Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyTony Romo arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated
Former Dallas Cowboys star Tony Romo was arrested Thursday night in Milwaukee for allegedly driving while intoxicated.
Public SafetyMexican National Living in Donna Sentenced to Federal Prison on Drug Charges
Hector Rodriguez-Ramos, a 48-year-old Mexican national residing in Donna, has been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for drug trafficking conspiracy. He pleaded guilty to distributing over five kilograms of cocaine. In 2024, Rodriguez-Ramos recruited a courier and facilitated the installation of a hidden compartment in a vehicle for drug transport. Authorities discovered 14 kilograms of cocaine in this compartment during the investigation. Following his prison term, he is expected to face deportation proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Foster and Yasmine Tucker.
Public SafetyEdinburg PD Needs Public’s Help Identifying Vehicle in Hit-and-Run Property-Damage Case
The Edinburg Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to identify a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident that occurred on July 23 in the 3700 block of Lori Morgan Drive. The driver damaged a wooden fence between two properties and fled the scene without leaving contact information. Surveillance footage indicates the vehicle is a white, four-door car, possibly with front-right-side damage. Authorities recovered part of the front-right fender and a tire cover from the site. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Edinburg Police at 956-289-7700 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 956-383-TIPS.
Public SafetyIf you own a Ford Bronco, check if your vehicle is part of this recall
Ford Motor Co. has recalled over half a million Bronco SUVs due to a wiring harness in the engine compartment that may cause a short circuit and increase the risk of fire. The company announced that the recall affects 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles from the 2021-2026 models. The automaker estimates that about 1% of those vehicles have the defect in the wiring harness, although it clarified that it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue. The problem is due to inadequate protection of the harness, which can lead to exposed wires and short circuits. In the event of a short circuit, drivers may notice smoke in the air vents or a warning message on the dashboard, followed by flames coming from the engine compartment on the passenger side. To address the issue, dealers will install new covers over the wiring at no cost. The vehicle identification numbers included in the recall are now available for search at NHTSA.gov. Owners can contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171). This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. A Telemundo Digital editor reviewed the translation.
Public Safety11 charged in Texas rail container deaths
Federal prosecutors have charged 11 people in connection with a human smuggling operation that left seven migrants, including a minor, dead inside a sealed shipping container aboard a freight train in Laredo, Texas.
11 indicted in smuggling deaths of 6 migrants in rail cargo container in Texas
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A U.S. attorney announced a federal indictment on Friday against 11 people in the smuggling deaths of six migrants found in a rail cargo container in Texas in May. The six people were found dead in a rail yard shipping container in Laredo, Texas in May. They were from Honduras and
Public SafetyPolice seek to identify suspect vehicle involved in Edinburg hit-and-run
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Police Department is working to identify a suspect vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that caused property damage on Thursday. Police described the suspect vehicle as a white four-door passenger car, which may have noticeable front-right-side damage. According to police, the car struck and destroyed a wooden fence that covered
Public SafetyThird Person Arrested for Homicide in San Juan Parking Lot
San Juan police reported the arrest of a third person allegedly connected to the homicide that occurred in a supermarket parking lot in San Juan. The suspect is a 24-year-old woman identified as Ivory Ruiz. Ruiz faces the following charges: obstruction of arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, with a bond set at $20,000; three counts of assault against a peace officer, second-degree felonies, with a bond of $30,000 for each charge; and resisting arrest or transport, a Class A misdemeanor, with a bond of $20,000. Police noted that two individuals had already been arrested in connection with this case and stated that the investigation remains active. They also indicated that no further information will be released at this time as the case is still under investigation.
Public SafetyBody of Missing Man Found in Combes
The Combes Police Department announced that the search for 74-year-old José Jesús Lara has been concluded. During the investigation, officers received additional information that led them to conduct a new inspection at Lara's residence. With the assistance of local police from Precinct 5 of Cameron County, Eddie Solís, the agents located José Jesús Lara in a concealed area of the home that had not been discovered during the initial search. The police did not disclose the cause of death or whether there is any criminal investigation related to the case.
Public SafetyBuilding linked to the Gulf Cartel scheduled for auction in September
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A building linked to the Gulf Cartel may be sold to the highest bidder in September. The building, which is located on Military Highway in San Benito, belonged to Carlos Favian Martinez, the son-in-law of Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas Guillen. Martinez pleaded guilty to extorting people who crossed the Free
Public SafetyRepeat Offender Receives 84 Month Prison Sentence for Federal Firearms Violations
Raymond Gutierrez, a 55-year-old man from Laredo, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms. He pleaded guilty on July 29, 2025. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos emphasized the seriousness of Gutierrez's actions, which included holding two individuals at gunpoint and threatening them during a domestic disturbance at his ranch. Law enforcement had previously responded to multiple incidents involving Gutierrez's violent behavior and illegal firearms possession. Following a search warrant executed on February 21, 2025, authorities seized six firearms from his property. Gutierrez, a convicted felon, is prohibited from owning guns.
Public SafetyFederal Jury Convicts Mission Resident in Multi-Count Corruption Trial
A 50-year-old resident of Mission, Veronica Inez O’Cana, has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating the Travel Act, and witness tampering. After a three-day trial and three hours of jury deliberation, O’Cana was convicted for her role in laundering approximately $30,000 intended to benefit a member of the Mission Consolidated Independent School District Board. The scheme aimed to influence the awarding of a $20-25 million energy savings contract. O’Cana faces up to 20 years in prison for the money laundering and witness tampering charges, with sentencing set for October 7. She remains on bond pending the hearing.
