Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyLaredo CBP Officers Apprehend Tennessee Homicide Suspect
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry recently arrested Edgar Beltran, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, who was wanted for homicide in Tennessee. On July 7, during a secondary inspection at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge, officers used biometric verification to confirm his identity and discovered an active felony warrant issued by the Metro Nashville Police Department. Beltran was taken to Webb County jail to await further legal proceedings. Port Director Alberto Flores emphasized the importance of such apprehensions in maintaining border security and delivering justice for victims.
Public SafetyTeens charged after consuming alcohol at McAllen bar using fake Mexican IDs
Four minors were charged after consuming alcohol at Sala De Despecho bar in McAllen using fake Mexican IDs. Eduardo Cervantes, Diego De Leon, Jorge Richaud, and a female minor faced charges including public intoxication and misrepresentation of age. The incident on July 3 involved a 17-year-old female who was found extremely intoxicated and required medical assistance. McAllen police conducted a check and discovered the minors had ordered multiple alcoholic drinks. Cervantes admitted to using a fake ID to gain entry. All four were taken into custody, and the hospitalized female was later transferred to Driscoll Children's Hospital for observation.
Public SafetyBreaking News: Vehicle Overturns in Alamo
An accident has been reported where a vehicle overturned north of the city of Alamo, on Iowa Street. DPS patrols and the Edinburg Fire Department are on the scene. This is a breaking news story. We will have more information for you shortly. Thank you for choosing TELEMUNDO 40.
Public SafetyPalm tree sparks fire, damages two homes in Donna
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A palm tree that came into contact with a power line started an electrical fire that spread to two homes, according to the Hidalgo County Fire Marshall. At approximately 2:20 a.m. on Thursday, fire officials responded to the 7400 block of Gene Street in Donna in reference to a fire. According to
Public SafetyInvestigation Underway into Mysterious Death of 18-Year-Old Who Disappeared on Boat Trip July 4
A July 4 celebration ended in tragedy this week when a Mississippi teenager on a boating trip with friends went missing, and his body was found on the shore days later, authorities reported. An investigation has been launched into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, as speculation about the circumstances of the case spreads online. Wells was last seen boating with friends around 3 p.m. on Saturday near Horn Island, a barrier island off the coast of Mississippi accessible only by boat, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. He was wearing blue swim trunks and sunglasses. Wells' mother reported him missing that night after he did not return on the boat with the rest of the group, according to Ben Crump, the prominent civil rights attorney hired by Wells' family.
Public SafetyMan Accused of Mutilating His Genitals and Using Them to Start a Fire in His Mother's House
A man from Indiana faces a felony charge after allegedly cutting off his genitals and using the severed organ to ignite a fire in a garage, authorities reported. Christopher Peden, a 36-year-old from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is charged with arson, a felony, in connection with a fire he allegedly started in his mother's garage on May 6, according to court documents. Fort Wayne firefighters were dispatched to the garage fire around the same time local police received a call about a stabbing, according to court documents. At the scene, Peden initially told authorities he had been stabbed downtown and that someone had threatened him the day before. Later, at the hospital, he told an officer that he entered the garage around 2 a.m. and used a kitchen knife to mutilate his genitals, according to court documents.
Public SafetyMan Loses Hand While Picking Up Fireworks Debris on California Beach
A man lost his hand after an explosive device detonated while he was picking up fireworks debris on Point St. George Beach in Del Norte County, California. Jason Turner and his girlfriend were cleaning the beach when he accidentally activated a cylindrical object that exploded. He was found with severe injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. Investigators have not yet identified the device that caused the explosion. A GoFundMe campaign created by his daughter has raised nearly $90,000 for his medical expenses. Authorities warn the public to avoid handling suspicious objects and to contact law enforcement immediately.
Public SafetyFederal agents at scene of deadly ICE shooting in Houston didnt have body cameras, DHS says
A tragic incident in Houston involved the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent, who was not the intended target of the operation. U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia confirmed that Salgado Araujo, a long-time resident and homebuilder, was close to obtaining legal status. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the agents did not wear body cameras during the operation, attributing this to past government shutdowns. An investigation is underway by the Harris County District Attorney's office, and LULAC is offering a $5,000 reward for witness information. Three individuals were detained during the incident.
Public SafetyJudge extends restraining order preventing Brownsville midtown bars from closing
A judge has extended a temporary restraining order that protects seven bars in Brownsville's Midtown Entertainment District from closure due to alleged code violations. Initially signed on June 25, 2026, the order now lasts until July 22, 2026, when the next hearing is set. The bars affected include Antrito, Hong Kong, Bar Rio, Clasico, The Jungle, Vida Loca, and Mal Verde. The city had previously shut them down for issues such as serving minors and illegal substances. The extension was granted after the judge withdrew from the case, prompting an emergency motion from the plaintiffs.
