LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - It’s been three months since Claudio Treviño announced his retirement as the chief of police for Laredo.

On Friday, the City of Laredo announced five potential candidates who will fill the position.

Andy Harvey, Manuel Maciel, Miguel Rodriguez, Ricardo Gonzalez and Tom Whitten are the top five candidates for Laredo Police Chief.

If those names ring a bell, that’s because they are from the Gateway City but others are from out of town.

Officers Maciel, Rodriguez and Gonzalez have more than 20 years with Laredo Police Department.

Some were patrol officers, investigators and deputy chiefs.

Candidate Andy Harvey has led several police departments across the state.

Tom Whitten has served as chief deputy for the city of El Paso’s Sheriff’s Office since 2013.

Interim Laredo Police chief Steve Landin said each candidate has their own personality and traits.

“They have to prove themselves to the interview committees on this is who they are, this is what they bring to the table. I just think that we are all different, we all have different personalities, we all have different qualities and they have their own different personalities and that is what it makes them different, different people,” said Landin.

The police chief search committee, led by Laredo City Manager Joe Neeb, reviewed the applicants and ultimately selected these five finalists.

The upcoming on-site interview process will take place next week on August 30 and 31.

The City of Laredo will hold a meet & greet with the finalists.

The event will take place on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Haynes Recreation Center, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

EDINBURG, Texas (Border Report) — The State of Texas has approved $237 million for a new International Bridge Trade Corridor highway that will connect several South Texas ports of entry to better foster trade with Mexico.

It also will improve border security in the region, said Texas state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, who is chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

It is part of a record $142 billion total investment in state transportation infrastructure projects that have been approved for the next decade as part of the 2024 Unified Transportation Program, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday during a stop in Edinburg.

The International Bridge Trade Corridor is a 13-mile, four-lane divided non-toll highway that Canales says will be built in Hidalgo County to better connect the international bridges that are located between the towns of Pharr to Donna.

The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is the No. 1 port for the transportation of fruits and vegetables from Mexico.

Canales says it also is the No. 1 land port in the United States for the export of oil and gas on land to Mexico.

“Getting those trucks out of our neighborhoods that are full of oil and gas going south and even the ones that are full of innocuous fruits and vegetables, they’re still huge commercial traffic machines that are not safe to be on our city streets. And so the goal is to alleviate the congestion within these communities, move the commercial traffic out for safety but it’s also a win-win, you get to move it faster, which is a bigger boost to the economy,” Canales told Border Report on Thursday from his offices in Edinburg.

Canales says eventually the International Bridge Trade Corridor will connect to State Highway 68, which is a north-to-south road that has not been built yet in Hidalgo County but is planned to loop trucks away from populated highways and subdivisions.

“Imagine kind of like a cattle chute that runs along this side of the Texas-Mexico border where our commercial traffic goes, well, that corridor (will) connect to Highway 68 and 68 would be driving the traffic ultimately,” Canales said.

If Highway 68 is funded and built as he expects, then it would end near the South Texas International Airport in Edinburg, where he said truckers could unload produce and other products could be flown to other cities and towns in the United States.

“That’s the bigger picture is not only do we get the commercial traffic moving quicker, we’re also going to have the capacity to add an airport component. That’s a $50 million expansion of that airport which we will be fighting for next session,” he said.

For now, he said the International Bridge Trade Corridor has the money and green light to begin construction. Several right-of-way land parcels already have been appropriated and he said he expects construction to begin within a year.

Aside from being a quick trade route for trucks, he says the new Corridor also will provide additional border security because cameras and other equipment will be installed in the new roadway to better track Mexican truckers.

Migrant detentions highest since 2020

“Imagine a fully loaded 18-wheeler crossing the bridge right now. When it crosses the bridge, we don’t know where it goes. It’s spiders off and there’s no way to monitor it. Here, going forward with the International Bridge Trade Corridor and this commercial corridor, we will know exactly where that truck is. We will know where it crosses. We will know how it’s headed because it will be on one road moving one direction. And so being able to monitor commercial traffic is extremely crucial in moving forward with border security,” Canales said.

Commercial trucks wait to be screened in Brownsville, Texas, after crossing from Mexico in May 2023. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)

Canales sits on the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, which he says has studied how to equip Texas roadways with border surveillance cameras. He told Border Report it is his hope that, once installed, the surveillance equipment will allow some of the Texas troopers who have been sent to the border as part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star border security initiative to be relieved of their duties in the RGV.

