Chief Maldonado requests Congressional funding to support community safety efforts

 Washington, D.C. – Chief Carlos R. Maldonado of the Laredo Police Department was invited to the White House, where he provided insight on how the Administration’s recently-released Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States can be implemented locally. Chief Maldonado joined more than 35 senior and front line law enforcement officials in giving feedback, talking about how the federal government can best support efforts to implement the strategy in local communities. Participants also had the opportunity to inform officials like Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about their local needs and how the government can be most helpful, especially highlighting many of the activities occurring in their respective communities already.

  “This was an incredible opportunity for federal officials to listen to the concerns and the need to further partnerships and collaborations” said Chief Maldonado. The Chief further added “concerns were voiced to Attorney General Holder and Secretary Napolitano regarding budget cuts and adequate staffing needs.  They both agreed that these issues would be addressed and I feel confident and have renewed hope that funding will be allocated to ensure border security.”  Chief Maldonado concludes “The Administration called and said they wanted my input – they know it needs to be implemented by people in the community in a way that matches the reality on the ground.”  

 In addition to explaining how the Administration can improve its support to state, local and tribal partners, Chief Maldonado expressed that Congress should allocate the $5 billion from the American Jobs Act to hire 40,000 new cops, so that these critical law enforcement jobs of the future are funded.

 Empowering state, tribal and local partners is an integral part of the Administration’s plan to protect communities against violent extremists, which builds upon existing local partnerships, promotes information-driven community-based solutions, and utilizes community-oriented policing efforts to counter violent extremism and violent crime regardless of ideology. At the event, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) briefed the participants on current analysis, engagement efforts around the country, and current efforts to ensure training is accurate and protects civil rights and liberties. 

 The Administration’s strategy on countering violent extremism was developed with significant input from state, local and tribal law enforcement and members of community organizations. Working together with communities and local law enforcement has been successful in previous efforts to mitigate threats and improve public safety. 

 Chief Maldonado said that Congress should appropriate funding for state and local law enforcement efforts, since they play a critical role in community preparedness and countering violent extremist threats. According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, the American Jobs Act would allocate $5 billion for state and local law enforcement and first responders, creating 40,000 new law enforcement jobs around the country and mandating expedited hiring through the Department of Justice’s COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Program.

 LAREDO, Texas – Ruben Ibarra, 37, of Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for illegally possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Laredo Police Department Chief Carlos R. Maldonado. The conviction and sentence stems from an altercation at the Coyote Creek Bar and Grill restaurant during the early morning hours of Feb. 28, 2011, involving Ibarra and Fernando Perez, 28, also of Laredo. 

Courtesy Joe Baeza,

(Laredo, Tx)-Laredo Police Department is asking for your help in identifying a person in this surveillance footage.   The person is wanted for questioning only.  He is not a suspect and is not wanted for arrest.  The photos are of a man making a purchase of bolt cutters from a local hardware store in North Laredo.  There was evidence left behind at the crime scene that could have only been purchased at this hardware store.  The purchase was made the day before the burglary.  If anyone can identify this man they are being asked to call the Laredo Police Department at 795-2800 with any information. All calls will remain anonymous.

The arrest took place on Wednesday night at a local park.  Sciaraffa’s son and the others were later released on a $1,000 bond that was posted by each individual. 

Sciaraffa and the group could receive up to a year in jail  if found guilty on the charge.

ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AT 6:40 P.M., AN LPD OFFICER WAS DISPATCHED TO A PUBLIC LEWDNESS CALL AT 1001 S. US HWY 83 (THE EXPRESS LANE DRIVE THRU). WHILE EN ROUTE THE DISPATCH NOTES STATED THAT A FEMALE WAS ALLEGEDLY DANCING ON TOP OF A CUSTOMER INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOOR OPEN IN PLAIN VIEW. THE REPORTING PARTY REFUSED TO IDENTIFY. UPON THE OFFICER’S ARRIVAL AT THE EXPRESS LANE DRIVE THRU HE OBSERVED ONLY ONE FEMALE EMPLOYEE WHO WAS WEARING A SMALL LACE BLACK THONG WHICH EXPOSED HER ENTIRE BUTTOCKS,  A SMALL ZEBRA STRIPPED SEE THRU SHIRT CUT OFF AT THE BOTTOM AREA OF HER BREASTS AND BLUE HIGH HEELS. THE OFFICER ASKED THE FEMALE IF SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WORKING AND SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS, AND THE REST OF THE WORKERS HAD THE NIGHT OFF.

THE OFFICER THEN ASKED THE FEMALE IF SHE HAD ANY IDENTIFICATION ON HER. THE FEMALE THEN VERBALLY IDENTIFIED HERSELF BY NAME AND GAVE HER DATE OF BIRTH. UPON HEARING HER DATE OF BIRTH THE OFFICER ASKED THE GIRL HOW OLD SHE WAS AND SHE STATED SHE WAS 16 YEARS OLD.

THE OFFICER THEN DECIDED TO FILE AN “EMPLOYMENT HARMFUL TO CHILDREN” REPORT. THE EMPLOYMENT HARMFULTO CHILDREN SECTION STATES THAT A PERSON COMMITS AN OFFENSE IF THEY EMPLOY OR INDUCE A PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE TO WORK (b)(2) IN ANY PLACE OF BUSINESS PERMITTING, REQUESTING, OR REQUIRING A PERSON UNDER 18 TO WORK NUDE OR TOPLESS.

 THE SAME SECTION THEN DEFINES NUDE AS (A) ENTIRELY UNCLOTHED, (B) CLOTHED IN A MANNER THAT LEAVES UNCOVERED OR VISIBLE THROUGH LESS THAN FULLY OPAQUE CLOTHING ANY PORTION OF THE BREAST BELOW THE TOP OF THE BREAST, IF THE CHILD IS FEMALE, OR ANY PORTION OF THE GENITALS OR BUTTOCKS.  A FEW MINUTES LATER THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS ARRIVED. THE OWNER WAS IDENTIFIED AS SANDY SAAVEDRA.

CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE 24 HOUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY HOT LINE AND THE OFFICER SPOKE WITH AN ASSITANT DISTRICT AATTORNEY ON DUTY. A C.S.I WAS THEN REQUESTED TO THE SCENE. THE INVESTIGATOR TOOK PHOTOS OF THE CHILD’S APPEARANCE AS EVIDENCE.

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(Laredo, Tx)-An international exchange student named Shane Horgan from the University College Cork, in Ireland recently completed a full two summer term internship with the Laredo Police Department.  The student was assigned to various divisions within the Laredo PD and was given unique supervised access to the development of criminal cases and investigations.  Mr. Horgan in his own words describes his experience;

 My Placement Experience with the Laredo Police Department.

 “My name is Shane Horgan and I am Social Science (B.Soc.Sc) student at University College Cork, (UCC) in Ireland.  I have studied at the university for the past two years and have just entered my final year. UCC is Ireland’s second largest university and was established in 1845. It has a student population of just under 19,000 students, including a large number of international students, many of whom come from the US.

 The B.Soc.Sc trains students to be social scientists and the curriculum includes subjects such as social policy, sociology, philosophy, economics and psychology, during which they gain and develop new insights and skills. In the final year we are required to complete a 15,000 word social research project which involves doing original research on a topic we have chosen. To acquire practical experience we also have the option of doing work placement/ internships in both the second and third years of study. This requires that students complete a number of hours with an agency of their choice and involves a minimum of 150 hours of work and a 4,000 word portfolio report documenting the placement learning experience.

