In a case raising serious concerns over the hiring practices of Texas law enforcement, Webb County’s Sheriff and two of his employees have received formal reprimands from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The reprimands were issued after an investigation revealed that an individual with a criminal record involving human trafficking was employed as a temporary jailer. Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr., along with staff members Pablo Lerma Jr. and Felix S. Nunez, played key roles in approving the hire, despite the individual’s ineligibility for licensure under Texas law.
The Red Flags: TCOLE’s Alarming Discovery
The incident came to light in April 2024 when TCOLE received a notification from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s “rap-back” system, a real-time alert system for criminal histories. It flagged that the Webb County Sheriff’s Office had hired someone with a conviction for “Transporting an Undocumented Alien within the United States for Private Financial Gain.” This charge, equivalent to a felony under Texas law, automatically disqualifies the individual from any law enforcement position. Despite this, they were hired as a jailer, gaining direct access to the jail and detainees .
Sheriff Cuellar’s Role: Accountability at the Top
As the chief administrator, Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr. bears primary responsibility for this hire. TCOLE’s reprimand emphasizes Cuellar’s accountability, noting that he failed to enforce adequate background checks, leading to a decision that risks public safety. The reprimand underscores that Cuellar’s role as sheriff includes overseeing all hires, ensuring they meet the strict legal standards for law enforcement in Texas. Cuellar’s failure to do so in this case raises serious questions about oversight and due diligence within his department .
The Enablers: Lerma and Nunez’s Involvement
Pablo Lerma Jr. and Felix S. Nunez, both members of the Sheriff’s Office, were also reprimanded for their involvement. Lerma advised on the background investigation, contributing to the decision to approve this unqualified hire. His assistance in bringing an individual with a human trafficking-related conviction into the jail indicates either a serious oversight or a lack of commitment to the hiring standards meant to protect the public .
Meanwhile, Felix S. Nunez, tasked with conducting the background check, missed—or ignored—the criminal record. TCOLE’s reprimand highlights that Nunez, as the final check in the hiring process, failed to flag the individual’s conviction. This lapse enabled the Sheriff’s Office to hire someone whose past directly contradicted the safety and integrity expected of law enforcement, particularly in a county facing significant trafficking issues on the border .
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