Former Laredo council member Alfonso “Poncho” Casso has filed a petition seeking the removal of Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr., accusing the sheriff of incompetency and official misconduct under Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code. In the filing, Casso asks for an outside judge to be assigned to the case and requests that Cuellar be temporarily suspended from office while the case moves forward.  

Petition centers on federal indictment

The petition ties the removal effort directly to Cuellar’s November 2025 federal indictment. According to the filing, Cuellar was indicted on five counts, including conspiracy, multiple counts involving theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The petition says those charges stem from allegations that Cuellar, Alejandro Gutierrez and Ricardo Rodriguez used Webb County Sheriff’s Office staff and resources to operate a for-profit disinfecting business during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Casso’s petition repeats allegations that sheriff’s office employees handled work for Disinfect Pro Master using county time, vehicles, equipment and supplies, and that the business later secured a $500,000 contract to disinfect United Independent School District schools. The filing argues those allegations amount to official misconduct and a corrupt failure to carry out the duties of office.

Additional allegations raised in filing

Beyond the federal case, the petition raises a set of claims about the sheriff’s office and county operations. It alleges whistleblowers and witnesses inside the sheriff’s office have been harassed, points to what it describes as a pattern of inmate deaths and sexual harassment issues at the Webb County Jail, references the federal sentencing of a former jailer for sexually assaulting women in custody, and mentions a prior sexual harassment settlement involving Cuellar. The filing also points to a January 22, 2026, letter in which Cuellar said he was relinquishing authority to sign county purchase orders and delegating that responsibility to Chief Julio Gonzalez. The petition also accuses Cuellar of election-related violations and alleges misuse of public resources for political activity. As relief, Casso asks the court to cite Cuellar to appear, suspend him pending trial, appoint another person to perform the duties of sheriff during that period, appoint a prosecutor from outside the county or judicial district, order a full accounting of the alleged misuse of funds, and ultimately remove Cuellar from office after trial.  

Sheriff files answer denying allegations

Cuellar has already responded in court. In his original answer, the sheriff denied each allegation in the removal petition and demanded strict proof. His filing also asks the court to enter judgment in his favor and award court costs, attorney’s fees and any other relief he may be entitled to receive. 

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