Starr County families awarded over $1 billion in wrongful death lawsuit following Pecos plant explosion

Two families from Starr County have been awarded over $1 billion in a wrongful death lawsuit following a tragic explosion at a Pecos chemical plant in October 2023 that claimed the lives of Angel Alaffa and Reinaldo Garcia Pena. The jury found Upton Assets LLC, the plant's owner, fully responsible for failing to provide a safe working environment, as OSHA standards were not met. Attorney Matthew McMullen emphasized the importance of worker safety and urged others in the Rio Grande Valley to report unsafe conditions. The families sought justice for the loss of their loved ones, and the verdict reflects the jury's commitment to workers' rights.

Murder suspect in custody, to be arraigned: Weslaco police

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A murder suspect is in custody and is expected to appear before a judge on Wednesday, according to the Weslaco Police Department. The arraignment is expected to take place at 12 p.m. Weslaco police said details about the case will be provided after the court hearing. ValleyCentral will livestream the arraignment

Homicide Case: Weslaco Police Provide Details on Formal Charges

The Police Department announced that a hearing will be held regarding charges against a homicide suspect in the city of Weslaco. The appearance is scheduled for noon at the Police Department Office, located at 300 South Bridge Street. According to preliminary information, authorities are expected to provide more details about the case once the hearing concludes, which can be followed live on our website and TELEMUNDO 40's digital platforms.

Law Firm Reports on Lawsuit Against Ramón Ayala's Musical Group

According to information provided by The Buzbee Law Firm, the cases were filed by several plaintiffs identified as 'John Does,' who claim to have been victims of inappropriate conduct by a member of the band Los Bravos del Norte. It is important to note that the lawsuits also indicate that other band members, as well as related entities, were aware of the incidents and did not act to stop them, which, according to the legal documents, allowed the conduct to continue. The law firm stated that a press conference is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., and it can be followed live on all digital platforms of TELEMUNDO 40.

Counselor Who Supplied Fatal Dose of Ketamine to Matthew Perry Faces Sentencing

An addiction counselor who provided 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry with the ketamine doses that led to his death is set to be sentenced on Wednesday. Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison term for Erik Fleming, 56, one of five individuals who pleaded guilty in connection with the actor's death in 2023, which occurred in the jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. Fleming connected Perry with Jasveen Sangha, the convicted drug dealer whom prosecutors dubbed 'the ketamine queen.' She was sentenced last month to 15 years in prison. Defense attorneys are requesting a three-month jail sentence and nine months in a residential drug treatment center, arguing in a sentencing memo that Fleming 'has made extreme efforts to amend his criminal behavior.' Fleming turned over Sangha to investigators as soon as he was contacted and, in August 2024, became the first defendant to plead guilty, admitting to a charge of ketamine distribution resulting in death, even before arrests in the case were announced. He will be the fourth defendant in the case to be sentenced in the federal courtroom of Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles. This will be his first court appearance since his role in the case became public.

SpaceX Targets May 19 for New Starship Launch

As part of the preparations for the twelfth test flight of its Starship rocket, SpaceX reminds that the date may change depending on various technical and weather factors. This upcoming launch is part of the ongoing development of the Starship system, which is considered key for future space missions, including lunar exploration and trips to Mars. SpaceX announced that it will establish a safety perimeter in coordination with local authorities, measures aimed at ensuring the safety of the public and personnel during the launch. Local authorities, through the city of Starbase, will be issuing public notices regarding beach and road closures. Additionally, interested individuals can receive updates by texting the word 'BEACH' to 1-866-513-3475.

"I'm going to shoot you in the head": Legal documents name woman in assault case

Jessica Quintanilla, 38, faces a felony charge following an incident on April 26 in rural Edinburg, according to court documents from the 4th Judicial District in Hidalgo County. The victims, Samantha Rincón and Jonathan García, reported that they were aggressively followed by Mark Quintanilla, who blocked their path. Jessica exited the vehicle and received a black handgun from Mark, which she tucked into her waistband. She allegedly threatened, "I’m going to shoot you in the head," prompting fears for the victims' safety. Video evidence corroborates their statements, and the investigation continues as authorities establish probable cause for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Authorities Seek to Identify Woman in Brownsville Truck Theft

The Brownsville Police Department is investigating the theft of a 2024 Ford F-150 truck. Authorities are seeking a woman considered a person of interest in the case. They urge anyone who recognizes her or has relevant information to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 546-TIPS or submit tips through the website www.p3tips.com. The investigation is ongoing as they work to gather more details about the incident.

Portion of San Benito highway dedicated to fallen police Lt. Milton Resendez

A section of State Highway 345 in San Benito has been renamed the Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway to honor the fallen police officer who served the community for over 30 years. Lt. Resendez was killed in the line of duty in October 2023. San Benito Police Chief Mario Perea emphasized the significance of the location, stating that it runs through the heart of the city. The renaming initiative was led by state Rep. Janie Lopez, who advocated for the bill. The community has expressed gratitude for this tribute, as many remember Resendez fondly. Two suspects are charged in his murder, with one facing trial in 2026.

