FBI Warns Parents of Minors About Digital Extortions by Group 764

The FBI announced on Tuesday a warning to parents about a cyber group targeting minors for extortion. The group, known as '764,' seeks to connect with young people through video games and/or social media platforms, gaining their trust by posing as friends and then convincing them to harm themselves or others. '764,' which operates globally, encourages its victims to share personal information, explicit photos, and videos, which are later used for extortion. Once victims are in this position, they are forced to continue creating new content that escalates to sexual and even violent behavior. When victims refuse to comply, members of these networks sometimes livestream this content, send it to their families, or post it online. Additionally, they may intimidate their victims through 'swatting' (making a false emergency report to 911), 'doxxing' (sharing personal information publicly), or vandalism at their homes. Currently, the FBI is investigating over 450 individuals linked to these violent acts online.

Man Charged with Injury to a Minor

The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office responded to IDEA School in Alamo on the morning of May 11 regarding a report of child abuse that occurred in the 100 block of East Minnesota Road, in a rural area of Alamo. A school counselor informed the officer that a student had reported that his brother was assaulted by their stepfather. During the investigation, it was determined that the assault took place on May 8. According to the victim, the suspect allegedly struck the minor with a horse whip on the thighs, legs, back, stomach, and arms. The injuries were documented by authorities through photographs of the visible marks. The suspect, 47-year-old Romeo Maldonado, was arrested and charged with injury to a minor, a third-degree felony. His bond was set at $250,000. The investigation is ongoing.

McAllen police search for suspects accused of armed robbery

Arrest warrant issued for man accused of assault, unlawful restraint in McAllen

An arrest warrant has been issued for 34-year-old Roberto Joshua Trevino, accused of assaulting a 31-year-old woman in McAllen. The incident occurred on May 7 in the 1300 block of East Daffodil Avenue, where Trevino allegedly handcuffed the victim and inflicted facial injuries. He is described as 5'11" tall, weighing around 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Trevino's last known address is in Donna. Authorities are asking anyone with information about his location to contact McAllen Crime Stoppers at 956-687-8477.

McAllen police search for Donna man accused of handcuffing, injuring woman

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An arrest warrant has been issued for a Donna man accused of assaulting and handcuffing a woman, according to the McAllen Police Department. Police are seeking the public's help in locating Roberto Joshua Trevino, 34, with a last known address in Donna. Trevino is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 180

McAllen police search for two men in aggravated apartment robbery investigation

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Police Department is searching for two men accused of an aggravated robbery. McAllen police identified the suspects as 27-year-old Luis Armando Jasso, of Pharr, and 30-year-old Andoni Garcia of McAllen. According to a news release, authorities received a report of an apartment robbery at the 2500 block of North McColl

Suspicious Activity Probe Ends in Alcohol-Related Citations and Arrests

On May 10, McAllen Police responded to reports of underage drinking at a residence on Scenic Way. Officers found several open containers of alcohol and detained multiple minors, aged 16 to 19. Homeowners John Michael and Tina Marie McIntyre were arrested for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, a Class “A” Misdemeanor, each with a bond set at $4,000. Additionally, 22 citations were issued to minors for alcohol possession or consumption. The minors were released to responsible parties, and the investigation continues as police seek to identify all involved. Tips can be reported anonymously to McAllen Crime Stoppers.

Mass held in recognition of National Police Week

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Local law enforcement officers joined at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in San Benito on Monday for a holy mass in recognition of National Police Week. Father Genaro Garza III led the mass to honor and bless the police officers. Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz also attended the mass.

Vaping Liquid That Left Minor Unconscious in McAllen Was Facilitated Through Instagram

Documents from the Hidalgo County Municipal Court reveal that the suspect, 18-year-old Francisco Ariel Cuevas Rivas, delivered the vaping substance to minors using the social media platform Instagram. During the investigation, it was determined that the minors purchased the liquid near their home in Mission, and after being shown a photo lineup, they identified Francisco Ariel Cuevas Rivas, also known as 'Frank,' as the person who sold them the substance containing Benzylpiperazine (BZP). The minors also stated that the deal was made on April 21 for $25, believing the cartridges contained CBD. However, the court document adds that after using the vaping device, there were serious bodily injuries, and the 12-year-old had to be revived with two doses of Narcan. Additionally, the legal document reveals that another student also required medical attention and was diagnosed with possible kidney failure, allegedly related to prolonged exposure to the substance. Later, authorities reported recovering a vaping device with a cartridge containing purple liquid. Analysis confirmed the presence of Benzylpiperazine and Benzoyl Peroxide. Furthermore, at the time of the suspect's arrest on April 29, police investigators stated they found additional evidence inside Cuevas Rivas's vehicle, including electronic devices, cash, a vaping device, and liquids that tested positive for substances like Psilocybin and O-Acetyl Psilocin, both classified under Penalty Group 2. Finally, the legal document highlights that part of the offenses occurred within a drug-free zone, specifically near a school, which aggravates the charges against the accused.