“So by using technology, we can get a lot of troopers back to their areas. Because what we’ve done is we’ve taken troopers from other portions of the state for border security,” he said. “Other portions of states have suffered because they don’t have those troopers. And so border security is important. And making sure that we have secured the border is important. But the way in which we do it is also important. So we can implement technology and make sure our troopers get to go back to their areas where they can patrol and keep those neighborhoods and areas safe.”

Gov. Abbott touted the new International Bridge Trade Corridor on Thursday as he gave the keynote address at the Rio Grande Valley Economic Summit held in Edinburg.

“As one of the fastest growing areas in the entire state and home to our most important port, the Rio Grande Valley is where the economic future of Texas lies,” Abbott said.

COTULLA, Tx. (KGNS) - A Laredo federal judge sentenced a 27-year-old man to over 20 years in federal prison.

Court documents state that in 2021, a search warrant at a Cotulla home revealed that Jose Luis Lara had over 1,000 images and over 600 videos of Lara abusing a child.

Lara had filmed the abuse and shared the images online.

He said he filmed the images while in Big Wells, Texas before moving to Cotulla.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

In the document, it alleges Parades also claimed the association board of directors authorized Jalomo to transfer COVID-19 stipend payments to the association members using Jalomo’s personal bank account.

At that time, Parades believed the financial documents were in good standing and there was no unexplained loss of funds.

However, in January 2023, Parades was informed by the Texas Rangers that through an investigation it was found that a balance of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 was missing from the association’s account and received by Jalomo.

In February, Parades stated the association voted to file charges against Jalomo.

Those claims were also confirmed by the new LPOA president Heriberto Avalos that the members had voted to file charges against Jalomo.

Parades passed away February 8th, 2023.

The Texas Ranger also interviewed the former association treasurer, Nancy Castillo, who reviewed the association financial records and provided the Texas Rangers with documents relating to the association.

Castillo told the agency that Jalomo did not have authority to issue and sign financial checks for the association but knew that Jalomo had access to the association’s cash app account.

The documents state that Castillo was unaware if Jalomo was authorized to transfer LPOA funds into Jalomo’s bank account.

Castillo stated that there were “multiple unauthorized financial transactions and the unaccounted or missing LPOA money that totaled $2,500 or more but less than $30,000.”

The Texas Rangers also questioned Jalomo’s ex-wife who said Jalomo claimed the unexplained fund in their account came from a “college reimbursement” and told her “Not to worry.”

Finally, the Texas Rangers questioned Jalomo on the missing funds and Jalomo stated that he used that account to pay members stipend for COVID-19 relief and medical hardships.

The Texas Rangers found that Jalomo had completed “over 20 financial transactions to appropriate money from the association” and Jalomo “intended to deprive LPOA of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000.”

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The resentencing trial of Jorge Rodriguez Jr., who was previously sentenced to 50 years in prison for the killing of UISD coach Rolando Ramos in 2018, has reached its fourth day. The proceedings, which began with opening statements, have delved into the forensic analysis of the crime scene, autopsies, and other crucial evidence to determine the appropriate punishment for Rodriguez’s actions.

Revealing the Fatal Details, Cause and Manner of Death:

The courtroom was abuzz as the trial resumed on Thursday, August 17, with the testimony of Dr. Corinne Stern, Chief Medical Examiner for Webb County. Dr. Stern, with nearly 17 years of experience and over 7,500 autopsies, shed light on the details of Coach Ramos’ autopsy, which occurred on June 20, 2018, the day after his tragic death on June 19, 2018.

Dr. Stern testified that Ramos died from multiple stab wounds, confirming the manner of death as a homicide. She presented autopsy reports and images detailing the injuries sustained by Ramos. The report revealed a combination of stab and incise wounds, including scratches on his face and a series of stab wounds on his chest, abdomen, and back.

The most significant wounds were those to the chest that penetrated vital organs, with Dr. Stern emphasizing that some injuries could have caused Ramos’ death within seconds to minutes. The state presented evidence showing that these wounds were not random and inflicted intentionally, possibly ruling out accidental causes.

Insights into Personal Connections and Struggles:

A crucial juncture in the trial was marked by Dr. Stern’s poignant testimony about her personal interactions with Jorge Rodriguez Jr. It emerged that the day after the autopsy, a technician drew her attention to a photograph of Rodriguez, a person she recognized from a Craigslist ad she had posted for her farm. The ensuing meeting revealed Rodriguez’s candid admission, “I know how I look like, and let me tell you my story.”

Dr. Stern recounted how Rodriguez shared his struggles, leading her to employ him for a year and a half, where he demonstrated his skill in various tasks including cleaning stalls and goat pens. She described him as “good with his hands,” showing her trust in his abilities.

