Latest news with #OscarUgarte
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Video shows El Paso man allegedly abusing dog; charges follow
A man already jailed on unrelated charges is now facing two counts of animal cruelty after authorities reviewed video footage that allegedly shows him physically abusing a small dog. Charles Lee Lipscomb III, 47, was identified by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office after deputies received the footage on Friday, Aug. 1. Although the video is believed to have been recorded about a year earlier, investigators acted swiftly to secure warrants for cruelty to non-livestock animals, according to Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Priscilla I. Contreras. Investigators identified the suspect as Lipscomb and secured two warrants for cruelty to non-livestock animals. He was re-booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility in Downtown with a total bond set at $15,000. He was initially arrested on May 27 for aggravated assault, according to jail records. The dog is reported to be in good health and has been returned to its rightful owner, the news release stated. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. 'There is no excuse for abusing a defenseless animal,' Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. 'We will continue to hold offenders accountable.' More: Man sought in Wells Fargo ATM fraud thefts across El Paso This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso animal cruelty suspect caught on video, re-booked in jail Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Texas justices of the peace, constables conference comes to El Paso
Justices of the peace and county constables from across Texas will gather in El Paso for the 81st Annual Justices of the Peace and Constables Association Education Conference. Justices and constables from more than 80 counties are expected at the 2025 JPCA conference June 23-27, which features professional development, education courses, training and networking, the office of El Paso County Precinct 1 Constable Frank Almada said in a news release. The conference is taking place at the Hotel Paso Del Norte and kicked off Monday evening with a reception at the Mexican American Cultural Center in Downtown. This is the first time in 23 years that the JPCA conference is taking place in El Paso, which beat out Houston, Sugar Land and Conroe to host this year's gathering, Almada's office said. The conference was brought to El Paso due to the efforts of the offices of Constable Almada, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte and Destination El Paso, the city's tourism and convention office. More: City paying $4.8M for buildings to expand Downtown convention center Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas justices of the peace, constables conference comes to El Paso
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
El Paso sheriff launches 'Safe Streets Operation' for 4th of July holiday weekend
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office with other local police agencies are launching "Safe Streets Operation" targeting drunken drivers, speeders, traffic violations and enhancing patrols at Red Sands for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The coordinated holiday operation is part of increased anti-drunken driving efforts since Sheriff Oscar Ugarte and El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson took office in January, including the creation of a sheriff's county DWI Task Force. More: 'Enough is enough': El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson launches DWI crackdown "We're not here to ruin anyone's holiday — we want you to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend with your family and friends," Ugarte said in a statement. "But if you drink and drive over the legal limit, know this: you will be stopped, and you will go to jail. My priority is to protect lives and keep our roads safe." The holiday weekend operation — officially promoted as "Sheriff Ugarte's Safe Streets Operation" — includes the El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, Anthony (Texas) and Clint police departments, county constables, Texas state troopers and the San Elizario Marshal's Office. As part of the operation, sheriff's deputies will "maintain a high-visibility presence" to help prevent off-roading crashes and other trouble at the popular Red Sands desert off Montana Avenue, east of the El Paso city limits. The Montana Vista area east of the El Paso limits annually draws hundreds of revelers for Independence Day because fireworks are banned in El Paso but legal outside city limits. El Paso County Commissioners Court this year voted to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks classified as 'skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins" in unincorporated areas of the county to help prevent wildfires, the Sheriff's Office said in a news statement. Other types of fireworks can still be sold. The city of El Paso reminds residents that it is illegal to use, sell and possess fireworks within the city limits, stated a city news release issued on June 26. Violations can result in a Class C Misdemeanor citation, with fines typically about $191 and up to $500 depending on a judge's decision, the city stated. Illegal fireworks can also be investigated as criminal mischief or arson, if there are damages. Law enforcement will keep watch for illegal fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. Fireworks can pose a fire danger as well as causing distress to neighbors and pets, and can be a trauma reminder for veterans coping with PTSD. "Fireworks can cause devastating harm — from severe burns and loss of fingers to structure fires that threaten entire neighborhoods," El Paso Fire Chief Jonathan Killings said in a statement. "We've seen how quickly a single spark can lead to tragedy. Please don't risk your safety, your property, or your neighbors' lives. Leave fireworks to the professionals." Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Fourth of July: Sheriff launches 'Safe Streets Operation'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
El Paso County Sheriff's Office cracks down on DWI during July Fourth holiday
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSCO) conducted a County-wide crackdown on drunk driving Friday night during 4th of July celebrations. The 'Safe Streets Operation' entailed the deployment of over 150 deputies across the County as part of their DWI task force. 'A lot of people go out and celebrate the 4th of July. They have some drinks, some people a little bit too much, and we're pretty much trying to bring down the number of intoxicated drivers on the road. We want to make sure everyone's celebrating, having fun, but in a safe manner,' Deputy Christopher Medina said during a ride-along with KTSM. Just over 100 of the deployed deputies were assigned to patrol in far East El Paso, along Montana Avenue and into Red Sands, where Friday night's enforcement efforts were focused. Medina said that area has become a hotspot for drunk driving and violence on 4th of July. 'Pretty much our main goal out here is to make sure everybody knows we're out here, making sure everybody's acting accordingly, nobody's intoxicated from what we can observe, that they're not endangering themselves,' Medina said. The Sheriff's Office had a command post stationed inside Red Sands and deployed multiple deputies to patrol in the dunes, using ATV units. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said that was the first time multiple deputies were deployed into the Red Sands' dunes during 4th of July celebrations. EPCSO were assisted by multiple other law-enforcement agencies and fire departments. EPCSO officials reported that there were no shootings, no fatalities, and over 15 DWI arrests Friday night. The EPCSO's DWI operations will continue throughout the weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
'We're just getting started.' El Paso County sheriff rolls out new DWI Task Force
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office's new DWI Task Force will continue operations at various times of the year after rolling out and netting 36 arrests on Easter weekend, Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. While campaigning for sheriff last year, drunken driving was one of the most common concerns mentioned by voters, said Ugarte, who took office on Jan. 1. The sheriff's new task force leverages the assistance of other law enforcement agencies to tackle the problem of driving while intoxicated. Crime: El Paso police arrest 2 drivers suspected in wheelchair, scooter hit-and-run collisions "This task force reflects what we can achieve when local law enforcement agencies unite behind a common goal —keeping our residents safe," Ugarte said in a statement. "The community asked us to act on DWIs, and we listened," Ugarte said. "These arrests send a clear message: if you drive impaired in El Paso County, you will be held accountable. We're just getting started." The new DWI Task Force is comprised of sheriff's deputies, county constables and Horizon City police officers working overtime. Its first operation took place on Friday and Saturday, April 18-19. The task force arrested 25 men and 11 women, ranging in age from 17 to 52 years old, stated Sheriff's Office information. Thirty drivers face DWI charges, with the remainder arrested on charges including drug possession, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and the arrest of one fugitive from Arizona. More: 'Outrageous': Judge denies bond reduction for Fort Bliss soldier charged in fatal crash Ugarte added that he plans on asking county commissioners for funding for a full-time, permanent county DWI Task Force. The El Paso Police Department has its own permanent DWI Task Force funded in part by state grants. The DWI Task Force is part of the new sheriff's focus on community concerns, including driver's license and auto insurance street checkpoints and cracking down on illegal dumping in the desert. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County sheriff launches new DWI Task Force
