Donna police say they found nearly 100 generic Xanax pills and more than two dozen pills used to treat erectile dysfunction in the truck of an off-duty, now former Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office investigator they charged with driving while intoxicated.
In addition, 44-year-old Palmhurst resident Roberto Roel Rivera was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a dangerous drug.
Donna police arrested Rivera at about 8:21 p.m. Monday in the 1900 block of Lissner Avenue after responding to a report of a vehicle traveling on a bare rim.
“Although not confirmed, Officers believe that the vehicle had been involved in a motor vehicle crash. Furthermore, officers learned that Rivera was an off-duty investigator with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department, and the vehicle he had been operating was a department issued vehicle,” police said in a news release.
Responding officers say they found Rivera standing next to his vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado that was stationary with its hazard lights in a parking lot near the intersection of South and Lissner Avenues, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Police say they immediately observed several signs of intoxication and allege that Rivera admitted to consuming several alcoholic beverages.
The affidavit said Rivera declined to perform field sobriety and Breathalyzer tests.
“Officer Orlando Vera will testify that at that moment he placed defendant under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated and placed him in handcuffs,” the affidavit stated.
Donna police then say they found drugs in Rivera’s truck.
“Officer A.J. Arevalo will testify that he located a bottle on the driver side door with a label of Hydrochlorothiazide 50MG but containing Alprazolam (Xanax) pills inside. Officer A.J. Arevalo will also testify that on the passenger floorboard were located multiple boxes containing a dangerous drug identified as Mazzogran Sildenafil 100mg,” the affidavit stated.
Mazzogran Sildenafil is manufactured in Mexico.
After his arrest, Donna police transported Rivera to DHR Health to execute a search warrant on his blood.
Police said they recovered 98 Alprazolam pills and 30 Mazzogran Sildenafil pills.
Donna charged Rivera with possession of a controlled substance for the Alprazolam and possession of a dangerous drug for the Mazzogran Sildenafil.
Jail records show that Rivera was previously arrested by the Palmhurst Police Department on June 15, 2019, and charged with assault peace officer/judge but was no-billed on Oct. 29, 2019.
In a statement, Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said he learned of Rivera’s arrest Monday and immediately fired him.
“I am committed to preserving the public’s confidence and trust in the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to investigate any and all allegations of employee misconduct, and I will take the necessary and appropriate actions to maintain accountability and transparency to you, the citizens we serve,” Guerra said.
Rivera was booked into the Hidalgo County Detention Center on Tuesday and bailed out that same day on a total of $25,000 in personal recognizance bonds.
