Former Eagle Pass Department of Public Works Employee Sentenced for Role in City Credit Card Fraud Scheme

This morning, former City of Eagle Pass Department of Public Works employee Edgar Aguilar was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $68,373.87 in restitution for his role in a credit card fraud scheme involving the City of Eagle Pass, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

On November 29, 2012, Aguilar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit credit card fraud. By pleading guilty, Aguilar admitted that during 2011, he obtained five City of Eagle Pass-owned “Fuelman” credit cards designated for fuel purchases for Public Works department vehicles and distributed them to his co-defendants. The defendants then used those cards to purchase fuel for their own vehicles and to purchase fuel for others at the city’s expense. In some instances, defendants charged individuals a reduced rate for fuel purchased using the city’s credit card, and then pocketed the cash.

Co-defendants Rene Castillo, Armando Ojeda Nuncio, and Ricardo Hernandez-Espinoza have all pleaded guilty to use of unauthorized access device. Elizabeth Vivian has pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. All four are awaiting sentencing.

This joint investigation was conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with investigators from the Eagle Pass Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tad Duree is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.