McALLEN, Texas – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was arrested and charged with accepting a bribe and for exceeding his authorized access to gain information from a government computer, the U.S. attorney for this region announced Thursday morning.

Julio Trujillo, 30, of Mission was charged with accepting $3,600 for agreeing to extend one person’s visa and helping another person obtain a visa, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson said in a news release.

Trujillo was taken into custody by federal officials Thursday morning and is scheduled to make an initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate Friday morning, the release said.

Trujillo is alleged to  have exceeded his authority and looked up information about one person on protected government computers, which is illegal, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.

If convicted of the bribery charge, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison, the release said. The exceeding access to a government computer carries a possible penalty of five years, if convicted. Both charges also carry the possibility of a fine up to $250,000, the release said.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, and CBP – Internal Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roberto Lopez Jr. and David Lindenmuth are prosecuting the case.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — After 30 years on the job, Assistant Fire Chief Juan Loya has hung up his fire hat for good.

It was a heartfelt moment for Loya and city officials at the last City Council meeting. Loya accepted an award of appreciation from Mayor Bharat Patel on behalf of the city and Council for all of his hard work and dedicated service to South Padre Island.

“He’s just a great guy, and did a great service for the city,” Patel said.

Loya was there for almost every emergency.

He was one of the first responders when the causeway collapsed in 2001 and he was on duty for many other accidents doing his job the best he could.

“He’s a very outstanding, honest man and I wish him well in his retirement.” Patel said. “He’s always been good, and we’re not happy to see him go, but everybody has to retire at some time.”

In his street cloths at the city meeting, it was difficult to recognize Loya. He wasn’t in his traditional blues — as he always had been as the assistant fire chief over the years.

He was very low key at the meeting, but that has been his character throughout his career and it lasted to the very end.

He hugged and kissed his wife before he went up to receive he recognition and award from the city.

“He’s just a stand-up guy,” Patel said. “He just hit it hard every day.”

Loya suited up every day because being a fireman was his calling in life. He knew at a young age he wanted to be a firefighter because his father was one.

Loya continued the line of family firefighters. And the proud legacy his father started continues as Loya’s son and nephews also are firefighters at other departments around the Rio Grande Valley.

At the meeting, the Island C-Shift firemen we’re in attendance to see Loya off to retirement. They made sure they got a photo with their leader before he left City Hall.

Loya was given long applause for all the hard work he did for so long.

“I feel great retiring from South Padre Island as a firefighter where I started 30 years ago,” Loya said. “I am grateful to the city of South Padre Island for all the support they gave me.”

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — City leaders are planning for the future to attract more tourists with more fun for everyone.

The council is working on adding new amenities to the island to attract more visitors and to extend their stay.

Mayor Bharap R. Patel held the state of the city address Wednesday night before a regular city council meeting.

Patel talked about the financial condition of the city and a new city park in the works.

Planning also is in the works to improve the bay side of the island.

And there are plans for a large amphitheater to host concerts.

In his address Patel reported the city has received the highest form of recognition for governmental reporting of finances and has a 6-month reserve and a balanced budget.

Patel also said in his address hotel tax revenue is up $50,000.

The city has collected $420,000 in sales tax and $4.2 million in property tax collections.

The mayor also said the city is moving toward a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

“The city is becoming proactively biker friendly and pedestrian friendly,” Patel said.

The city also has plans to make a new park with a soccer field, basketball court and skate park.

“We want kids to get out in the open,” Patel said. “Don’t just bring your flip-flops here, but bring your bicycle, bring your skateboard here, bring your basketball and really have a fun couple of days at South Padre.”

Patel said South Padre is a great place to live and do business.

“We will have everything in walking distance and we offer free transportation,” Patel said about the direction the city is heading. “You don’t need a car in South Padre Island.”

Most of the grant applications the city is applying for have to do with walking lanes, nature walks and bicycle lanes.

“We have made a lot of progress over the last two or three years,” said Sam Listi, former council member. “The Island is in very good shape for the future.”

Despite a rumor to the contrary, Port Isabel football coach Monty Stumbaugh isn’t leaving.

