Houston police have charged Dervante Austin, listed in court records as the owner of No Sauce Brothers BBQ, with two counts of credit or debit card abuse after replacement bank cards mailed to local residents were allegedly used at his barbecue food truck. Prosecutors say the case involves thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases and have obtained a warrant, arguing Austin is a flight risk. Austin has denied the allegations. Neighbors in the affected ZIP code say they first spotted strange charges last summer when replacement debit cards showed activity before the cards ever arrived in their mailboxes, as reported by ABC13.
Court records outline charges, big-ticket transactions, and a warrant
According to court documents, Austin faces two counts of credit or debit card abuse after several residents waiting on replacement cards noticed transactions tied to No Sauce Brothers BBQ. Investigators reviewing bank records found roughly $3,000 in charges in August, along with a separate, flagged $6,492.84 attempt in September. As of late Friday, Austin was not in custody and a warrant had been issued. A motion filed by the state says prosecutors consider him a flight risk, and he has denied the allegations in conversations with investigators, according to ABC13.
Texas law on card-abuse allegations
In Texas, credit or debit card abuse is addressed in Penal Code Section 32.31 and is typically prosecuted as a state-jail felony, with potential penalties that can include months or years behind bars and fines. Venue rules were updated recently so prosecutors may be able to file charges in any county where victims reside, which broadens where a case can be brought. Details are outlined in the Texas Penal Code and in the venue provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure Article 13A.255.
Neighbors say questionable BBQ charges popped up months earlier
Earlier reporting from ABC13 detailed how resident Kat Nakhleh and others in her neighborhood spotted multiple charges tied to No Sauce Brothers while they were still waiting on replacement debit cards to show up. One resident's bank records showed thousands of dollars in attempted purchases at the barbecue operation. That reporting also noted that the business listed on the transactions appeared to be a food truck, not a brick-and-mortar storefront. Houston police's property and financial crimes division opened an inquiry into a pattern of missing replacement cards and suspicious charges, according to ABC13.
How to report suspected stolen mail and protect your accounts
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigates mail theft and identity-related crimes and urges anyone who suspects their mail has been stolen to contact postal inspectors and their bank right away. Postal inspectors offer online reporting and a 24/7 hotline. They recommend steps such as signing new cards immediately, checking account statements regularly, and alerting banks quickly to any suspicious activity. More information is available from the United States Postal Inspection Service.
What happens next in the case
With a warrant outstanding, the case will move forward if Austin is arrested and brought before a judge in Harris County. Prosecutors have already signaled they view him as a flight risk. If he is convicted of credit or debit card abuse, penalties would be determined under state law and could include state-jail time and fines. Investigators say they are continuing to accept tips from residents who believe they may have been affected.