For both of my placement modules in the summer of 2010 and 2011 I have had the amazing opportunity to work with the men and women of the Laredo Police Department. This opportunity has been both unforgettable and invaluable to both my education and degree, but also in guiding me towards my ultimate career goals. It has been particularly valuable for me as an Irish student as this kind of experience is not available in Ireland. The Laredo Police Department exposed me to the true experience of American police work, a side that the general public is not privy to. Over the past two years the Laredo Police allowed me to experience the front line of the war on narcotics, gang violence and underworld criminal activity. In the interest of the wider community the officers of the Laredo Police department put themselves at risk everyday conducting various types of investigations to apprehend some of the most notorious and dangerous criminals in America. Whilst with the police department I had first-hand experience of narcotics investigations, search warrants, homicide investigations and specialized patrol units with both the police department and external agencies. Experiencing this first hand was undoubtedly a life changing experience, and helped to mould my education, career but also my views, outlook and general life experience.

 I am extremely grateful to Chief Carlos Maldonado, the police officers and civilian staff for facilitating my placement at Laredo Police Department.  It was a hugely valuable learning experience for me and I can truly say that what I learned will stay with me for the rest of my life, both professionally and socially.  On the basis of my placements in Laredo over the past two years I am determined to pursue a career in the criminal justice system and sincerely hope to maintain my contact with everyone involved in law enforcement in Laredo Police Department.”

Assistant Police Chief Jesus Torres states “LPD is proud to have mentored a Criminal Justice student from a country in the EU who demonstrated self-reliance and resourcefulness; I predict his experience with us will enhance his professional skills in his hometown. The LPD officers and staff ‘adopted’ Shane into their ranks and daily activities that formed an alliance that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.”

 Sgt. Sifuentes from the Laredo Police Narcotics Unit states “Shane had a wonderful rapport with the Narcotic’s Unit and all other agencies we work along with on a daily basis. His ability to connect with his coworkers and his talent to adapt to something so new to him was truly superior. He had excellent written and verbal communication skills, is extremely organized, reliable and computer literate. Shane was able to work side by side with a partner and was able to follow through to ensure that the job got done. He accomplished these tasks with great initiative and with a very positive attitude.”

(Laredo, Texas)- Laredo ATF agents and Laredo Police Officers working as ATF Task Force Officers arrested Ruben “Coco” Ibarra in Laredo, Texas on a bench warrant on a Federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The charge is alleged to have occurred on February 28, 2011, at a bar located at the 4600 block of San Bernardo according to the indictment rendered by a Brownsville grand jury just three days before.  If convicted of possessing the Glock 9mm pistol, Ibarra faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years.  Officers with the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife assisted in the arrest. In a different arrest the night before was Fernando Perez who was also involved in the above mentioned indictment for the same incident.

 On August 9th, members of the Laredo Police Department’s Narcotics Unit received information that bundles of marijuana were being stored at a residence at the 5000 block of Moncayo.  Surveillance was immediately set up on this residence.  On the second day of surveillance at approximately 10:00 am., a white Cadillac Escalade truck was observed arriving at said location.  The driver exited the vehicle and met with a male subject from inside the residence later identified as Jose Guadalupe Juarez.

 LPD Narcotics Officers approached the residence and obtained a written consent to search for the residence. Upon entering the home, officers located 12 bundles of marijuana in the master bedroom closet with an approximate weight of 387 pounds with an approximate street value of $163,000. They also seized $23,874 is US currency.

 Jose Guadalupe Juarez  was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana F/2. Juarez was booked at the Laredo Police Department before being remanded to the Webb County Jail pending Magistration.

At approximately 1p.m. Mexican authorities turned over Wenceslao Tovar Jr. to U.S. Marshal’s custody.  He is being held in Federal custody on outstanding federal charges. He was transported to the Laredo Police Department for processing. He is also pending the outstanding warrants from a 2005 case which include charges of Murder, Aggravated kidnapping, and Engaging in organized criminal activity.  Mexican Military located Tovar somewhere in the country of Mexico and then transported him to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Mexico for extradition to the United States.