Eagle Pass businessman indicted in connection with Maverick County bribery, kickback, and bid-rigging scheme

In Eagle Pass last night, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents along with Texas Department Public Safety investigators arrested 52-year-old Salvador Castillon, owner of South Texas Concrete based in Eagle Pass, in connection with an alleged bribery, kickback and bid-rigging scheme announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

A federal grand jury indictment, returned yesterday and unsealed this morning, charges Castillon with two counts of paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. According to the indictment, Castillon was awarded Maverick County construction contracts totaling $416,800 in 2010 and $148,000 in 2011. The indictment alleges that in exchange for each Maverick County construction contract he was awarded, Castillon agreed to pay a Maverick County commissioner between $3,000 and $5,000.

Upon conviction, Castillon faces up to ten years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine per count. Castillon appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Collis White in Del Rio this morning for his initial appearance.

Judge White ordered that Castillon remain in custody pending the outcome of a detention hearing scheduled for 9:00am on Monday, June 17, 2013.

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 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.