garza, 58, of McAllen.
Public SafetySouth Texas Man Receives 120-Month Sentence for Role in Deadly Smuggling Plot
Texas Border Business U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 21-year-old Peñitas resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in bringing in and harboring illegal aliens. Jesus Grimaldo aka Chuy pleaded guilty Oct. 22, 2025. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Grimaldo to serve the maximum
Public SafetyPeñitas man sentenced to 10 years for human smuggling
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Peñitas man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after prosecutors say he was responsible for smuggling more than 100 people into the U.S. over a nearly three-year period, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas. A federal judge ordered Jesús "Chuy" Grimaldo, 21, of
Public SafetyGovernor of Sinaloa and Nine Other Current and Former Mexican Officials Charged with Drug Trafficking and Weapons Offenses
Texas Border Business Texas Border Business Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York The Defendants Allegedly Conspired with Leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to Import Massive Quantities of Narcotics Into the United States in Exchange for Political Support and Bribery. United States Attorney for the Southern District of New
Public SafetyCoordinated Global Takedown Shatters Scam Network with Hundreds of Arrests
Unprecedented cooperation between the FBI, Dubai Police Department, and Chinese Ministry of Public Security has resulted in the arrest of at least 276 individuals and the dismantlement of at least nine scam centers used for cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes.
Public SafetyProsecutors Claim D4vd Murdered Celeste Rivas Over Threats: 'Would End His Career'
During a court appearance on Wednesday for 21-year-old TikTok star David Burke, known as D4vd, new details emerged about the evidence against him in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernández from Southern California. Her remains were discovered in an abandoned Tesla registered to Burke. The preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for Friday, was tentatively postponed to May 26. Burke, dressed in an orange jail uniform, agreed to the delay. A defense request to allow him to change clothes and another to seal court documents were denied by the judge, citing public interest in the case. Prosecutors revealed that Burke and Celeste met in January 2022, when she was 11, and began a sexual relationship in November 2023, when she was 13 and Burke was 18. Burke was arrested on April 16 after months of investigation following the discovery of Celeste's decomposed remains in the front storage compartment of his Tesla in September 2025. The coroner determined her cause of death to be multiple stab wounds. Celeste, who disappeared from Lake Elsinore in 2024, was identified through forensic analysis. Prosecutors detailed their findings, including text messages showing arguments between Celeste and Burke, with Celeste allegedly threatening to expose their relationship and ruin Burke's career. Authorities believe Celeste died on April 23, 2025, just days before D4vd's next album release. Burke was charged on April 20, 2026, with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and illegal mutilation of human remains, along with special circumstances that could increase his sentence, including witness murder and use of a deadly weapon. Prosecutors allege Burke killed Celeste to protect his lucrative music career, which she had threatened to expose. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Public SafetySecret Service Agent Shot by Suspect During Correspondents' Dinner, Sources Say
Investigators believe the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump shot a Secret Service officer wearing a bulletproof vest, according to three law enforcement officials familiar with the case. Authorities have determined that the Uniformed Division officer was not struck by friendly fire from another law enforcement member, sources told NBC News on Wednesday. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly breached a checkpoint one floor above the ballroom of the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday, where the president was attending the White House Correspondents' Association gala. Allen was caught on video running with a shotgun and other weapons. Officials say an officer was struck in the vest and returned fire. The agent was hospitalized but discharged over the weekend. Allen was charged with firing a weapon but has not yet been formally indicted for assaulting a federal officer. A law enforcement source indicated that authorities are continuing to analyze Allen's devices, including desktop and laptop computers from his California residence, as well as his phone, laptop, and hard drives recovered from his Washington Hilton hotel room. Allen, a teacher and engineer from Torrance, California, made his first court appearance on Monday and was charged with attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and firing a weapon during a violent crime. A document filed Wednesday by prosecutors included several selfies Allen took in his hotel room Saturday night before the attack. The photos show him standing in front of his room's mirror dressed in black with a red tie. According to the court document, the suspect is seen in the image "carrying a small leather bag resembling the ammunition-filled bag later seized from him," along with a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, pliers, and wire cutters. This article was originally published in English by Kelly O’Donnell and Tim Stelloh for our sister network NBC News.
Public SafetyPeñitas Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Human Trafficking and Death of a Victim
A resident of Peñitas, identified as Jesús Grimaldo, 21, pleaded guilty in October 2025 and was recently sentenced by a federal judge in Corpus Christi. Grimaldo was considered a leader in a human trafficking network that resulted in the death of a Mexican migrant, who died from heat exposure. The victim was found in Brooks County in May 2024. Grimaldo will now serve a 120-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. According to the investigation, Grimaldo coordinated human trafficking operations between 2022 and 2025, transporting over 100 migrants after crossing the border and helping them evade checkpoints. Authorities stated that the accused recruited drivers, organized routes, and received payments for facilitating these transports, even under dangerous conditions such as hiding people in vehicle trunks during extreme heat. The court increased the severity of the sentence after determining that Grimaldo used weapons, endangered the lives of migrants, and led the organization. Investigators linked the accused to the case after discovering money transfers on the victim's phone. The judge emphasized that the death would not have occurred without Grimaldo’s involvement in the operation, and he will remain in federal custody until his transfer to prison.