Dr. Stern went on to detail the support she extended to Rodriguez, including medical attention, supplies for a renovation project, and efforts to help him obtain his GED, which he missed by a single question. Additionally, she expressed her admiration for Rodriguez’s girlfriend, even offering her employment at the medical examiner’s office.

However, Dr. Stern’s testimony took a somber turn as she reflected on the evolving dynamics of her relationship with Rodriguez. She confessed that, in hindsight, there were red flags along the way. A significant incident was when cash went missing, leading to a confrontation. She acknowledged a sense of intuition guiding her actions, prompting her to alert the authorities and sever communication with Rodriguez.

Further into the proceedings, the defense delved into Rodriguez’s employment with Dr. Stern. Drawing from previous testimony, the defense highlighted Rodriguez’s affinity for animals, a quality Dr. Stern had observed. He often took time to pet her pets, and she testified that he was particularly skilled with the animals under her care.

In particular, Dr. Stern mentioned how Rodriguez showed an aptitude for caring for her horses, even though it wasn’t his primary responsibility. She referred to them as “prized possessions” and praised Rodriguez for his diligence in cleaning their stalls and taking care of them. Additionally, he assisted with various tasks related to the goats on her farm, displaying a respectful and responsible demeanor.

Dr. Stern’s account of her experiences with Rodriguez revealed a complex relationship that encompassed compassion, mentorship, and ultimately, a sense of betrayal. She described the profound impact of the ordeal on her, which led her to conclude, “That little voice in my head said ‘get him out of here.’”

Under questioning, Dr. Stern also candidly shared her initial reaction upon discovering Rodriguez’s involvement in the case, acknowledging that the scenario could have easily involved her.

Revelations Surrounding Solicitation on Craigslist:

Investigator Rolando Perez, a digital forensics expert from the Laredo Police Department, testified about his role in extracting data from Ramos’ laptop. The defense aimed to establish the chain of custody for the laptop, focusing on the analysis performed by Perez and the subsequent handling of the evidence.

Tensions rose as the defense questioned Perez about the proper procedures, leading to arguments between the two sides. The defense attempted to introduce evidence from David Galant, a computer services expert, to establish context for Ramos’ online interactions, including solicitation on Craigslist of homosexual intercourse.

Debates Over Context and Relevance:

The defense aimed to use this testimony to elucidate the development of the relationship between Rodriguez and Coach Ramos and to provide a contextual framework for the events that transpired.

However, the state swiftly objected, arguing that the testimony was straying from the primary focus of the trial, which was the sudden passion charge. According to the defense, this evidence was essential to showcase the establishment and evolution of the relationship, eventually leading to the specific moment that led to the tragic incident.

The courtroom’s attention turned to Judge Hale’s ruling on the extent of permissible testimony. The defense argued for a broader scope, asserting the importance of presenting character evidence. However, Judge Hale ruled that testimony should focus exclusively on the relationship between the victim and the defendant, excluding communication involving third parties.

Communication Threads Presented and Repeated Objections:

The defense introduced their expert witness, David Troy Gallant, a seasoned digital forensics expert from a San Antonio firm. Gallant’s extensive qualifications and experience were emphasized, establishing his authority in the field.

Gallant elaborated on his role in the case and the meticulous process of analyzing the forensic image of the laptop’s hard drive. He highlighted the significance of forensic imaging in preserving an exact copy of the hard drive’s contents, aiding in analysis. Gallant’s testimony underscored the independent verification of evidence. He explained how his analysis corroborated the communication between the victim and the defendant.

Despite the state’s efforts, the defense managed to extract essential details about the communication threads between the victim and the defendant. The defense highlighted the importance of these threads to establish the nature of their relationship. As the defense delved deeper into the evidence, the state continued to raise objections. Judge Hale sustained some of these objections, shaping the course of the testimony and the type of information that could be presented.

The defense concluded their examination of Gallant and the state chose not to extend their questioning.

Personal Struggles and Familial Insights:

The court reconvened for the afternoon session, marked by the appearance of Blanca Trejo, Jorge Rodriguez’s stepmother. Trejo, who has known Rodriguez for 19 years, depicted a multifaceted individual struggling with addiction but also displaying moments of compassion and restraint. She described him as a “really good” kid at home who acknowledged his drug problem.

Trejo testified that despite his drug addiction, Rodriguez remained non-violent and calm, often retreating to his room in what appeared to be moments of shame. She recounted instances of theft, explaining that they were a result of his addiction, and testified to her family’s efforts to help him recover. She expressed her belief that Rodriguez deserves a second chance for the sake of his wife and child.

