Weslaco police arrested Place 3 Donna City Councilman David Moreno, 54, just after 2 a.m. Wednesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Moreno was arrested after an officer who was on a routine patrol noticed a vehicle speeding along the city’s main drag.
“(A) Weslaco police officer was patrolling the businesses and residential neighborhoods along South Texas Boulevard when he conducted a traffic stop on a 2012 Silver Hyundai Azera for speeding,” Miguel Martinez, public information officer for Weslaco police, said via a statement Wednesday.
Moreno was allegedly driving 50 mph in a 30 mph zone before police pulled him over in the 1600 block of South Texas Boulevard.
Police say the councilman displayed signs of intoxication, including “red, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor or alcohol on his person and in the vehicle.”
Further, Moreno was unable to maintain his balance while officers administered a field sobriety test.
Moreno made an initial appearance before Weslaco Municipal Judge Samuel Sanchez Wednesday afternoon. He remains held on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
Reached for comment Wednesday afternoon, Donna Mayor Rick Morales said he was shocked at the news of Moreno’s arrest.
“I was not aware of this. I wish Mr. Moreno well,” Morales said.
Moreno was first elected to office in November 2020. He, along with Ricardo “Richie” Moreno — no relation — ran on a slate with the mayor in that election.
The two Morenos allied with the mayor in a race against his former running mates, Oscar Gonzales and Arturo “Art” Castillo.
Gonzales and Castillo had severed their political alliances with the mayor over what they said were failed campaign promises and fiscal mismanagement.
David Moreno was new to politics when he and Richie Moreno joined Morales on the ballot. Previously, he had spent more than three decades working for the Donna Independent School District. Currently, he serves as the director of the district’s CTE program.
