U.S. Marshal’s Service to house Streamline defendants at Val Verde County Detention Center

By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Commissioners Court’s decision for Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber to manage the Maverick County Detention Center after the withdrawal of The Geo Group, Inc. as the manager of the local 625 bed prison facility suffered a minor setback as the U.S. Department of Justice Marshal’s Service decided to house the Operation Streamline undocumented alien defendants at the Val Verde County Detention Center instead of the Maverick County Detention Center effective 12:01 A.M., Friday, October 25, 2013.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service Deputy Marshal Mario Pelayo in Del Rio, Texas told the Eagle Pass Business Journal that they are continuing with using Maverick County Detention Center as a facility for housing pre-trial detainees or Operation Streamline defendants depending on the prisoner population at the various facilities they contract with. Pelayo stated that Maverick County Detention Center plays a vital role in housing defendants for the U.S. Marshal’s Service, particularly during peak seasons of apprehension of undocumented aliens by U.S. Border Patrol.

Starting on Friday, October 25th, undocumented aliens apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol under Operation Streamline will be housed at the Val Verde County Detention Center and depending on the prisoner population at the Val Verde County Detention Center, the undocumented aliens may be housed at other detention centers including the Maverick County Detention Center.

Maverick County Commissioners Court decision on October 21st to operate the Maverick County Detention Center was based on Maverick County being able to continue housing the U.S. Marshal’s Service Operation Streamline defendants and other pre-trial detainees.

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber told the Eagle Pass Business Journal that the Maverick County Detention Center will continue to work with the U.S. Marshal’s Service in housing their pre-trial detainees and/or Operation Streamline defendants. Sheriff Schmerber stated that he has been in contact with U.S. Deputy Marshal Mario Pelayo and both agencies have agreed to continue working together in the housing of federal defendants at the Maverick County Detention Center.