Latest news with #FBIElPaso
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
FBI seeks students for annual Teen Academy
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The FBI El Paso Field Office is looking for teenagers who want to make a difference and learn more about what the law-enforcement agency does. FBI El Paso is looking for high-school students to apply to attend the annual summer Teen Academy here in El Paso. The application, release form and a supporting essay must be received by the El Paso Field Office by 5 p.m. May 16. To attend you must be in ninth through 12th grade, attending an accredited high school (public, private or home school). 'Participating in the FBI El Paso Teen Academy is an exciting and unique opportunity forstudents who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and our nation,'said John Morales, FBI El Paso special agent in charge. 'As the future leaders andchangemakers, today's teens have an amazing, firsthand opportunity to step inside the worldof the FBI and explore how they can be part of something greater — protecting the Americanpeople and upholding the U.S. Constitution. This immersive experience not only introducesstudents to real-world, multi-disciplinary career paths in federal law enforcement, but alsoinspires them to develop leadership, integrity, and a strong sense of civic duty. If you're drivenby purpose bigger than yourself, a burning desire to protect your community and curious abouthow the FBI serves our nation, the Teen Academy is your first step toward an impactful andrewarding future.' The FBI Teen Academy provides an opportunity for high-school students to catch a glimpse behind the scenes of the FBI and give participants a greater understanding of the FBI's mission. The FBI hires from all academic backgrounds, not just criminal justice, the organization said. Submit applications to: FBI_EP_TeenAcademy@ Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. The FBI will notify students of their application status by email no later than Friday, May 30. Theapplication and more information can be found by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former Valentine ISD employee sentenced to prison for stealing federal funds
PECOS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A former Valentine Independent School District employee was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 27 months in prison for wire fraud and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. According to court documents, Ernesto Villarreal Jr., 43, of Marfa, was employed as the Business Manager and served as the Tax Collector and Assessor for the Valentine ISD, in Valentine, Texas. During his time as an agent of Valentine ISD, Villarreal schemed to defraud Valentine ISD by using two ISD credit cards to make hundreds of unauthorized personal purchases totaling over $100,000; issued over $10,000 in unauthorized checks to himself from Valentine ISD accounts; and issued over $20,000 in unauthorized checks from Valentine ISD accounts to cover personal expenses owed to a credit card company. He also changed the bank account information for certain current and former employees, then generated over $100,000 in fraudulent payments to those current and former employees, for work that did not actually occur. Villarreal then routed those payments to his own personal bank accounts, all without the knowledge or permission of the employees. Villarreal used the fraudulent funds for hundreds of personal purchases, including travel, lodging, home improvements, hardware store purchases, personal cell phone bills, fuel, oil changes, convenience store purchases, Airbnb rentals, personal flight purchases, and various other unauthorized purchases. The total loss to Valentine ISD was $314,497.74. Villarreal was arrested on June 24, 2024, and pleaded guilty on November 20 to all nine counts against him. In addition to imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge David Counts ordered Villarreal to pay restitution to Valentine ISD in the amount of $314,497.74 and ordered a forfeiture money judgment against Villarreal in the amount of $291,853.90. 'Mr. Villarreal abused his positions and the trust given to him, to steal and defraud the Valentine ISD—one of the smallest school districts in Texas—out of more than $300,000,' said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. 'This investigation, conviction, and sentence in this case all show that this type of dishonest behavior will not be tolerated.' 'The foundation of any financial system is trust—and the expectation that those persons entrusted with public funding will honor that trust and act with integrity. As the Valentine School District Business Manager and Tax Collector/Assessor, Villarreal held a position of absolute trust. Instead, he chose to betray that trust by misappropriating funds that were destined for students,' said Special Agent in Charge John Morales for FBI El Paso. 'Most students and everyday citizens don't have access to institutional finances to be able to question discrepancies or missing funds. That is why the FBI El Paso, alongside our law enforcement partners, is committed to uncovering financial wrongdoing and ensuring those who believe they can quietly take $300,000 without consequence are held fully accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Threatening handwritten note' diverts Sun Country flight to El Paso