The Tarpons coach was irritated about a tweet posted Wednesday from EJ Holland that said the long-time coach and the school were in the process of parting ways.

“I’m still there, my contract is still the same,” Stumbaugh said. “My contract ends in June 2017. It’s mine until then.”

Every January, the Port Isabel Independent School District reviews all contracts within the district for coaches, teachers and everyone in between.

Stumbaugh said his contract was reviewed as it is every year at this time.

“They took a look at it. If they didn’t take any action, it continues,” he said after dealing with a similar situation in 2011. “Next January it will come up and they will renew it or not.”

Stumbaugh wanted to quell the rumors that he was on his way out.

“I got a job, and that’s all I know,” he said. “I haven’t parted ways as EJ said. I’m still at Port Isabel. I’m still the AD and head football coach.”

Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.

For more on this story, visit RGVSports.com.

HARLINGEN – For Valley residents looking for options to lose weight during the new year, Valley Baptist Medical Center holds free “Introduction to Medical & Surgical Weight Loss Options” patient information seminars in Harlingen on the first and second Tuesdays of the month.

Upcoming dates for these free seminars include next Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Valley Baptist’s Woodward Conference Center, 2101 Pease Street (located on the first floor of the hospital, through the “South Tower” entrance); and on Tuesday, Feb. 9, also from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Boggus Education Pavilion (located across the street from the Valley Baptist Emergency Room).

Dawn Rodriguez, RN, BSN, CBN, Director of the Medical and Surgical Weight Loss Program at Valley Baptist Medical Center, said the seminars can help Valley residents to learn more about ways to reduce weight and to pursue a healthier life “with the people and activities you love, and with the confidence you deserve.”

In addition to being a surgical nurse, Ms. Rodriguez has gone through bariatric surgery herself – and so can personally understand the concerns of weight loss patients.

Along with exploring medical and surgical weight loss options, Ms. Rodriguez, along with Olivia Zamora, Registered Dietitian/Licensed Dietitian with the Valley Baptist Medical and Surgical Weight Loss Program, share a wealth of information about healthier eating and pursuing a healthier lifestyle with their patients.

“We help the patients to make the lifestyle choices that can help enable them to take the weight off and keep it off,” Ms. Zamora said.

“I really encourage them to monitor what they’re consuming. We look at what we need to change in order to make it easier for them to lose weight.”

Using certain mobile phone apps can also help people keep track of what they’re eating, in order to better monitor their progress in reducing their “portion sizes,” Ms. Zamora added.

During a recent presentation at Valley Baptist, it was noted that portion sizes have actually increased over the years at many fast food restaurants – even though many people are less active than they were in past years. Obesity has become a major concern in the Valley and across the country, often being associated with other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

In addition to dieting, treatments for obesity include exercise, medication, behavior changes, and in some cases, bariatric surgery.

During a “gastric bypass” surgery, the surgeon creates a new and smaller “pouch” in the patient’s stomach.

The new pouch can only hold a small amount of food, which results in the patient feeling “full” sooner and therefore eating less, Ms. Rodriguez said.

In addition, the surgeon connects the new pouch to a part of the small intestine farther down in the intestinal tract, which reduces the amount of calories that the patient absorbs.

This “malabsorption” of calories also results in the patient losing more weight.

Another surgical option for weight-loss surgery is the “sleeve gastrectomy,” during which the surgeon removes the majority of the stomach, turning the remainder of the stomach into a narrow “sleeve.”

With this method, patients may lose weight because of “gastric restriction” and decreased hunger due to changes in hormone levels related to hunger.

Regardless of the type of weight loss surgery, Ms. Rodriguez said a patient must be committed and motivated to pursue a healthier lifestyle in order to achieve and maintain success in meeting their weight loss goals.

For more information about medical and surgical weight loss options, contact your physician and Ms. Rodriguez at (956) 389-6896 or by e-mail at [email protected]; and visit www.ValleyBaptist.net/medical-services/surgical-and-medical-weight-loss.

For information or to RSVP for an upcoming bariatric surgery seminar, please call 1-888-902-5433.

