Federal Grand Jury Indicts Maverick County Solid Waste Authority General Manager in Embezzlement Scheme

In Del Rio this morning, former Maverick County Solid Waste Authority general manager and chief executive officer of the Maverick County landfill Hector Chavez, Jr. surrendered to the Texas Rangers in connection with an alleged embezzlement scheme, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

A federal grand jury indictment, returned yesterday and unsealed today, charges the 42-year-old Chavez with one count each of possessing forged securities and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. According to the indictment, from March 9, 2012 to December 28, 2012, Chavez possessed forged Maverick County checks, which he drafted himself, totaling $62,179.18 made out to Chavez and others. The indictment further alleges that all the checks were subsequently cashed and that Chavez collected all of the proceeds.

Upon conviction, Chavez faces up to 10 years in federal prison per charge.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers Division. 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 this case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.