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A 'threatening handwritten note' was what caused a Sun Country Airlines flight leaving Minneapolis and heading to Mazatlán, Mexico, to divert to the El Paso International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, March 5, FBI El Paso said. Sun Country flight bound for Mazatlán diverted to El Paso airport for 'security concern' FBI El Paso said the note was found on the airplane alleging, 'You Are All Going to Die, Help Me,' which the flight crew immediately reported to law enforcement and diverted the flight for their and passengers' safety. During interviews, it was found that the threat was 'a hoax initiated by two young children on the flight.' The United States Attorney's Office of the Western District of Texas declined federal criminal prosecution, FBI El Paso said. As we previously reported, the airline said on Wednesday that Flight 593 was diverted to El Paso 'out of an abundance of caution in response to a security concern.' The airline said the aircraft landed without incident. Passengers were deplaned safely and were provided overnight accommodations. The FBI added that the investigation determined there was no threat to the safety of the passengers, flight crew, or the airplane. 'FBI El Paso would again like to thank our law enforcement partners, Sun Country Airline, and especially all 156 passengers for your patience during the investigation. Each threat of violence is taken seriously as your safety is paramount,' said John Morales, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
FBI responds after flight headed to Mexico diverts to Texas over ‘security concern'
A flight from Minneapolis to Mexico on Wednesday had to be diverted to El Paso due to a 'security concern,' drawing a response from the FBI. Sun Country Airlines Flight 593 was forced to make an unscheduled stop in El Paso, near the US-Mexico border. The plane reportedly landed without incident, according to NBC News. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was 'diverted to El Paso out of an abundance of caution in response to a security concern,' according to a statement released by Sun County Airlines. All of the passengers exited the plane safely and were provided with overnight accommodations, the airline said. According to CBS News, which cited an unnamed source familiar with the situation, a passenger on the plane reportedly found a note threatening everyone on the flight. It was reportedly the note that forced the plan to land prematurely. "We are working with law enforcement to fully investigate the situation and assess the validity of the concern," Sun Country Airlines wrote. The FBI wrote in a statement on X that it was responding to a situation at the El Paso International Airport on Wednesday. 'At approximately 4:15pm MST, FBI El Paso was notified by our partners at El Paso International Airport and the FBI's National Threat Operation Center of a diverted airplane heading to El Paso, Texas, from Minneapolis,' FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge John Morales said in a statement. The law enforcement office did say that its purpose at the site was to "assist our partners and ensure the safety of the passengers and the flight crew aboard the plane." "FBI El Paso wants to thank the 156 passengers for your patience as our team conducted interviews to determine the circumstances behind the reported security concern," Morales said. Later on Wednesday, the FBI released another statement, saying it had "determined there was no threat to the safety of the passengers, flight crew, or the airplane." The flight's final destination was Mazatlan, a coastal town in Mexico's Sinaloa state. It is unclear if the passengers who were deplaned returned to Minneapolis or were provided new transportation to Mazatlan. "We apologize to our passengers and all those affected by this situation, but safety and security are out highest priorities," Sun Country Airlines wrote in its statement. "We will do everything to minimize the disruption and get travelers to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible."
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
MSP Sun Country Airlines flight diverted, no threat found
A Sun Country Airlines flight that left Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Wednesday was diverted to Texas in response to a security concern. Sun Country Airlines flight 593 was headed to Mazatlán, Mexico when it was diverted to El Paso, Texas 'out of an abundance of caution in response to a security concern,' the airline said Thursday. Law enforcement, including FBI El Paso, responded to the scene late Wednesday afternoon to investigate, but found no threat. 'The investigation determined there was no threat to the safety of the passengers, flight crew or the plane,' said FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge John Morales, in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'FBI El Paso wants to thank the 156 passengers for your patience as our team conducted interviews to determine the circumstances behind the reported security concern.' The plane landed without incident and passengers were deplaned safely and given overnight accommodations, the airline said in an email. 'We apologize to our passengers and all those affected by this situation, but safety and security are our highest priorities.' The passengers are expected to depart El Paso for Mazatlán Thursday afternoon, the airline said. The news of the diversion comes on the heels of several recent plane crashes, including a Delta Air Lines flight that left MSP and crash-landed in Toronto last month. The jet, carrying 80 passengers who all lived to tell the tale, flipped onto its roof while landing. Crime & Public Safety | Passenger from Minnesota files lawsuit after Delta crash in Toronto Crime & Public Safety | 'It's a miracle': Bayport man home after surviving Toronto plane crash Crime & Public Safety | What's the key to surviving a plane crash? Skilled crew, strong seats and wings that detach Crime & Public Safety | Bayport man describes 'mass chaos' of Delta plane crash in Toronto Crime & Public Safety | Questions emerge about what may have caused Delta plane to burst into flames and flip over