Public SafetyDetails and Photos: Judicial Document Reveals Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Trump
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, faces charges for attempting to assassinate President Trump and other crimes related to an attack during the White House Correspondents' Dinner at a Washington, D.C. hotel. Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was arrested shortly after the shooting. Federal authorities report that Allen was carrying a 12-gauge Mossberg pump-action shotgun, knives, and ammunition when he ran through security. A court filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) includes photos of Allen, a registered hotel guest, allegedly taken in his room minutes before the attack. Allen has ties to Southern California, including attending Pacific Lutheran High School in Gardena and the prestigious California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. During a search of his parents' home in the Los Angeles area, authorities discovered two long gun cases, a Mossberg stock, a pistol holster, a training pistol, and shotgun ammunition, according to the filing. The DOJ released new information and photographs on Wednesday in a court document ahead of a scheduled hearing this week for Allen, who is accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The document, which requests the judge to keep Allen in custody, includes previously unpublished photos of Allen in his Washington, D.C. hotel room and lists items allegedly in his possession, as well as those recovered from his parents' home in Los Angeles County.
Public SafetyMexican Man Pleads Guilty to Posing as Border Patrol Agent with Fake ID
A Mexican man in the United States has pleaded guilty to impersonating a Border Patrol agent and following federal immigration officers to distract them during operations in Southern California. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, Jaime Ernesto Álvarez-González admitted to tailing a Border Patrol agent on January 8 as the agent drove through a San Diego neighborhood. Prosecutors revealed that Álvarez-González was driving a black Ford F-150 truck, a model often used by undercover federal agents, with a license plate frame that read 'federal truck' in small letters—though the word 'federal' was misspelled. The truck also had a Border Patrol decal on the windshield, non-functional radio antennas on the roof, and handcuffs hanging from the rearview mirror. The agent aborted his mission after noticing Álvarez-González following him, mistakenly believing other agents were responding. When confronted by actual agents, Álvarez-González reportedly shouted obscenities and demanded they leave the Linda Vista community. At one point, three additional vehicles arrived in the area and began harassing the agents, even pursuing them onto the highway. Prosecutors stated that Álvarez-González had recorded himself actively searching for federal agents involved in immigration operations and claimed he had brought 'reinforcements.' A fake FBI badge was also found in his possession. Álvarez-González pleaded guilty to one count of impersonating a federal agent and three counts of illegal firearm possession. His federal public defender did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Public SafetyComey Appears in Court, Accused of Making Threats Against Trump
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Former FBI Director James Comey appeared in court on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a criminal case against him that legal experts say poses significant challenges for the prosecution and will likely be difficult for the Department of Justice to win. Comey, who did not enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, was formally charged in North Carolina on Tuesday with making threats against President Donald Trump. The charges stem from a photo he posted on social media last year, showing seashells arranged to form the numbers '86 47.' The Department of Justice argues that these numbers constituted a threat against Trump, the 47th president.
Public SafetyU.S. Marshals Discuss Security Strategies in South Padre Island
Cameron County served as a meeting point for U.S. marshals from various regions, who gathered to strengthen security strategies and address challenges such as migration and organized crime. These meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences and coordinate efforts to improve public safety, especially in border areas like Texas and Arizona. Manuel Treviño, Cameron County Sheriff, stated, 'We all face the same challenges... especially when it comes to migration. The geography may differ, but the problems are similar.' Participants discussed strategies to combat crime, identify high-incidence areas, and track repeat offenders, particularly in cases involving firearms. Discussions also included leveraging technology and enhancing human resources. 'The most important aspect is this exchange... to understand different issues and learn how others have resolved them,' noted Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño. Authorities agreed that the migration crisis has expanded the role of local agencies, requiring them to address human and drug trafficking while maintaining community safety. In tourist destinations like South Padre Island, interagency collaboration is crucial. 'We welcome over seven million visitors a year... these partnerships allow us to strengthen our ability to solve crimes,' said Claudine O’Carroll, the area's police chief. This article was originally reported for broadcast by Telemundo 40. Artificial intelligence tools assisted in creating the digital version, and a Telemundo Digital journalist edited the article for publication.
Public SafetyMcAllen child hospitalized after vaping on school bus, authorities issue warning
Un niño de McAllen fue hospitalizado después de vapear en un autobús escolar, según informaron las autoridades locales. El incidente ha generado preocupación entre los funcionarios escolares y de salud, quienes han emitido una advertencia sobre los peligros del vapeo, especialmente entre los jóvenes. Las autoridades instan a los padres a hablar con sus hijos sobre los riesgos asociados con estos dispositivos electrónicos.
Public SafetyMexico military captures top cartel leader in another blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
Las fuerzas armadas mexicanas han logrado la captura de uno de los principales líderes del Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, considerado uno de los grupos criminales más poderosos y violentos del país. Este operativo representa un golpe significativo para la organización, que ha sido responsable de numerosos actos de violencia y tráfico de drogas en México y a nivel internacional.
Public Safety12-year-old McAllen IDEA student hospitalized after vaping on school bus, 1 student in custody
Un estudiante de 12 años de IDEA McAllen fue hospitalizado después de vapear en un autobús escolar. Las autoridades informaron que otro estudiante está bajo custodia en relación con el incidente. La escuela está colaborando con las autoridades para investigar lo sucedido y garantizar la seguridad de los estudiantes.
Public SafetyMcAllen student arrested after threatening principal with AR-15, complaint says
Un estudiante de McAllen fue arrestado después de supuestamente amenazar al director de su escuela con un rifle AR-15, según una denuncia presentada por las autoridades. El incidente ha generado preocupación en la comunidad escolar, mientras las autoridades investigan los detalles del caso.
Public Safety'We can’t live in fear': Reynosa residents push forward amid unrest
HIDALGO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz was in McAllen on Tuesday as security concerns continue to escalate just across the border, following new warnings urging people to avoid the greater Reynosa area amid a recent wave of violence linked to cartel activity. “I always hear that McAllen is one of the safest places
Public SafetyNew technology to help with auto-theft cases in Palmview
PALMVIEW, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Palmview Police Department will be awarded new technology through a state-funded grant to combat auto-theft cases in the region. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Association awarded the grant to help the police department obtain its first set of license plate readers. A total of four license plate readers will be used