What started as suspicious vape cartridges inside the Milam County Jail in Cameron has turned into a full-blown scandal, with two jailers now out of a job and facing felony charges.
Authorities say Shane Moore and Daniel Cardoza, both employed as jailers at the time, were arrested Monday after investigators linked them to THC vape cartridges found inside the facility. The pair were taken into custody and have since been fired from the Milam County Sheriff's Office. Investigators allege the two were involved in bringing contraband into the jail, and both are now staring down serious criminal counts.
According to KBTX, Moore and Cardoza were each charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony. Cardoza is also charged with delivery of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2, less than one gram, a state-jail felony. Bond for each man on the organized crime charge was set at $20,000, the outlet reported. The arrests followed an internal investigation that began after staffers discovered THC vapes inside the jail.
As reported by KWTX, Sheriff Mike Clore made it clear he is not brushing off the case, saying the agency "has no tolerance for criminal conduct inside this agency, especially when it involves compromising the safety and security of our jail." Clore said the sheriff's office treated the allegations as urgent and terminated the employees as soon as the internal probe wrapped up. Officials have not released further operational details about how the vapes got into the lockup.
Third Person Arrested In Temple
The fallout is not limited to county staff. A third person, identified as Martin Trevino, was arrested by the Temple Police Department and is not employed by the Milam County Sheriff's Office, authorities said. As reported by FOX 44, Trevino faces charges that include engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of marijuana. He is being held in the Bell County Jail with a bond set at $2,000. Local officials have not yet detailed what role Trevino is alleged to have played in the case.
What The Charges Mean In Texas
Engaging in organized criminal activity is defined in Texas Penal Code §71.02 and can bump up the punishment range for the underlying offense, effectively increasing the severity category in many instances, according to state law. Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, delivering or possessing a Penalty Group 2 substance in an amount under one gram is treated as a state-jail felony, which typically carries 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a possible fine of up to $10,000. The full statute texts can be found in Texas Penal Code §71.02 and Health & Safety Code §481.116.
Sheriff Clore told local outlets the arrests show the office will hold its own employees accountable, KBTX reported. The investigation is now in the hands of prosecutors, and court filings will determine what happens next in each case. This story will be updated as hearings are scheduled or additional records become public.