Public SafetyMan Arrested in McAllen for Evading Arrest During Traffic Stop
The report was made on Thursday, July 23, around 6 p.m., in the 1000 block of Austin Avenue in McAllen. According to police, when they attempted to pull him over, 34-year-old Alan Michelle Álvarez allegedly fled the scene after an officer initiated the traffic stop. Álvarez now faces a charge of evading arrest, a third-degree felony, and has been set bail at $5,000. The driver was taken into custody without incident and later transported to the Hidalgo County Jail.
Public SafetyWho is Elvia Cabrera and what is happening now in the case of the murder of Gabriela Nicole Pratts?
Elvia Cabrera Rivera was found guilty on Thursday of the first-degree murder of 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts, a case that has garnered significant public attention both in Puerto Rico and in other parts of the United States. According to the evidence and testimonies presented during the trial, Cabrera allegedly handed the murder weapon to her daughter, Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, who reportedly stabbed Gabriela Nicole Pratts 11 times. Following the verdict, both the defense and Cabrera's family insisted on her innocence. Meanwhile, prosecutors emphasized that the evidence presented in court was sufficient to prove her guilt of first-degree murder. However, the judicial process is not yet over. Attention now turns to the case of Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, who is now 18 years old and also faces first-degree murder charges for the teenager's death. Jury selection for her trial began on June 30, although experts anticipate that the process could extend over several weeks due to the notoriety of the case and the challenge of finding an impartial jury. Telemundo PR journalist Walter Soto León, who has closely followed the judicial proceedings, explained that during Elvia Cabrera's trial, jury members were sequestered for several days in a hotel, without access to television, radio, or cell phones, a measure implemented to avoid external influences. Soto León also indicated that one aspect that continues to raise questions is the origin of the conflict that led to the crime. He stated that there was a relationship that was apparently not approved by the family, which caused tensions and multiple confrontations. According to his analysis, Gabriela Nicole Pratts had no direct connection to that initial conflict but ended up being the fatal victim of a series of confrontations that occurred simultaneously. Although the murder weapon has not been recovered, key testimonies presented during the judicial process indicated that Elvia Cabrera had handed a sharp object to her daughter and later stored it in her purse before leaving the scene. Elvia Cabrera's sentencing is scheduled for September 20. If convicted according to the jury's verdict, she could face up to 99 years in prison for first-degree murder.
Public SafetyFederal Agency Operation Reported at San Juan Property
A significant mobilization of federal and state agencies took place on Friday morning at a property located at the intersection of San Antonio and Noble Drive in San Juan. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were seen entering the property to carry out operations. During the operation, HSI agents were observed taking photographs inside and around the building, while Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel secured the perimeter. So far, federal authorities have not disclosed the reason for the operation or whether any arrests or seizures were made.
Public SafetyAuthorities in Edinburg Seek to Identify Vehicle Involved in Hit-and-Run
The property damage and hit-and-run incident, according to police, occurred on Thursday, July 23, in the 3700 block of Lori Morgan Drive. Surveillance footage shows that the suspect vehicle is a white four-door car, which, after the impact, destroyed a wooden fence dividing two neighboring properties and subsequently left the scene without providing contact information. Police reported that the vehicle likely has visible damage on the front right side, as parts of the vehicle and a tire cover were recovered from the scene. Anyone with information about this case can contact the Edinburg Police Department at (956) 289-7700 or Edinburg Crime Stoppers at (956) 383-TIPS (8477).
Public Safety11 People Charged with Smuggling Following Discovery of Dead Migrants in Texas
Federal authorities have charged 11 individuals following the discovery of seven deceased migrants, including a 14-year-old boy, in Texas in May 2026. The accused are linked to an organization involved in human smuggling that used Union Pacific freight containers to transport migrants from Del Río to San Antonio. According to the indictment, from at least April 2023 until May 12, 2026, the defendants and others operated a human trafficking organization that illegally used freight trains to move undocumented immigrants deeper into the United States after having crossed them illegally from Mexico. Each immigrant transported, or their relatives and friends, paid smugglers between $1,500 and $10,000 in Honduras, Mexico, the United States, and other locations. The indictment claims that by late April 2026, the organization began facilitating the illegal transport of at least seven immigrants from Acuña (Mexico) to Del Río (Texas). On May 9, approximately after the smugglers illegally crossed the seven migrants from Mexico into the Del Río area, the organization moved them to a location near the Union Pacific train tracks in that locality. Between 1:18 p.m. and 1:25 p.m., while a Union Pacific train was stopped, the suspects allegedly used red bolt cutters to cut the lock on the door of a Conex-type shipping container, placed the migrants inside, and closed the door. The container was stacked on another and lacked ventilation or refrigeration systems.
Public SafetyHe Strangled Her with the Rice Cooker Cord: This is the Sentence He Received
A maintenance worker from Miami was sentenced to death on Friday for the 2005 murder of a waitress at the Cuban restaurant La Carreta using the cord from a rice cooker. Rafael Andrés, 61, was found guilty in 2014 and subsequently sentenced to death—before being granted a new sentencing trial—for the murder of Ivette Fariñas. At that time, prosecutors stated that Andrés stabbed Fariñas, 31, multiple times in the chest, struck her in the face and head, and strangled her with the power cord of a rice cooker before leaving her apartment engulfed in flames.
Public SafetyJudge allows Weslaco cheerleader wrongful death lawsuit to move forward
A Hidalgo County judge has permitted the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a Weslaco cheerleader against an energy drink distributor to proceed. The distributor sought to pause the lawsuit while appealing a previous ruling that denied its request for dismissal. Larissa Rodriguez passed away in October 2025 due to an enlarged heart, linked to stress and high caffeine intake from Alani energy drinks. Her family is suing Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, LLC, which claims it only distributed the drinks. The judge confirmed that the lawsuit will continue, allowing both parties to exchange evidence as the appeals process unfolds, which may take 60 to 90 days.