LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Laredo music teacher charged with crimes against children had his initial case dismissed in Texas and reopened in another state a day later.

The criminal complaint from the district court detailed two separate counts of production of child pornography.

It’s now two states that are looking into the crimes against children, allegedly committed by Carlos Jobany Castenada Lechuga.

On December 10, KGNS first reported Lechuga was arrested in Laredo for the distribution of child pornography.

The FBI linked Lechuga to child abuse videos circulating in a dark web site known as “The Exchange” through facial recognition.

KGNS has since learned that the District Court of Arizona filed its own case against Lechuga, accusing him of two counts of production of child pornography based on five separate videos involving two minors.

The case states the videos were allegedly produced between 2013 and 2019 when Lechuga lived in Arizona.

The documents state that the FBI requested an agent to search for the identity of the girls in the videos.

A search on the Phoenix Police Department database showed that Lechuga had three separate reports of molestation accusations with five separate minor victims.

The FBI was able to identify two of the victims as the girls presented in the videos that had been obtained.

Unlike the Texas federal documents, the Arizona complaint identified Lechuga as being an instructor for “multiple music courses” at Texas A&M International University.

In total, Lechuga has been accused of crimes related to children in California, Texas and Arizona.

If convicted, Lechuga can serve 15-30 years in prison.

KGNS reached out to the university and they weren’t readily available to comment.

Lechuga is set to appear for a preliminary exam hearing before the Southern Texas District Court tomorrow morning, December 27.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - An arrest was made in connection to a fatal crash on U.S. Hwy 83 last Wednesday, December 18.

According to the Department of Public Safety, that’s when a man died after crashing into a cement barrier near the overpass on Guatemozin St.

DPS says the victim, identified as Ernesto Javier Martinez, was allegedly speeding down State Hwy 359 and onto the exit ramp of U.S. Hwy 83 while trying to get away from a trooper.

Today, December 26, the agency reported they executed a search warrant over the weekend for the individual accused of racing the Camaro involved in the crash.

Christopher Arnulfo Rene Rodriguez was charged with racing on a highway, deadly conduct and evading arrest with a vehicle.

Rodriguez was booked at the Webb County Jail on a $35,000 bond.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Laredoan is facing charges for allegedly smuggling over 100 people in a locked tractor-trailer.

49-year-old Juan Manuel Aguirre is being charged in a three-count indictment for attempts to smuggle undocumented immigrants for financial gain.

The case dates back to December 2, when law enforcement saw people loaded into a white trailer at a warehouse parking lot.

Once the trailer left the location, authorities conducted a traffic stop and searched the vehicle, discovering 101 non-U.S. citizens, including 12 unaccompanied children.

The charges state two of the children were struggling to breathe and feared for their lives.

If convicted, Aguirre could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the three counts and fines of up to $250,000.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Food insecurity has increased across America, especially during the holidays, with more people needing help post-pandemic, according to Feed the Children Organization.

One healthcare worker, Stefannie Bell, spends some of her free time helping differently. Packing rice, beans and cans is where you can find her if she isn’t at her regular job.

She has been at the South Texas Food Bank for close to two months now filling bags for senior citizens.

“This is a giving time of year. This is the Christmas season, where people like to give, and I think one of the biggest gifts we can give is food,” Bell said.

Bell says her interest in volunteering started with a friend going to volunteer.

Mentioning, “Originally where I’m from in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of my mentors is really into feeding the community and that’s how I got started.”

That love for helping feed a community made its way to Laredo, as Bell added, “I think that during the holidays, people find themselves with more time off, the kids are out of school, people have time off from work. It’s naturally kinda centered around helping out and giving back during the holidays.”

With many hands on deck for a few hours weekly, over 520 sacks of food made daily will go to people in counties from Val Verde to Webb, and even down to Starr County.

According to Feeding America’s Website, over 85k people have food insecurity and attend the South Texas Food Bank for help.

They offer five different programs where people can help families, people living in rural communities and senior citizens.

The food bank is estimated to help over 220k people through the eight counties that they serve during November and December.

Bell and the volunteers continue working hard to bring food to the table this holiday season, sharing the true meaning of the holidays, giving back, and spreading cheer to those in need.

For food assistance, individuals can call (956) 726-3120 or visit their website here.

They will guide you to see which program fits your needs.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A traffic stop early this morning led to the discovery of several guns and the arrest of a 17-year-old driver.

On Monday, December 23, Laredo Police stopped a car around 2 a.m. on E. Plum St.

During the stop, officers said they found a handgun under the seat.

Police say a K-9 unit found more weapons in the car, including three semi-automatic handguns and extended magazines.

The driver, Yurem Gibran Zuniga, is currently facing charges for carrying illegal guns.

Some of the passengers in the vehicle were minors and their parents were contacted.

This is still part of an ongoing investigation.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - In under a month, President-elect Trump will take office, and upcoming speeches and interviews have raised many questions.

Trump has outlined his plans for mass deportation and even ending birth-right citizenship, but how are those promises being received by those most affected?

KGNS spoke to a grass-root organizer on what she’s noticed since Trump’s win, and what she recommends people with uncertain immigration status do.

According to Laredo Immigrant Alliance Board Director, Maria Elena Perez, “It’s going to break the social fabric of our community because we have a lot of immigrants.”

Perez says she noticed many Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are fearful their protected status will be in jeopardy once President-elect Trump takes office.

“Nothing has been fixed legally, like the DACA program, which is in limbo at the Supreme Court. It hasn’t been decided that it’s a legal program, and they haven’t done anything to protect them.”

Most DACA recipients have been in the country for over a decade, many having built careers and families, and according to Perez, are fearful it could be lost.

She [Perez] now recommends those with uncertain immigration status begin creating plans for what would be done in the case of deportation.

In the meantime, little has been said about the status and future of Dreamers by White House officials, and future Trump appointees.

Tom Homan, Trump’s pick as “Border Czar,” in an interview with CNN outlined the future administration objectives.

Homan mentioned, “We got over 700k illegal aliens in the country with a criminal conviction, they’re priority one. These criminal gangs, the Tren de Aragua, MS 13, are a priority. National security threats are a priority. The goal is for ICE officers and other agencies to arrest as many targeted aliens as possible.”

Trump, in an interview with NBC, discussed part of his immigration plans which included repealing birthright citizenship, which is currently protected by the 14th Amendment.

Perez states that this plan has created more tension among immigrants, as it would be an unprecedented change in immigration policy, one that could signal more things to come.

The Laredo Immigrant Alliance says they, along with many other non-profits, are dedicated to serving undocumented immigrants and are prepared to take a stand if needed.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A high-speed chase into La Salle County ended with a man behind bars and 14 undocumented immigrants found inside his vehicle.

New video released by the Texas Department of Public Safety shows a Ford F-350 being stopped by a trooper before the driver quickly took off, leading authorities on a pursuit into La Salle County near Cotulla. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Alberto Hernandez of San Antonio, tried to flee on foot after crashing the vehicle into the center median.

With the assistance of U.S. Border Patrol, Hernandez was apprehended, and 14 undocumented immigrants were found concealed inside the vehicle. Hernandez faces charges of smuggling persons and evading arrest, while the migrants were taken in for processing.