21 jailed in La Salle, December 8 – 21

By Editor | December 24, 2025

COUNTY ARRESTS

Twenty-one individuals were arrested in La Salle County over the past two weeks on a range of felony and misdemeanor charges and on warrants issued locally and in other jurisdictions.
Arrests were made by deputies of the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, troopers of the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, and officers of the Encinal Police Department.
One woman was arrested twice.
In addition to those serving commitment by order of the courts (details previously published), those taken into custody between Monday, December 8, and Sunday, Dec. 21, with arrest times logged at booking in the La Salle County Jail, were as follows:
Mark Anthony Ruiz, 31, of Cotulla; arrested 3:55 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, by the Sheriff’s Office; warrants issued by La Salle County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace for Class A misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury and misdemeanor violating a promise to appear in court; remained in jail Monday, Dec. 22.
Juan Carlos Hernandez Jr., 26, of Brownsville, Texas; arrested 11:03 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, by the Texas DPS; Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana; released on bond after 12 hours.
Jason Keith Melton, 43, of Dallas; arrested 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, by the Sheriff’s Office; warrant issued in La Salle District Court for failure to appear in court on state jail felony unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; remained in jail Monday, Dec. 22.
Gianna Gabriella Rodriguez, 29, of Cotulla; arrested 10:04 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class B misdemeanor interfering with public duties; released on bond.
Maria Belinda Gonzalez, 66, of Cotulla; arrested 10:14 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class B misdemeanor interfering with public duties; released on bond.
Benito Alejandro Soto, 64, of Laredo; arrested 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, by the Texas DPS; Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana, second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2, state jail felony possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1/1b; released on bond after 22 hours.
Victor James Serna, 22, of Laredo; arrested 10:34 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, by the Texas DPS; Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana, third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2; released on bond after 23 hours.
Leo Lopez, 37, of Alice, Texas; arrested 3:16 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, by the Sheriff’s Office; warrant issued in La Salle County Court for failure to appear in court on Class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, warrant issued by Pct. 2 JP for misdemeanor driving without a license; remained in jail Monday, Dec. 22.
Juan Antonio Salazar, 58, of Cotulla; arrested 11:37 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, by the Sheriff’s Office; third-degree felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; released on bond after three days, 23 hours.
San Juanita Rodriguez, 66, of Encinal; arrested 8:04 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, by the Encinal PD; second-degree felony assault of a peace officer or judge, Class B misdemeanor interfering with public duties, Class A misdemeanor resisting arrest; released on bond after 22 hours.
Mario Ramirez, 22, of Cotulla; arrested 11:58 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class A misdemeanor violating a bond or protective order; released on bond after 12 hours.
Lucinda Benavidez, 45, of Cotulla; arrested 5:20 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana; released on bond after five hours. Arrested 12:35 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class A misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury; released on bond after 14 hours.
Ashley Nicole Laguna, 27, of Cotulla; arrested 5:22 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated; released on bond after five hours.
Jeremiah Alexander Ramos, 28, of Crowley, Texas; arrested 8:27 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, by the Texas DPS; Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana; released on bond after four hours.
Cassandra Velasquez, 40, of Cotulla; arrested 11:06 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, by the Sheriff’s Office; misdemeanor warrants issued by Pct. 1 JP for violating a promise to appear in court (three counts), operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and driving without a license (two counts); released on bond after four hours.
Victor Alfonso Garcia, 31, of Dilley; arrested 5:50 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class B misdemeanor theft of property up to $750 in value; remained in jail Monday, Dec. 22.
Mario Anthony Serna, 36, of Cotulla; arrested 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, by the Texas DPS; warrant issued in Dimmit County for state jail felony possession of a dangerous drug, warrant issued through US Marshals Service for felony probation violation; transferred after 19 hours.
Joshua Ordaz Franco, 21, of Laredo; arrested 10:56 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, by the Encinal PD; third-degree felony smuggling of persons; released on bond after one day, 22 hours.
Jesus Daniel Herrera, 35, of McAllen, Texas; arrested 12:10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, by the Sheriff’s Office; state jail felony possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1/1b; released on bond after 21 hours.
Oscar Gilberto De La Cruz Jr., 43, of Cotulla; arrested 2:19 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, by the Sheriff’s Office; Class A misdemeanor cruelty to non-livestock animals; released on bond after one day, five hours.
Danny Raed Munoz, 29, of Austin; arrested 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, by the Texas DPS; Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana, third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2; remained in jail Monday, Dec. 22.
*Editor’s note: Those listed as remaining in jail on Dec. 22 may have since been transferred or released on bond.