'It is alarming to us': McAllen police investigate teen drinking parties at Airbnb, home

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — McAllen police are investigating two separate underage drinking parties that happened over the weekend, including one at a short-term rental property that neighbors say disrupted their usually quiet neighborhood. Nearly 30 citations were issued in connection with the incidents, and two adults were arrested. According to the McAllen Police Department, officers

Possible Serial Killer? Suspect Arrested in Texas Murders; More Victims Believed

TEXAS – Authorities announced the arrest of 26-year-old Luis Benítez González in connection with two murders in Austin and Bastrop County, following years of coordinated work among multiple agencies. According to the Austin Police Department, the suspect is linked to the murder of Alyssa Rivera, which occurred in 2024 at an abandoned residence in the city, as well as the death of Alba Anissa Aviles Marti recorded in 2018. Officials stated that Benítez González was located and arrested on April 27 in Dallas after arrest warrants were issued for two cases of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred in Austin in November and December of 2025, during which two women were injured. Following his arrest, the suspect was interviewed by authorities and admitted to his involvement in the attacks, although he attempted to justify his actions as self-defense, a claim that does not align with the evidence collected, according to officials.

Man Identified as Suspect in Assault and Kidnapping of Woman in McAllen

Police investigators have named Roberto Joshua Treviño as the suspect in the physical assault of a 31-year-old woman, who was injured in the 1300 block of East Daffodil Avenue. A judge has issued arrest warrants against him for charges of assault, a Class A misdemeanor, and unlawful restraint, also a Class A misdemeanor. The 34-year-old suspect is described as approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing around 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The official report indicates his last known address is in Donna. In this regard, police are asking anyone with information to contact the McAllen Crime Stoppers Hotline at (956) 687-8477 or through the P3 Tips mobile app.

Authorities Seek Suspects in Armed Robbery in McAllen

The McAllen Police Department reported that the incident occurred on May 4, in the 2500 block of North McColl Road, when the victim was attempting to recover lost or stolen items and was confronted by two men, who allegedly pointed a firearm at him and took his belongings. Following the investigation, officers identified Luis Armando Jasso, described as a 27-year-old man, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 195 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, last known address in Pharr. The second suspect is identified as Andoni García, who is 30 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds, also with black hair and brown eyes, and his last known address is in McAllen. A judge determined there was probable cause to issue arrest warrants for both individuals on charges of aggravated robbery. Authorities are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of these individuals to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (956) 687-8477.

Authorities Reveal Details After Fatal Accident on Denver Airport Runway

Authorities confirmed on Monday that the man involved in the fatal accident involving a Frontier Airlines plane at Denver International Airport was identified as 41-year-old Michael Mott, who died by suicide. The incident occurred on the night of Friday, May 8, when Frontier Airlines flight 4345 was preparing for takeoff to Los Angeles. According to officials, Mott jumped a perimeter fence and crossed the runway moments before being struck by the aircraft. Dr. Sterling McLaren from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment's forensic office reported that the man died from multiple blunt force injuries. The cause of death was classified as suicide. Airport CEO Phil Washington explained that the ground detection system triggered an alarm around 11:10 p.m. Initially, operators observed a group of deer near the perimeter and did not immediately detect the man.

27 Cruise Workers, Including Disney Employees, Deported After Child Pornography Investigation

Twenty-seven cruise workers, including some from Disney Cruise Line, were deported after being linked to child pornography, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The investigation took place from April 23 to 27, when CBP agents boarded eight cruise ships. Of the 28 crew members interviewed, 27 were involved in the receipt, possession, transportation, distribution, or viewing of child sexual exploitation material. Most of those deported are from the Philippines, with one from Portugal and another from Indonesia. Disney and Holland America confirmed they are cooperating with authorities and have terminated the implicated employees.

McAllen driver killed after car goes airborne in single-vehicle crash

A 24-year-old man from McAllen, Robert Butkiewicz, was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Monday in Linn, as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on US 281, north of FM 1017, when Butkiewicz's vehicle veered off the road near an overpass for reasons that remain unclear. After overcorrecting, the car hit a concrete barrier, went airborne, and landed in a grassy area on the southbound side of US Frontage 281. The Texas DPS is currently investigating the circumstances of the crash.

McAllen man dies in airborne crash on US 281: DPS

LINN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen man died in a single-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon after striking a concrete barrier and going airborne on US 281, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The crash happened at approximately 1 p.m. on US 281 north of FM 1017 in Linn. Robert Butkiewicz, 24, was pronounced dead

Cameron County receives $1.2M grant for flood preparedness

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A $1.2 million grant from the Texas Water Development Board will be allocated to help communities in Cameron County better prepare for floods and improve public safety. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino announced on Monday that the Texas Water Development Board approved the $1.2 million grant through the Flood Infrastructure Fund to

US Files Criminal Charges Against More Than 25 People Linked to Tren de Aragua

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against over 25 individuals linked to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TdA) following a major operation across five states. Many of those charged are undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, Colombia, and Honduras. Authorities seized more than 80 firearms, approximately 18 kilograms of drugs, and over $100,000 during the operation. The FBI described this as a significant effort to dismantle a group responsible for chaos in U.S. streets. Charges include firearm trafficking, drug trafficking, and possession of firearms to facilitate drug crimes, among others.