Why It Matters
A sitting Texas sheriff is now fighting both federal criminal charges and a formal effort to remove him from office, raising questions about law enforcement leadership in Webb County — a border county that serves as a critical point along the U.S.-Mexico corridor near Laredo.
What Happened
Former Laredo City Council member Alfonso “Poncho” Casso filed a petition in Webb County district court last week seeking to remove Sheriff Martin Cuellar from office. The filing asks the court to suspend Cuellar pending a trial that could permanently strip him of the position he has held for five terms.
Cuellar was indicted on federal fraud charges unsealed in January, to which he has pleaded not guilty. In response to Casso’s removal petition, Cuellar denied all allegations and demanded strict proof of the claims against him, according to court filings.
By the Numbers
- 5 — counts in the federal indictment against Cuellar
- $500,000 — value of a school-cleaning contract allegedly completed using county employees and supplies
- $175,000 — amount Cuellar allegedly received and used to purchase local property
- Up to 20 years — maximum combined federal prison exposure if convicted on all charges
- 5 — terms Cuellar has served as Webb County Sheriff
The Indictment
Federal prosecutors allege that Cuellar, along with two other individuals, misappropriated resources from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group allegedly launched a private disinfecting company in April 2020 that operated largely on the county’s dime — using public employees and government-owned supplies to fulfill a lucrative school-cleaning contract in Laredo.
Cuellar’s former deputy, Rick Rodriguez, who was also involved in the enterprise, has already entered a guilty plea in connection with the scheme.
The removal petition goes beyond the indictment itself, also alleging mismanagement of the county jail and violations of state whistleblower protections, election law, and procurement regulations. “He has been compromised and has no credibility managing the Webb County Sheriff’s Office or County Jail,” the petition states.
Zoom Out
The case carries additional political weight given Cuellar’s family ties. He is the brother of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, the Laredo Democrat who faced his own federal indictment in May 2024 on bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy charges linked to relationships with a foreign energy company and a Mexican bank. President Donald Trump pardoned the congressman in December, though he later publicly criticized him after Rep. Cuellar announced a run for a twelfth term as a Democrat.
The Cuellar cases reflect a broader pattern of scrutiny on local officials in border counties, where federal oversight intersects with local law enforcement in complex ways. Separately, Texas has drawn national attention recently for issues ranging from pending capital punishment cases to federal investigations into school district practices.
What’s Next
The removal case will now proceed in Webb County district court, where a judge must determine whether to suspend Cuellar while the matter is litigated. A separate federal criminal trial on the fraud charges remains pending. If convicted on all counts, Cuellar could face up to two decades in prison.