Mission coffee shop gets new door following string of break-ins

Twisted Sistas Coffee Co. in Mission has experienced its second break-in in a month, with a large rock thrown through the front door. Lead team member Viviana Guerrero reported that the incident occurred between Friday night and Saturday morning. The previous break-in on April 15 resulted in the theft of the cash register and significant damages. Fortunately, nothing was stolen this time. A local glass company, Muñoz Glass Works, replaced the broken door for free after seeing the incident on social media. The coffee shop has upgraded its security system and plans to install cameras soon. No arrests have been made yet.

Alamo man charged with whipping stepchild

Man refused field sobriety test following Edinburg crash that killed mother, injured 2 boys: Docs

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) —  An alleged drunk driver reportedly refused a field sobriety test following a crash that killed a mother and critically injured two boys, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral. Miguel Angel Suarez, 31, of Edinburg, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, manslaughter, four counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing

Alamo stepfather struck child with horse whip, issued $250K bail: Sheriff

ALAMO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Alamo stepfather accused of striking a child with a horse whip has been charged with injury to a child, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. At approximately 7:56 a.m. on Monday, a Hidalgo County deputy responded to an IDEA school in Alamo regarding a report of child abuse that took

Edinburg man gets 4-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter in 2022 shooting

An Edinburg man, Alphie Howard Slough, has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter related to a shooting that occurred in 2022. Initially charged with murder, Slough accepted a plea deal on May 8, 2023. He was credited with 1,290 days already served. The incident involved the shooting of 24-year-old Ricardo Guzman, whose body was discovered on a driveway in the 2700 block of Alberta Road on October 25, 2022. Slough surrendered to authorities shortly after the incident.

Arrest warrant issued for man accused of assaulting and handcuffing a woman in McAllen

The McAllen Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for 34-year-old Roberto Joshua Trevino, accused of assaulting and handcuffing a 31-year-old woman on May 7 in the 1300 block of East Daffodil Avenue. The victim sustained facial injuries during the incident. Trevino faces charges of assault and unlawful restraint. He is described as 5'11" tall, weighing around 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. His last known address is in Donna. Authorities encourage anyone with information about Trevino's location to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-687-8477.

McAllen police searching for armed robbery suspects

She Was Like Possessed: Mental Deterioration of Mother Accused of Stabbing Her Son Revealed

New details from X-rays shed light on the emotional state of Melicelis Ortiz, the woman charged with stabbing her seven-year-old son in Barranquitas, after her sister provided her account of the events on Tuesday and notes written by Ortiz weeks before the incident were revealed. The case came to public attention last Monday when the attack was reported at a residence in the Jardines neighborhood. However, until now, one of the few people present in the home during the early morning and who was also injured had not spoken. Ortiz's sister stated that the woman had shown emotional and mental deterioration weeks before the tragedy, a situation that, according to her, was evident to close family members. As part of the investigation, the X-ray team accessed a notebook with notes written by Ortiz between February and March 2026. In them, Ortiz describes hearing voices, feeling watched in her apartment, and believing that neighbors were monitoring her conversations and activities. The notes reflect a pattern of constant fear, with references to death threats, physical assaults, and expressions of paranoia. In several writings, the woman claims to have gone to the police station seeking help and receiving guidance to go to court. She also mentions communications with a social worker. In one of the notes, the woman recounts hearing people say they would attack her, while in another, she describes finding an alleged tracking device on an object, which heightened her sense of being watched. CONTEXT: A judge from the Aibonito Court found probable cause for Ortiz's arrest on May 5, facing two charges of attempted murder, two for violating the Weapons Law, and one for child abuse. The magistrate set bail at $500,000, which she did not post, so she remains in jail. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 19. According to the investigation, the minor sustained approximately 37 stab wounds, while the accused's sister was also injured. Authorities continue to investigate the case, as questions arise about the prior handling of the situation and the woman's efforts to seek help before the violent incident.

Edinburg smoke shop barricade suspect demanded 'pre-roll' THC products before capture: Records

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who barricaded himself inside an Edinburg smoke shop earlier this month also allegedly threatened the store cashier with a handgun and demanded the shop's inventory of "pre-roll" THC products, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral. The barricade situation prompted a four-hour-long standoff with SWAT and the Edinburg Police

McAllen Police Searching for Two Armed Robbery Suspects

McAllen Police are seeking help from the public to locate two suspects involved in an aggravated robbery that occurred on May 4, 2026. The incident took place at an apartment complex on the 2500 block of North McColl Road, where the suspects threatened the victim with a handgun and stole personal belongings. The suspects have been identified as 27-year-old Luis Armando Jasso, who is about 5'10'' and weighs around 195 pounds, and 30-year-old Andoni Garcia, who is approximately 5'4'' and weighs about 130 pounds. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact McAllen CrimeStoppers at (956) 687-8477.