LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A 35-year-old Laredo woman, Nora Nely Avila, has confessed to pretending to be a licensed nurse, landing her in legal trouble. Avila admitted to faking her credentials and performing nursing duties she wasn’t qualified for at local hospitals and home health companies in Laredo between 2017 and 2019.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, Avila managed to secure these roles by presenting a fake nursing license belonging to someone else. The release further states that her actions impacted patients and healthcare providers involved in federally funded Medicaid and Medicare programs. Avila also worked as a nurse trainer in a federally funded Job Corps program.

Avila received over $52,000 in compensation for playing the role of a licensed nurse when, in reality, she wasn’t authorized to do so. Avila faces a potential prison term of up to five years and a fine of $250,000 at her sentencing on April 9, 2024.

Avila is currently out on bond until the sentencing hearing.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - President Biden closed out the year by signing a historic $886 billion defense bill, encompassing various programs to aid Ukraine and providing pay raises for troops. However, the ripple effect of this legislation will impact federal agents on home turf.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 3, Congressman Henry Cuellar is set to unveil increases in overtime pay for Border Patrol agents, a significant development arising from the Defense Act. The announcement, scheduled for 9 a.m. at Tres Laredos Park, will feature the Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council.

This move comes on the heels of weeks of reports from agents grappling with the escalating numbers of migrants entering the United States illegally at the southern border.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, who previously served at a Laredo port of entry, is facing charges of smuggling migrants, as announced by a U.S. Attorney.

Emanuel Celedon, 36 years old, was indicted and scheduled to make his initial court appearance in Laredo on Friday, December 29. The charges stem from allegations of illegally smuggling four undocumented migrants from Mexico into the United States.

This is not Celedon’s first encounter with the law, as he had previously faced charges related to bribery and drug trafficking.

According to the indictment filed on Wednesday, December 27, Celedon is accused of four counts of bringing undocumented migrants into the United States on two separate occasions in September and November 2023.

If convicted on the new human smuggling charges, Celedon could face up to 40 years in federal prison.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - One lucky person is starting the year with some extra money to burn after winning Monday night’s Powerball drawing.

The Texas Lottery made the announcement on their Facebook page saying a $2 million dollar winning ticket was sold in Laredo.

According to the Texas Lottery website, the ticket was sold at the Murphy Express store located on 10714 International Blvd.

Congratulations to the lucky winner!

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A man is facing charges following a shots fired call that was reported in the Mines Road area.

Laredo Police received a shots fired call on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at around 8 p.m. near a warehouse located at the 300 block of Nafta.

Authorities were able to recover a recording that showed a vehicle, the license plate and a person of interest picking up several casings.

Using the license plates, officers were able to locate the White Chevy Malibu at the 400 block of Hidalgo Street.

Laredo Police identified Rolando Alejandro Bermudez, age 23, as the owner of the vehicle who was also found in possession of marijuana at the time.

A 9mm Kimber semiautomatic handgun was also recovered along with spent casings.

Bermudez was charged with discharge of a firearm.

Tampering with evidence and possession of Marijuana and taken to jail.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - In response to reports of gunfire on New Year’s Eve, Laredo police have detained three people, while two are currently facing charges.

According to the Laredo Police Department, around 10 p.m. on December 31, 2023, police received a call about shots fired near the 2600 block of Bismark Street. An officer on the way to the scene heard gunfire at the 1400 block of South Louisiana Avenue.

When the officer got to the scene, he saw two men and a woman outside a residence on South Louisiana Avenue. The officer detained them and spotted numerous casings in the driveway. A total of 42 casings, a 9mm gun magazine, and a Glock 9mm handgun were found, according to police.

18-year-old Antonio Benavides Jr., and 17-year-old Alisha Nicole Lozano, face charges, while a third person is pending possible charges pending gunshot residue test results. Police say the suspects admitted to firing the gun.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - A Laredo couple welcomed a new baby girl at Doctors Hospital on New Year’s Day.

Little Olivia Aubrey was welcomed by her parents Emily Rose and Armando Morales, Jr.

She was born at 11:14 a.m. and weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces.

The Morales’ were also gifted essentials for the baby courtesy of the hospital’s auxiliary volunteers which included a baby stroller and clothing.

Baby Olivia’s parents thanked the staff saying the birth of their daughter on new year’s was a huge surprise as she was due to give birth days before.