State Trooper Patrols Increased Around Del Rio

State Trooper Patrols Increased Around Del Rio
June 12, 2008
By Chuck Dent
Special to LIVE!


A Texas Department of Public Safety squad car on patrol (contributed photo) (click image to enlarge) If you think you have been seeing an increased number of black and white highway patrol cruisers along U.S. Highway 277 and U.S. Highway 90 over the past several months, your eyes are not deceiving you. According to Major John Madden of the Texas Department of Public Safety, they have been assigned to Operation Border Star to assist local law enforcement agencies.

Operation Border Star is described by Governor Rick Perry’s Press Office as a “unified high intensity, multi-agency effort focused on reducing crime in targeted areas along the Texas-Mexico border.” It includes numerous state agencies such as the Texas Rangers, Texas Parks and Wildlife and others. It began in September 2007 following on the heels of two other special operations dating back to 2005 and 2006.

Madden said recently Border Star extends along the border in 42 counties from El Paso to McAllen and up the Coastal Bend. He declined to say how many units are working in the Del Rio area. Their numbers fluctuate depending on where intelligence reports indicate they are needed. He said they assist not only the sheriffs departments and local police departments, but state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol.

The DPS officers are limited in the scope of their activities. “The Texas Highway Patrol is limited to enforcing state law. We can not enforce immigration law so we are not involved in that. The intent of the operation is to insure the quality of life in the border area,” he said.

While the operation is in progress, DPS patrols are heavily enforcing U.S. Highway 277 North of Del Rio, towards Sonora. What used to be a barren drive between the border patrol checkpoint just south of the U.S. Highway 277/377 crossroads to Texas Highway 55 22 miles south of Sonora, is more frequented by patrols. U.S. Highway 90 East, towards San Antonio also has patrol efforts stepped up.

One rumor that has been floating around town has them tied to anti-terrorism operations. When asked if that is the case, he said they are just pursuing their normal activity such as stolen vehicles and narcotic traffickers, but if they came across individuals who are involved in criminal activity or terrorism they would identify them and turn the information over to the appropriate agency. He said the DPS has not come across any terrorists.

As yet none of the people arrested by the various agencies involved in Border Star are involved in terrorism according to Allison Castle of the Governors Press Office. She said 500 illegal aliens from terrorist-related countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Jordan have been arrested since Border Star and its predecessors began in 2005.

“We have seen extraordinary results – upwards of 65% reduction in all crime and a 45% reduction in illegal alien apprehension since 2005. She added, “Enforcing the international border is clearly a federal responsibility, but border states and communities suffer the consequences of a weak security. Therefore, Texas has taken decisive action to protect the border and the American homeland.”

She added Border Star began in high-threat areas and it will be expanded to continuous high-intensity surge operations along the entire Texas/Mexico border. Texas, she said, is disrupting smuggling operations, putting the cartels on notice and securing the border.

http://www.swtexaslive.com/node/7008

Immigrant arraigned for attacks

April 30, 2008
Immigrant arraigned for attacks
By Dan Packard
dan.packard@amarillo.com
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An illegal immigrant accused of burglary and sexual assault in Wellington was arraigned Tuesday and remained in the Collingsworth County Jail on $550,000 bond.

"The people can rest a little better, be more at ease."
Joe Stewart, Collingsworth County Sheriff

Department of Public Safety Trooper Daniel Hawthorne said Collingsworth County Justice of the Peace JoRita Henard arraigned Jose Ayala Nunez, 42, of Honduras on two first-degree felony counts of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony, one first-degree felony count of aggravated sexual assault and three state jail charges of possession of fraudulent government documents.
Collingsworth County Sheriff Joe Stewart said Nunez is an illegal immigrant from Honduras who had two fraudulent Social Security cards and a fraudulent green card in his possession.

"The green card is a card that lets him stay in the United States," Stewart said. "The Social Security numbers belong to other people. It's an identity-theft type thing."

Stewart said he didn't know where Nunez resided before he showed up in Wellington.

Lawmen from the sheriff's office, the Texas Rangers and other agencies arrested Nunez on Sunday at a residence in Wellington.

On March 17, the sheriff's office received a report on a sexual assault and received a second report April 10.

After a third report April 25, the sheriff's office involved the Texas Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies.

On Sunday evening, investigators followed leads that led to the arrest of Nunez.

Stewart said the arrest came quickly once investigators obtained certain information.

"The people can rest a little better, be more at ease," Stewart said.

As for the sheriff, "I'm tired," he said.

Hawthorne said investigators continue to build their case and continue to process evidence.

A first-degree felony carries a maximum sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison per offense and a fine not to exceed $10,000, according to the Texas Penal Code.

A state jail felony carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/043008/new_10219876.shtml