HARLINGEN – One in every four deaths is linked to heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease affecting Americans right now. More than 700,000 Americans will have a heart attack this year alone.

The most important defense against this disease is education and knowing when you need to act.

Harlingen Medical Center, a leader in cardiovascular care, in conjunction with National Heart Month (February), will devote a month-long series of its Doc Talk Lectures to some of the most important medical topics related to your heart – starting Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., in the Harlingen Medical Center Medical Office Building (MOB) Conference Room, and it is open to the public.

“Heart disease can affect just about anyone. That includes adults and children,” said Linda Bull, Director of The Catheterization Laboratory at Harlingen Medical Center. “Heart disease knows no limits essentially because this is a condition that develops in the arteries. A substance called plaque builds up in the arteries and over time it can narrow an artery causing a reduction in the blood flow to the heart, which can lead to a heart attack.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, symptoms of heart disease vary depending on the type of disease, which may include chest discomfort or a heart attack. Someone having a heart attack may experience several symptoms, including:

– Chest pain of discomfort that doesn’t go away within a few minutes.

– Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.

– Weakness, light-headedness, nausea, or a cold sweat.

– Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder.

– Shortness of breath.

Heart disease can be managed and even prevented, declares the CDC. It’s all matter of knowing what you need to do – to keep the disease away.

The CDC summarizes that if you smoke, consume unhealthy food, and do not exercise (physical activity) – your chances of developing heart disease increase. But, if you do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, you are less likely to develop the disease.

Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions that include: coronary artery disease, malfunction of valves in the heart, the inability of the heart to pump correctly, and abnormal heart rhythms. And, this February, specialty physicians (cardiologist and electrophysiologist) from Harlingen Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Center will host heart-related educational lectures.

The first Doc Talk Lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, February 3rd, will feature one of the most experienced cardiologists in the region, Dr. Shereef Hilmy. His lecture, titled “Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm” will define what this condition is, how you can identify it ahead of a serious medical issue, and how it can be treated.

The second Doc Talk Lecture, scheduled for Thursday, February 11th, will feature a well sought after cardiologist, Dr. Eduardo Flores. His lecture will spotlight the usage and need for the world’s smallest heart pump, the “Impella® 2.5 Catheter.” The Impella® 2.5 Catheter is a blood pump that creates a vortex inside the heart chamber by moving blood from the heart and out to the rest of the body. His lecture will clarify how this tiny pump is helping patients survive needed surgery.

The third Doc Talk Lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, February 17th, will feature the only, highly-experienced, electrophysiologist in Cameron County, Dr. Frank Mazzola.

His lecture, titled “Abnormal Heart Rhythms” will define what this condition is, how you can identify it in advance of a serious medical issue, and the treatment options available, right here, at Harlingen Medical Center.

The last and fourth Doc Talk Lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, February 24th, will feature Dr. Juan Villarreal, a Harlingen dentist and Partner-In-Care to Harlingen Medical Center. His lecture will make the connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy heart, including how a dental appliance can help prevent sleep apnea.

Heart disease, generally, may be diagnosed in your primary care physician’s office, according to the CDC.

Your family physician can perform a chest X-ray, coronary angiogram, electrocardiogram (EKG), and exercise stress test. But, you must discuss, with your physician, which test is right for you.

The Cardiovascular Center at Harlingen Medical Center offers progressive treatments for cardiovascular disease.

The award-winning and nationally recognized hospital specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac patients. It features a top-ranked heart team, which includes cardiologists, an electrophysiologist, and cardiothoracic surgeons, that provides minimally-invasive diagnostic testing and treatment, as well as advanced cardiac and vascular interventions, such as angioplasty, stenting, cardiac ablation, open heart surgery, minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement, and coronary artery bypass graft.

BROWNSVILLE — Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre Jr. has been named in a 23-count indictment that charges him with bribery, abuse of official capacity, official oppression and engaging in organized criminal activity.

A Cameron County grand jury returned indictments Wednesday against Yzaguirre, Jose Mireles, Pedro Garza and Omar Sanchez Paz, who are also employed at the county tax office.

