Author: KVIA

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thirteen people face federal charges in El Paso for allegedly transporting stolen vehicles from the U.S. to Mexico, U.S Attorney Justin Simmons announced Monday.

Monday, Simmons hosted a press conference at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in El Paso to announce the charges. Officials from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and other federal agencies attended. Together, the agencies united as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).

The HSTF started this spring after federal agencies and prosecutors noticed a trend of stolen private and rental vehicles allegedly being transported to criminal organizations in Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said the stolen vehicles were driven to El Paso and delivered across the border to Mexico.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the investigation led to the recovery of 29 vehicles, valued at $1,137,000.

During the investigation, authorities indicted two U.S. citizens: Kimberly Aguilar and Marty Gerardo Jr. Both are in state custody, officials said.

Eleven others have been federally indicted and arrested 11 others, nine who are U.S. citizens:

David Monarrez Cesar David Diaz Sinuhe Baltizar Lopez Christopher Rene Reyes Angel Antonio Flores Aaron Fernando Luna-Evans Amy Foote James Dewey Garrett Hilario Abraham Morales

The remaining two are Mexican citizens, according to officials:

Pablo Frias Pilar Bernabeth Mendez Rivas

Watch a recording of the HSTF’s press conference in El Paso above.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) —  The El Paso County Commissioners Court is expected to tackle financial decisions regarding the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office on Monday. However, commissioners voted to cancel the item.

Commissioners were set to consider balancing a multi-million-dollar operating deficit, technology acquisition requests and grant applications.

Financial presentations on the agenda show that the Sheriff’s Office’s salary and benefits budget reached 108% usage as of Oct. 14, driven primarily by staffing shortages and mandatory overtime required to staff county detention facilities.

County budget and finance staff are expected to present an updated plan to resolve the deficit as commissioners review both the FY 2026 and FY 2027 department budgets.

Despite the operational shortfall, the Commissioners Court will also consider several major expenditure items and multi-year funding requests:

More than $17 million in safety and communications technology: Commissioners may consider approving a $5,178,467 contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for body cameras and safety technology, as well as an estimated $11,999,495 system contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for sheriff and constable operations. DOJ grant applications: The Sheriff’s Office is seeking authorization to apply for a $500,000 federal DOJ ANGEL grant and a $337,720 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant, which would require a $168,860 local county match. Routine budget amendments: Two internal budget transfers are on the table to reallocate existing funds: $22,323 to cover Sheriff’s Department medical expenses for FY26, and $8,515 to cover courthouse security overtime during elections for FY27. Neither amendment increases the county’s overall budget.

The sheriff’s office told ABC-7 it’s evaluating staffing assignments and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.

“Our focus is making responsible financial decisions without compromising safety,” the sheriff’s office said.

County Commissioner Iliana Holguin said she’s optimistic the deficit will level out. Commissioners are considering bringing in a third-party consultant to help with the deficit.

The county said it plans to present and address the deficit on Nov. 30.

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Armando Ramirez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) says 48-year-old Kelli Pinnock is facing 5 charges of animal cruelty after officials found 72 exotic animals being transported in inhumane conditions.

According to officials, on October 22, 2026, around 7:30 p.m., El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies performed a traffic stop along I-10 East near mile marker 48.

When deputies spoke with the driver of a black Chrysler Pacifica, later identified as Pinnock, they discovered 56 tortoises, two kinkajous, 11 hedgehogs, two guinea pigs, and one caracal, which is an exotic wild cat, inside the vehicle.

According to EPCSO, several animals were confined in overcrowded or undersized containers that restricted their movement. Deputies also observed accumulated feces and urine, inadequate ventilation, and a lack of accessible food and water.

Further investigation revealed Pinnock had traveled through multiple states while transporting the animals. Deputies also identified licensing violations and restrictions associated with a previous animal cruelty arrest in Florida. Federal wildlife authorities were contacted to determine whether additional violations had occurred.

Officials say all 72 animals were voluntarily surrendered and, with assistance from the El Paso County Animal Welfare Unit, safely transported to facilities equipped to provide appropriate care.

Pinnock was arrested and charged with five counts of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals. She was booked into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility with a total bond of $10,000.

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Mikey Tongko

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Floodwaters swept through a West El Paso neighborhood Saturday evening, leaving streets covered in debris and forcing residents to begin extensive cleanup efforts.

The flooding left mud and rocks scattered across local properties, with floodwaters reaching waist height as residents attempted to clear a drain in the neighborhood.

In response to the aftermath, neighbors came together to assist one another with clearing debris, sharing food and providing temporary shelter.

Luis Chaparro, a resident living in the impacted neighborhood, described the severe disruption to what would normally be a restful weekend.

“It should be a normal daily routine, a daily Sunday. But this just heartbreaking to see your street just covered like this, that you can’t even go out or can’t even enter. And instead of enjoying a good Sunday, you’re out here.” Chaparro said.

Jaylene Placencia, a resident, was working a nursing shift in nearby Las Cruces when she received word that her family had to be evacuated from their property. Placencia expressed her emotions to ABC-7 upon witnessing the flooding conditions, uncertain if she would have a home to return to.

“We built our house. We’ve lived here for three years. We saw it go from the ground up,” Placencia said.

While Placencia noted that her home appears to have sustained less damage than some neighboring houses, the entire block faces extensive recovery work.

To aid in the neighborhood recovery efforts, Placencia asked the surrounding community for donations of essential household items.

“If anybody can come donate any cleaning supplies, mops, rags, Pine-Sol, anything you can bring Clorox. It’ll be a great help,” Placencia said.