Public SafetyDonna family of 8 escapes overnight house fire started by palm tree
A family of eight was displaced after a house fire in Donna, caused by a palm tree frond igniting an overhead power line. The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. near Minnesota and Val Verde roads. Firefighters from Donna and Elsa responded to the emergency. Rigoberto Regalado, who spent nearly 15 years building the home, reported hearing what sounded like fireworks before discovering the blaze. Fortunately, all family members, including five children and one grandchild, escaped unharmed. The home is a total loss, and the family is currently staying with relatives while receiving assistance from local services.
Public SafetyDPS Adds Sherman Man to 10 Most Wanted List
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has placed James Lee Kirby from Sherman on its 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. A reward of up to $7,500 is being offered by Texas Crime Stoppers for information leading to his capture. Kirby, 49, has been wanted since February 2, 2026, for failing to appear in court related to charges of first-degree rape and incest. He also has an outstanding warrant for aggravated sexual assault. Kirby is described as 6'4" and weighing between 250 and 300 pounds, with multiple tattoos. Tips can be submitted anonymously through various methods.
Public SafetyDonna home destroyed after palm tree catches fire
A fire in Donna, Texas, began early Thursday morning when a palm tree came into contact with an electrical power line. The blaze spread to two homes on Gene Street, resulting in one home being declared a total loss. The fire was reported around 2:20 a.m., prompting responses from the Donna and Elsa fire departments. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries in the incident, according to the Hidalgo County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Public SafetyForensic Institute classifies immigrant's death during ICE operation as homicide
HOUSTON – The death of Lorenzo Salgado has been classified as a homicide, according to case information released by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. The cause of death is listed as a penetrating gunshot wound to the torso. Meanwhile, community organizations report that the family is trying to recover his body. Community leaders revealed this during a press conference where it was expected that the victim's son, Ronaldo Salgado, would be present; however, LULAC Executive Director Juan Proaño stated that both he and the family are dealing with the recovery of Lorenzo Salgado's body and his belongings. According to Proaño, before Salgado was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the hospital, all of his identification was removed, leaving nothing to identify him, which has apparently caused a series of complications for the family.
Public SafetyShe Entered Her Home and Disappeared. Five Years Later, Her Husband Was Convicted of Murdering Her
SAN DIEGO – The jury in Chula Vista took just five hours to find Larry Millete guilty on Thursday of murdering his wife, Maya, in 2021. The first-degree murder verdict comes more than five years after the mother of three entered her home in San Miguel Ranch and was never seen again. Upon the reading of the verdict, sobs and tears were heard from Maya's family, followed by numerous hugs. Maya's family was the first to exit the courtroom amid cheers in the hallway, while Larry's family sat silently. After the verdict was read, he leaned towards his attorneys and appeared to thank them, with red eyes. The jury had several options for a guilty verdict, including second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter. They opted for the most severe conviction, indicating they believed Maya's murder was premeditated. Judge Enrique Camarena will impose a prison sentence that will keep Larry Millete incarcerated for a minimum of 25 years; however, he could die in prison if he is never granted parole. A sentencing date has not yet been set, although appeals in the case may delay it. District Attorney: Larry Showed a 'Pattern of Increasing Control and Obsession' San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan issued a statement Thursday afternoon regarding the verdict, stating: 'The evidence demonstrated a pattern of increasing control, obsession, and planning that culminated in Maya's disappearance.' Maya's body has never been found. 'Justice has finally been served for May and for all those who have borne the weight of her absence for over five years,' Stephan said in the statement. 'Our hearts are with Maya's family and friends, and especially with her three children, who have suffered an unimaginable loss,' Stephan added. 'Delayed justice can never erase years of pain, but today's verdict confirms that no victim is forgotten and no family is abandoned in our pursuit of the truth.' Stephan highlighted Christy Bowles for leading the prosecution over seven weeks. 'Veteran prosecutor Christy Bowles argued that while May's remains have never been recovered, the evidence undeniably shows that she was murdered by her husband,' the statement read. A Case Based Solely on Circumstantial Evidence Over 25 days of testimony, the prosecution worked diligently to leave no doubt in the jury's mind that Maya was murdered by her husband, Larry. That case, based entirely on circumstantial evidence, did not provide verified information about when Maya died, how she died, or what happened to her body. Instead, Deputy District Attorney Christy Bowles presented a roadmap of digital evidence and testimonies that revealed Larry's desperation to save his marriage. Bowles argued that when he could no longer control Maya, he turned to online sorcerers, subliminal messages, and digital tracking. Prosecutors said another key component of Larry's spiral of behaviors was a relationship between Maya and a subordinate coworker. Many of those sordid