Former Maverick County Solid Waste Authority General Manager Hector Chavez and Maverick County Contractor Jose Telles Enter Guilty Pleas

Former Maverick County Solid Waste Authority general manager and chief executive officer of the Maverick County landfill Hector Chavez, Jr. faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution to the county after pleading guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victor Garcia this morning in Del Rio, Chavez admitted that from March 9, 2012 to December 28, 2012, he pocketed over $62,000 in forged Maverick County checks he drafted himself.

Also this morning before Judge Garcia, general contractor Jose Telles, Jr., of Eagle Pass, Texas, pleaded guilty to paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. As a result of his plea, Telles faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. By pleading guilty, Telles admitted that in 2010, he paid a $5,000 bribe to a Maverick County commissioner after being awarded an approximate $30,000 construction contract with Maverick County.

Telles is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Alia Moses in Del Rio; Chavez, September 17, 2013, before U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra in Del Rio.

To date, 12 individuals have pleaded guilty to federal charges and await sentencing in connection with this investigation. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Individuals who have first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Maverick County are urged to contact the FBI at (210) 225-6741. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Galdo is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.