Arrests Made in Connection with Smuggling Contraband into Cameron County Detention Center

On Friday, January 12, 2024, at around 5:01 pm, Cameron County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of Prohibited Substance and Items in a Correctional Facility at Detention Center 1 (DC1), located at 1145 Harrison, Brownsville, Texas. Upon arrival, deputies were informed by jail staff that a gray bag had been discovered on the roof of Detention Center 1. The bag contained a black cell phone, a phone charger, five bags with several ounces of marijuana, a clear plastic cartridge containing suspected THC vape pens, and two black lighters.

Sheriff’s Investigators obtained video surveillance from the Detention Center, revealing a gray Buick Enclave parked next to the facility. A male subject was seen exiting the vehicle, tossing the bag over the wall into the Detention Center, and quickly returning to the vehicle before leaving the scene.

Through their investigation, Sheriff’s Investigators identified the vehicle owner as Humberto Rodriguez De Leon. Further inquiries revealed that Humberto Rodriguez De Leon, along with Nivia Marie Garza, and two current inmates, Juan Ricardo Corona and Michael Molina, had planned and executed the introduction of prohibited substances and items into Detention Center 1.

Warrants of arrest were obtained for the offenses of TPC 38.11 Prohibited Substance/Items in a Correctional Facility (a 3rd-degree felony) and TPC 71.02 Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (a 2nd-degree felony). On Thursday, January 25, 2024, Humberto Rodriguez De Leon was taken into custody and transported to the Carrizales/Rucker Detention Center, where he was booked for the warrants.

On Friday, January 26, 2024, Sheriff Investigators served Michael Molina and Juan Ricardo Corona with their respective warrants at the Carrizales/Rucker Detention Center. Both are pending arraignment. On the same day, at approximately 4:00 pm, Nivia Marie Garza was arrested in Harlingen and transported to the Carrizales/Rucker Detention Center, awaiting arraignment.