details were revealed for the first time during the trial, including evidence that Maya chose to terminate a pregnancy resulting from that relationship. Bowles claimed that Larry's desperation reached its peak on January 7, 2021, when Maya told him, without a doubt, that she would file for divorce. The jury was shown emails and text messages, in Larry's own words, from that day, where he said: 'I'm shaking inside and about to explode' and 'I'm about to lose control.' Although neighborhood surveillance cameras recorded Maya entering her home that night, none showed evidence of her leaving. In their only testimony offering an explanation for this enigma, Larry's defense attorneys said it was because Maya left the house voluntarily, taking a route that avoided being captured by more than half a dozen cameras. They claimed that this route involved jumping the family's backyard fence, moving through a drainage ditch, and then walking along a mountain path to one of several exits from the neighborhood. The defense did not provide any testimony about Larry's whereabouts the day after Maya was last seen alive. Prosecutors highlighted indications of a 12-hour unexplained gap for Larry on January 8, 2021. They said his phone was inactive during that period and that his SUV accumulated over 400 unaccounted miles. According to the prosecution, these figures led them to believe he traveled to a desert area he knew well, near the California-Arizona border. In an unknown location, they argued, he disposed of Maya's body. Larry chose not to testify in his own defense, despite two interviews from jail with NBC 7 Investigates in which he repeatedly dodged questions about his whereabouts, telling them he couldn't wait to share his side during the trial. Who Was Maya Millete? May 'Maya' Millete was a mother of three from Chula Vista and the wife of Larry Millete. She was last seen on January 7, 2021, after disappearing just days before a planned trip for her daughter's birthday. Her husband, Larry Millete, was charged with murdering Maya in 2021 and disposing of her body, which has never been found. He has maintained his innocence since her disappearance. At the time of her disappearance, Maya worked at the SWRMC, the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center of the U.S. Navy. She was a devoted mother to her three young children. Maya Millete's disappearance has shocked San Diego County. Strangers have collaborated in countless searches and have closely followed updates on the case, hoping for the day they find her.
Public SafetyU.S. Border Patrol Detains Previously Deported Felon with Child Sex Crime Conviction
On July 4, U.S. Border Patrol agents in Del Rio apprehended Cristobal Cortes-Cartagena, a 39-year-old Honduran man with a history of child sex crimes. During a train check operation, he and two others jumped from a railcar. Cortes-Cartagena was previously convicted in California in 2010 for lewd acts with a child under 14 and served five years in prison. After being deported, he reentered the U.S. illegally in 2017 and faced additional charges for failing to register as a sex offender. He now faces up to 20 years in prison for reentry after deportation, according to federal law.
Public SafetyConvicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Return to U.S.
Ivan Garcia-Lopez, a 37-year-old Mexican national with a felony record, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the U.S. after being previously deported. He pleaded guilty on April 10, and U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett emphasized the seriousness of his past crimes, which include illegal reentry and aggravated assault. Garcia-Lopez was first deported in 2012 and was found again in Houston on September 8, 2025, after being arrested for evading arrest. Following his prison term, he will be deported again. The case was part of Operation Take Back America, targeting illegal immigration and violent crime.
Public SafetyNorth Browne Avenue (CR 115) Bridge Replacement Project in Cameron County set to begin July 20
The North Browne Avenue (CR 115) bridge replacement project in Cameron County will close the road between Boca Chica Boulevard and Houston Avenue from July 20 to October 19. During this period, detour signs will guide drivers around the closure using Oklahoma Avenue, Medford Avenue, Houston Avenue, and Haven Road. The existing bridge over a drainage ditch will be demolished and replaced with a new, wider structure featuring two travel lanes and 5-foot shoulders, improving safety and traffic flow in the area.
Public SafetyTemporary Closure of Alamo Rd; Authorities Urge Drivers to Take Alternate Routes
ALAMO, Texas — Drivers traveling through the city of Alamo should take precautions as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced a complete closure of a section of FM 907 (Alamo Road) on the night of Thursday, July 9, 2026. According to the notice, the closure will affect the stretch between Interstate 2 (I-2) and Duranta Avenue, and will be in effect from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Authorities indicated that the closure is temporary, so motorists should use alternate routes to reach their destinations and anticipate possible delays. TxDOT recommends planning trips in advance, adhering to signage in the area, and driving cautiously to ensure the safety of workers and those traveling through the area. Authorities thanked the community for their patience while the scheduled work is carried out. Details of the closure: Location: FM 907 (Alamo Road), between I-2 and Duranta Avenue. Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026. Time: 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Recommendation: Use alternate routes and expect delays.
Public SafetyVideo shows daycare worker tossing child in air, dropping him
The boy is still experiencing symptoms from the traumatic brain injury, including loss of hearing, according to the complaint.