Yzaguirre was indicted on 10 counts of bribery, 11 counts of abuse of official capacity, one count of official oppression and one count of engaging in organized criminal activity.

Mireles and Garza were indicted on two counts of bribery and one count of official oppression and one count of engaging in organized criminal activity.

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Omar Sanchez Paz was indicted on charges of abuse of official capacity and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Robert Garza, Yzaguirre’s defense attorney, said he was not surprised by the indictments.

“We kind of anticipated if anything because they are arguing about all this criminal activity taking place and everything else,” Garza said.

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BROWNSVILLE — As an intern with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research, Leticia Contreras gained valuable experience in October while collecting sediment samples and wading through estuarine reserves in North Carolina.

It was all in the name of research. And for Contreras, it was a great experience.

As a biology graduate student at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, she loves working in the field.

Sometimes that means spending long hours outdoors, generally in heat and humidity and surrounded by water.

“It was a busy and productive month,” Contreras said. “One of my responsibilities was to assist scientists and technicians at the CCFHR with an ongoing study of salt marsh carbon sequestration rates.”

Her NOAA mentor, Dr. Carolyn Currin, and her team of scientists trained Contreras to use some of their equipment, including a greenhouse gas analyzer to measure CO2 evolution in decomposing black mangrove litter.

“This experience enhanced my understanding and supports my master’s thesis – testing several hypotheses about factors influencing the rate of mangrove leaf litter decomposition,” Contreras said.

As she finishes her thesis, Contreras continues to collect leaves from mangrove trees in the Lower Laguna Madre.

In the laboratory, she compares the leaves’ decomposition process under varying salinity, temperature, nitrogen availability and water turbulence.

Contreras hopes her time spent at the fisheries and conducting research will help open a door to employment with NOAA after completing her master’s degree in December 2016.

“This is the work I want to do,” she said. “With my area of interest and research, I see myself living and working along the southeastern Atlantic Coast or the Gulf Coast.”

HARLINGEN – With child exploitation cases increasing by more than 700 percent in South Texas since 2003, federal and local law enforcement officials yesterday announced a new task force to ramp up their fight against sexual predators.

The new partnership with local law enforcement in the Valley will pool resources to better investigate crimes committed against children, officials said. It will be called the Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force, or RGV CEITF.

Task force members include U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S attorney’s office, Cameron County district attorney’s office, the Harlingen and Brownsville police departments, the Cameron County sheriff’s office and the Brownsville Independent School District Police Department.

“We stand 100 percent behind this task force,” said Hector Leal, deputy chief of the Harlingen Police Department.

The formation of the task force is a continuation of the ICE initiative called Operation Predator, which went into effect in 2003. Since then, federal officials say, complaints to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are rising “at an alarming level.”

In the San Antonio field office area of responsibility, which includes the Rio Grande Valley, the number of child exploitation cases has reached an all-time high.

In 2003, Homeland Security Investigations initiated 12 child exploitation cases that resulted in eight arrests. The number of new cases initiated by HSI in 2015 rose to 100 cases. Those cases led to 53 criminal arrests for child exploitation.

“The major component of this effort will be a force-multiplier effect, increasing our collaboration and our communication and the sharing of our resources and capabilities,” said Kevin Benson, assistant special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations in Brownsville.

Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz said the agencies involved in the new task force already share information on child exploitation. But he said the new partnership is an acknowledgement that the culture we now live in also has changed.

“Growing up, as many of you all did from a large family, back in the 50s and 60s, I remember my mom would gather all the kids about 5, 7 or 8 o’clock at night and she’d bring us in the house. And I remember her locking the front door, and at that point she felt, “OK, I’ve got my kids safe in my house. The front door is locked.’”

Saenz continued.

“These days as you know, when that happens, the kids go into the bedroom and close the door, and with this right here, the perpetrator’s in our bedroom,” he said. “So this is a very, very good tool to attack the predator that’s coming into the house, into the bedroom, where even when the parents are there, they can’t protect them anymore.”

The new task force will focus some of its efforts on policing child exploitation on the Internet as well.

Homeland Security Investigations is one of the founding members of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry partners that work together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.