Few additional details have been released on what led to the arrest and indictment of former Cameron County Judge Pete Sepulveda Jr. this week in Brownsville.
According to the indictment filed against the longtime county employee, from around March 7 through March 11, 2016, Sepulveda is accused of abuse of official capacity by intentionally misusing Cameron County property, personnel, equipment and materials to pave Freddie Gomez Road in San Benito, benefiting an individual identified as Anita Weaver.
The indictment states the cost of the work and materials was estimated in value between $2,500 to $30,000. Freddie Gomez Road is a private road located off Military Highway in San Benito.
The indictment was unsealed Tuesday. It had been presented to a grand jury in December.
The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday declined to provide any further comments regarding the connection between Weaver and Sepulveda Jr., citing the ongoing investigation.
The misuse of government property and personnel in such a manner would be a violation of the former county judge’s fiduciary duty to the state of Texas and would constitute a theft of property by virtue of his status as a public servant, according to the indictment.
Sepulveda turned himself in to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday and waived his right to a reading of the indictment charges against him. According to court documents, his trial is scheduled to begin Feb.13, before state District Judge Janet Leal.
Sepulveda Jr. was appointed to the position of Cameron County judge by a vote of 4-1 of the county commissioners in March 2015 after the resignation of then-Judge Carlos H. Cascos. Cascos resigned to be Texas Secretary of State. Precinct 3 Commissioner David A. Garza voted against the motion, citing a conflict of interest.
Sepulveda Jr. served in an interim capacity as Cameron County judge until November 2016. He currently serves as executive director of Cameron County Mobile Regional Authority, which works in conjunction with the county on infrastructure projects.
When contacted Tuesday, Sepulveda declined comment and referred questions to his attorney.
Repeated requests for comments from Sepulveda’s attorney, Noe Garza, and fellow city commissioners Sofia Benavides and David A. Garza went unanswered Wednesday and Tuesday.