Following Trejo’s testimony, the defense called Jorge Rodriguez Sr., Rodriguez’s father, to the stand. Rodriguez Sr. described his son as a loving and caring man with a history of drug addiction. He detailed Rodriguez’s struggles with addiction, including theft and run-ins with the law. Despite these issues, Rodriguez Sr. emphasized that his son had never demonstrated violence and was always calm.

Rodriguez Sr. highlighted his son’s attempts at rehabilitation and the challenges they faced in seeking help. He urged the court to consider the loving person he knew. The defense concluded Rodriguez Sr.’s testimony.

The court reconvened with Raymundo Rodriguez, Jorge’s brother, taking the stand. Raymundo described Jorge as his older brother and a source of guidance throughout his life. With tears in his eyes, Raymundo shared that Jorge was a kind and loving person who advised him against following the same path of addiction and encouraged him to stay in school. He recalled that Jorge even supported his decision to pursue a career as a DPS trooper.

Raymundo recounted instances when he transported Jorge to Coach Ramos’ house, emphasizing that he was unaware of their relationship’s nature. He painted Jorge as a motivator and a role model, citing his ability to forgive and his lack of aggressive behavior.

As the court proceeded, Patricia de Leon, Jorge’s mother, took the stand. De Leon testified to Jorge’s respectful and loving nature, highlighting his commitment to motivating others. She described him as a person who never exhibited anger, violence, or profanity and noted his positive influence on his half-sisters. The courtroom was presented with exhibits depicting Jorge with his family.

De Leon emotionally discussed the sketches and items Jorge sent from jail, including a pencil sketch portrait of herself drawn by Jorge. She expressed pride in her son’s progress, stating that he had been sober for five years, leading to improvements in his communication skills and overall demeanor.

The defense’s efforts to humanize Jorge continued as De Leon offered an apology on his behalf to the Ramos family. The moment was cut short due to an objection, but De Leon’s sentiment was clear—she acknowledged her son’s actions and hoped for a fair outcome.

The State moved on to inquire about Jorge Rodriguez’s history of drug addiction. The prosecutor mentioned a family member named Susy Salinas and alleged that Jorge had burglarized her home. However, De Leon asserted that she was not aware of this incident.

The topic of Jorge’s sobriety emerged, with the State suggesting that his current sobriety was primarily due to his incarceration. De Leon contested this assertion, stating that Jorge had been sober voluntarily at times.

The State probed into the potential for Jorge Rodriguez to revert to his previous drug habits. In response, De Leon offered a candid and heartfelt statement: “I’m not going to sit here and lie to you. I know my son, and I know he’s hurting, and I know he misses us, and I know he’s going to try his best to not have to go back to that place again. I know that. I know him.”

The defense directed the conversation toward the period leading up to the murder, questioning De Leon about Jorge’s state of mind and drug use during that time. She acknowledged that Jorge had been doing better but had experienced a relapse just before the tragic incident. She admitted that he had been using drugs the year before his arrest. The defense raised the possibility that Jorge was purchasing more drugs using money from Coach Ramos, to which De Leon responded that she believed that might be the case.

The State asked if De Leon was aware of the nature of the relationship between Jorge and Coach Ramos. De Leon clarified that she only knew about the business side of their relationship and was not aware of any sexual component to it. When the State asked if she could determine whether Coach Ramos was a good or bad influence on Jorge, De Leon acknowledged that she could not make that determination. As the State concluded its questioning, the defense declined to pose further questions to De Leon.

Gilberto Rodriguez, Jorge’s younger brother, took the stand. Gilberto testified that he often provided rides for Jorge to Coach Ramos’s house. He described Jorge as a patient and non-angry person, mentioning that on several occasions, he waited outside the Coach’s house for his brother for around 30-45 minutes. Gilberto clarified that this was the only house he would wait outside, indicating that he was unaware of the house’s owner or the nature of their relationship.

During the cross-examination, the State asked Gilberto about Jorge’s appearance leaving Coach Ramos’s house. Gilberto characterized Jorge’s demeanor as “neutral.” The State attempted to steer the conversation toward the violent nature of the crime, asking if Gilberto believed that stabbing someone nine times could be considered violent. However, the line of questioning was objected to and shifted.

The State pressed Gilberto on Jorge’s drug use during a specific period, referencing an instance when Gilberto was in California in 2018. The questioning aimed to highlight that Gilberto would not have a comprehensive understanding of Jorge’s drug habits during that time. Despite this, Gilberto maintained his belief that Jorge’s behavior during that time was uncharacteristic of his normal demeanor.

