LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - There is new information on a fire that broke out at a home in Central Laredo.

Fire crews were called to the 2700 block of East Musser on Friday, November 8, at around 5 a.m.

It’s believed the fire started in the front of the house, spreading quickly into the attic and across the living room.

Fortunately, nobody was inside the home at the time; however, the current homeowner, David Lira, said the previous tenants were moving out.

Lira noted, “She asked for seven additional days, the seventh day would be Thursday. He didn’t get the chance to clear the home. Today, the house should’ve been cleared and obviously, that didn’t happen.”

The Laredo Fire Department says the utilities and water were shut off at the home, so it’s unclear how the fire started but the case remains under investigation.

WEBB COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - A search by Webb County’s Cyber Crime Unit led to the arrest of a Laredo man on child porn charges Thursday.

The Webb County Sheriff’s Cyber Crime Unit searched a home on E. Eistetter Street in Laredo on November 7, 2024. This led to the arrest of 53-year-old Jesus Abad Johnson on a charge of child porn possession, a third-degree felony.

The investigation, which included follow-up interviews, led to Johnson’s arrest. He is being held at the Webb County Jail without bond and is waiting for his first court appearance.

Officials have not shared more information, as the investigation is still ongoing.

WEBB COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - A search by Webb County’s Cyber Crime Unit led to the arrest of a Laredo man on child porn charges Thursday.

The Webb County Sheriff’s Cyber Crime Unit searched a home on E. Eistetter Street in Laredo on November 7, 2024. This led to the arrest of 53-year-old Jesus Abad Johnson on a charge of child porn possession, a third-degree felony.

The investigation, which included follow-up interviews, led to Johnson’s arrest. He is being held at the Webb County Jail without bond and is waiting for his first court appearance.

Officials have not shared more information, as the investigation is still ongoing.

COTULLA, Tex. (KGNS) - Border Patrol agents from the Cotulla station stopped a suspected human smuggling attempt on Monday, November 4, finding nearly two dozen people hidden inside a secret compartment of a trailer.

The operation was carried out with help from the Frio County Sheriff’s Office. All of the people inside the trailer were taken into custody.

Photos from the scene show the individuals packed into the hidden compartment, which was meant to avoid detection.

Authorities are still investigating the case. The people found in the trailer are being processed according to immigration laws.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man has been indicted for allegedly impersonating a U.S. Border Patrol agent at a Laredo office building.

Rudy Mora is facing charges after he entered the Shiloh Tower building on October 29, dressed in clothing resembling that of a U.S. Border Patrol Intelligence Agent. According to court documents, Mora was wearing a yellow badge resembling a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Agent’s badge and had a handgun and spare magazine displayed in a holster on his belt.

Security guards at the building’s pedestrian lobby entrance asked Mora to sign in, which he did, noting “DHS” under the agency section of the log. The guards described Mora as appearing disheveled, prompting them to request law enforcement credentials. Mora allegedly claimed he did not have them and presented a card resembling a government ID before leaving the building.

Following the incident, the FBI launched an investigation and confirmed that Mora was not employed as a U.S. Border Patrol agent or any other law enforcement officer with the agency.

Mora has been charged with possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, as well as false impersonation of a federal officer. He faces potential legal action pending further court proceedings.

ZAPATA, Tex. (KGNS) - Starting next year, a new sheriff in Zapata will make his debut.

The race for Zapata County Sheriff was the most highly anticipated in the Zapata community.

Over 3,000 votes were cast for Ramon Montes while Wanda Cuellar-Garcia received a bit over 1,100 votes.

Montes has previously worked at the county’s jail and currently is the Zapata Airport Director.

During a celebration for Montes, KGNS was able to speak to him about his plans to come into office.

Montes noted, “First and foremost, as I have always said, be visible. We need more visibility around the neighborhoods to tackle crime, traffic and drugs. That’s what everyone wants, and that’s what I’m going to do.“

Bontes beat incumbent, Raymundo Del Bosque, by a margin of 186 votes in March.

Del Bosque claimed voter fraud and filed an election contest, but it was ultimately determined that Montes did win.

For this general election, Montes got 76.98% of the votes

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Many residents of Laredo gathered in the Mall Del Norte parking lot for a celebration parade honoring Donald Trump’s recent presidential victory.

The event had people of all ages come together with flags, caps and all sorts of Trump memorabilia.

Once everyone had gathered, they paraded their vehicles around the streets of Laredo honking their horns and playing music as they celebrated.

The event took place on Wednesday, November 6, right after Election Day, November 5, in which Trump beat out Kamala Harris by acquiring 50.9% of the vote.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man was arrested after a vehicle rollover near City Hall Monday night, November 4, the Laredo Police Department reported.

The driver, identified as 21-year-old Juan Alejandro Serna, was allegedly driving a grey Chrysler 300 in the wrong direction when he hit another vehicle.

After the crash, Serna reportedly tried to flee but was caught by officers soon after. He was charged with Accident Involving Injury, a state jail felony.

Police have not yet shared more details on any injuries. The investigation is still underway as officers work to gather more information.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - It’s Election Day, and candidates and their supporters are making a final push to get out the vote.

Supporters lined sidewalks and intersections early Tuesday morning, waving signs and cheering on passing cars in a last-minute effort to sway undecided voters.

By mid-morning, cars had already begun lining up at several polling stations across the county as people showed up to participate. Many voters were seen getting out to vote with friends and family.

Today is the last opportunity for eligible residents to cast their ballots. Polls will remain open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., giving voters a 12-hour window to make their voices heard in races across the county.

Local election officials remind voters to double-check their polling location, as sites may differ from early voting stations.

If you haven’t voted yet, here’s a list of polling sites open today.