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Nina Gallegos

HUDSPETH COUNTY, Texas (KVIA) – ServerDome Global, the company behind the Hueco Ranch Data Center project, will hosted a community meeting Monday at the Hueco Ranch site.

Hudspeth County residents said they were shocked to learn about a hyperscale artificial intelligence-powered data center being built in the area, according to Sembrando Esperanza Coalition organizer Veronica Carbajal.

A map of where a new data center in Hudspeth County will be built.(Courtesy: Google Maps, KVIA)

“Seeing a data center be built in our rural community is devastating. The impact it will have on our wild life and plant life is irreplaceable especially when Hueco Tanks national park is right behind this data center. My ancestors hunted and foraged on these lands and for a data center to be built right on top of it is heart breaking,” said Jessica Macias, one of the leaders of the newly formed group of members of the Desert Haven Community in Hudspeth County. 

Residents said they’re worried the small infrastructure won’t withstand the data center’s needs.

Hudspeth County community members gather at ServerDome Global’s public meeting about its new data center.(Courtesy: KVIA)

Hudspeth County Judge Joanna MacKenzie said the data center is expected to bring 800 construction jobs that would take four to five years. After completion, an estimated 200-300 permanent jobs will be available

On Oct. 10, ServerDomes CEO David Keegan addressed county residents in a letter apologizing for the lack of notice about the data center.

“We will not hide behind gates, and you will always be treated with the respect you deserve,” Keegan wrote in the letter.

Keegan said the data center will stretch 2,00 acres on a privately-owned property. The project will consist of 10 buildings powered by a behind-the-meter gas solution that will have no impact on residents’ power costs.

Keegan also said the project will use minimal water. He also said the project’s team will attend the county commissioners court meeting Tuesday to answer questions about the project.

ServerDomes said it’s been working to repair roads after recent flooding in the area. Residents say the repairs won’t last.

“All the work they did on my road has gone. We have residents that are that are stuck right now out in the community because of the water and the water, but the growth that got washed down from the road repair,” said Paul Arteche.

ServerDomes said it’s committed to working with the community and keeping the roads operational.

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Nichole Gomez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA-TV) — The Salvation Army is inviting the community to lace up their running shoes and take part in the annual Red Kettle Run, an event aimed at raising support for programs that help individuals and families in need throughout the community.

Chris Stewart, a member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board, discussed the upcoming event and highlighted the organization’s mission of serving those facing difficult circumstances. Stewart shared his involvement with The Salvation Army and emphasized the importance of community engagement through fundraising efforts such as the Red Kettle Run.

The Red Kettle Run serves as both a community event and a fundraiser, helping support Salvation Army programs and services. According to the Salvation Army, this event gives participants an opportunity to support the organization’s work while promoting health and community involvement.

In addition to his work with The Salvation Army, Stewart also participates in community outreach activities involving animals through a private foundation. He described efforts to provide educational experiences for children facing challenges including autism, cancer, and bullying by allowing them to interact with animals in a safe and supportive environment.

The Salvation Army encourages residents to participate in the Red Kettle Run and support programs that provide assistance to those in need throughout the year.

For more information about The Salvation Army and the Red Kettle Run, community members can contact the organization directly or visit its official website. https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A murder-suicide that happened in Las Cruces Saturday is still under investigation, according to police.

The Las Cruces Police Department said that around 8:30 a.m., officers went to a home on Calle Libertad. The shooting happened at a home in a neighborhood off Elks Drive.

Police found a 30-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man dead. LCPD identified the woman as Angelica Aguirre and the man, her boyfriend, as Shane Perez.

LCPD said Perez shot Aguirre before shooting himself. Police said the couple had five children, ranging in age from 3-14. The children were in the home during the shooting.

New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department placed the children in temporary custody of a relative.

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Andrew J. Polk

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The multi-hundred million dollar Downtown Deck Plaza project could reshape the landscape of the heart of El Paso – if the funding can be figured out with some important deadlines in mind.

Recent major donations in the tens of millions have increased the total financial commitment to making it a reality.

But there are funding and design requirements that need to happen well before the deck breaks – or makes – ground.

So where do these efforts stand now, what will it take to reach the required milestones – and will it be worth it?

Sunday night on ABC-7 Xtra, join host Andrew J. Polk as he breaks down the fundraising totals now, what still remains, and how proponents justify the cost with Tracy Yellen, chair of the deck plaza foundation.

Tune in Sunday at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at 10.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 31-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft and deceptive business practices, the El Paso Police Department said.

EPPD’s Auto Theft Task Force arrested Saldana after receiving a report of a vehicle taken under the pretense of receiving mechanical repairs.

Isaah Crashawn Saldana allegedly admitted to selling a vehicle without the owner’s consent and stopped communication.

The Anthony Police Department helped EPPD remove the vehicle.

EPPD encouraged reporting similar incidents or unauthorized vehicle sales to the police (915-832-4400) or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

Saldana’s bond totaled $17,500.

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Nichole Gomez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a physician from the University Medical Center of El Paso is encouraging men to learn their risk factors and talk with their doctors about screening options.

Dr. Shailen Mhapsekar joined ABC-7 to discuss prostate cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men. Health experts say regular conversations with a healthcare provider can help determine when screenings may be appropriate, particularly for those with risk factors such as age or family history.

Dr. Mhapsekar emphasized prostate cancer awareness and educating the community about the importance of proactive healthcare. The discussion was held as part of ongoing efforts to inform the public about prevention, screening, and treatment options.

Medical professionals encourage individuals to seek guidance from their healthcare providers regarding recommended screenings and to report any concerning symptoms as early as possible.

For more information about prostate cancer services and resources, viewers can contact University Medical Center of El Paso. https://www.umcelpaso.org/

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