This morning, a Bexar County Grand Jury handed down three indictments connected to a single alleged incident inside the Bexar County Jail.
The separate indictments allege that on May 3, 2018, Maricela Leija and Thomas Lucero intentionally and knowingly provided a cellular telephone to Gabriel Moreno, who was an inmate in the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, and that Leija did participate in a combination consisting of Moreno and Lucero, who collaborated in carrying on criminal activity, intentionally and knowingly committing the offense of prohibited substances and items in a correction or civil commitment facility. At the time of the alleged offense, Leija worked as a nurse inside the jail and Lucero worked as a detention officer. Information on their current employment status may be obtained from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
A separate indictment alleges that on May 3, 2018, Moreno possessed a cellular telephone while in the Bexar County Adult Detention Center and that Moreno did participate in a combination consisting of Leija and Lucero, who collaborated in carrying on criminal activity, intentionally and knowingly committing the offense of prohibited substances and items in a correction or civil commitment facility. Moreno is serving a 20-year sentence for a 2020 conviction on a separate offense of possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution.
Engaging in organized crime with an underlying offense of prohibited substances in a correctional facility is a second degree offense. If convicted, the Defendants face between two to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
This case is being prosecuted by the Public Integrity and Cyber Crime Division. Because these cases are pending trial, we can make no further comment on them.
Copies of indictments or any other court records should be requested from the Bexar County District Clerk. Information on court settings may be found by searching the case online here or by contacting the court directly.