The State then asked whether Gilberto thought Jorge should be held responsible for his actions. Gilberto agreed with the principle of accountability. The State concluded its questioning, and the defense chose not to continue the cross-examination.

The defense briefly questioned Gilberto, asking him if he would fight back if someone tried to rape him. Gilberto responded that he would. With that, the defense passed the witness, and the State declined to ask further questions, allowing Gilberto Rodriguez to leave the stand.

As the court resumed, Josie Rodriguez, Jorge’s wife, took the stand. Josie, a registered dental assistant and student at LCC, testified that she had known Jorge for 13 years. They initially met on Facebook, and their relationship began to develop. Josie mentioned that their bond grew stronger after Jorge passed a “daughter test” where he interacted well with her child. Josie admitted that both she and Jorge had struggled with addiction. Despite this, she attested to Jorge’s respectful and non-violent nature. She recounted an incident when she slapped Jorge, and he reacted by not retaliating physically.

The defense asked Josie to share her perspective on why the jury should care about Jorge. She described Jorge as a person with immense empathy who would always be there to listen and offer support to those in need. She emphasized that beneath his facial tattoos, he was a completely different person who made efforts to make others happy.

The defense inquired about Jorge’s relationship with Coach Ramos. Josie revealed that she had been suspicious of the frequency of Jorge’s visits to the Coach’s house. In fact, she had even offered to accompany him to find out where he was going, suspecting infidelity at the time. Josie mentioned that Jorge had a code to access the gate to the Coach’s house. Josie recounted how Jorge would not allow her to park right in front of the Coach’s house when dropping him off, particularly after midnight. She acknowledged that Jorge used the money he received to buy drugs, and her testimony revealed that in the year prior to Coach Ramos’s death, Jorge’s struggles with drug addiction had intensified.

Josie revealed that around the time of Coach Ramos’s death, she was undergoing a procedure called a D&C (dilation and curettage) due to a recent miscarriage. She recounted that on the night of Coach Ramos’s death, she didn’t have time for Jorge as she needed to go to the hospital for medical attention. Josie stated that Jorge attempted to visit her at approximately 4 a.m. on June 20th. During this encounter, Jorge appeared distressed and emotional, admitting his feelings of failure as a husband and expressing remorse.

Sensitive Information and Defense Continuation:

Josie shared that Jorge had confessed something to her during this emotional interaction. However, an objection was raised by the State, leading to a sidebar discussion between the counsels and the judge. After consulting legal references, the defense was permitted to proceed.

The defense asked Josie to describe Jorge’s demeanor during their interaction. She recalled that Jorge was uncontrollably crying and exhibited signs of extreme emotional distress. Josie described how Jorge’s behavior contrasted sharply with his usual demeanor, as he appeared worried. Jorge admitted to Josie that he had done something wrong, his voice trembling, and his hands shaking. The details of the confession were challenged by objections and legal discussions, preventing specific information from being disclosed. Josie indicated that Jorge didn’t immediately reveal the specifics of what had occurred.

The defense introduced an exhibit, but the State objected, resulting in another sidebar meeting.

The defense posed questions about personal values and ethics, seeking to understand Josie’s perspectives. Josie affirmed her commitment to hard work and acknowledged that determining whether a certain action was “cold-hearted” was not a simple yes-or-no matter.

The State inquired about the timeline of Josie’s relationship with Jorge. The State noted that Jorge’s relationship with Coach Ramos began around the same time, which Josie claimed to be unaware of.

Josie confirmed that on the night of her miscarriage, Jorge went to Coach Ramos’s house, indicating that she was aware of this visit. The State introduced an exhibit that Josie did not recognize. The exhibit was not made public at that moment.

A sudden revelation occurred as the State asked Josie about Jorge’s communications with someone named ‘Natasha Jacom.’ The question was met with simultaneous objections from both the prosecution and the defense. The judge and counsel convened for a discussion. The State proceeded to publish the exhibit following the sidebar. Josie affirmed that her relationship with Jorge was non-violent. The State then had Josie read a message sent by Jorge that contained aggressive language.

The State questioned Josie about whether she could assure the jury that Jorge would not commit any more crimes if released. Josie explained that she couldn’t predict the future and couldn’t make such assurances. Josie acknowledged that Jorge had made efforts to commit to a life of sobriety. She emphasized their discussions about his plans to help both others and himself.

Conclusion and Adjournment:

With Josie’s testimony, the day’s proceedings concluded. The courtroom was adjourned, and both sides prepared for the continuation of testimonies on the following day.