Former Eagle Pass Department of Public Works employee sentenced for role in city credit card fraud scheme

This morning, May 15, 2013, former City of Eagle Pass Department of Public Works employee Edgar Aguilar was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $68,373.87 in restitution for his role in a credit card fraud scheme involving the City of Eagle Pass announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

On November 29, 2012, Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit credit card fraud. By pleading guilty, Aguilar admitted that during 2011, he obtained five City of Eagle Pass-owned “Fuelman” credit cards designated for fuel purchases for Public Works department vehicles and distributed them to his co-defendants. The defendants then used those cards to purchase fuel for their own vehicles and to purchase fuel for others at the City’s expense. In some instances, defendants charged individuals a reduced rate for fuel purchased using the City’s credit card, and then pocketed the cash.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu testified at the sentencing hearing and stated, “Today I come before you as the Mayor of Eagle Pass and in representation of the citizens of our city. When I first learned about this incident, I was angry, but most of all, I was disappointed. I was angry that someone would have the audacity to commit such an act, but I was disappointed that someone from our organization could not meet such a basic standard of humanity,” Cantu said.

“As public servants we know about the essential trust that exists between us and the community we serve. This is an obligation we understand and that is expected of all the employees of the City of Eagle Pass. But because of the actions of Mr. Aguilar this trust has been violated. The truth is, this was not a one time issue. This was no slip in moral judgment. This was a blatant disregard of the fiduciary responsibility that we, as the City of Eagle Pass, have committed to. This was knowingly and repeatedly stealing from the pockets of our hardworking residents,” Cantu added.

“This image of our employees, our organization, and our community has been tarnished. We cannot put a dollar amount on this, but we do ask that the citizens of the City of Eagle Pass be paid in full and that Mr. Aguilar be punished for his crime to the fullest extent of the law,” Cantu concluded.

Co-defendants Rene Castillo, Armando Ojeda Nuncio, and Ricardo Hernandez-Espinoza have all pleaded guilty to use of unauthorized access device. Elizabeth Vivian has pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. All four are awaiting sentencing.

This joint investigation was conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with investigators from the Eagle Pass Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tad Duree is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.