Mother, son held on $70K bond in Hidalgo County jail drug smuggling case

HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An inmate and his mother were issued respective bonds of $70,000 for their alleged involvement with a former Hidalgo County inmate bringing narcotics into the facility, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday, Hidalgo County investigators charged inmate Mauricio Mata and his 37-year-old mom, Emily Cavazos, with prohibited substances and Items in a correctional or civil commitment facility, a 3rd degree felony, and engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a 2nd degree felony.

Both were issued a total bond of $70,000 each.

^{Mauricio Mata and his 37-year-old mom, Emily Cavazos (Source: Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)}

Background

On Sept. 16, Rolando Rodriguez, a former employee of the Hidalgo County Detention Center, was charged with prohibited substances and items in a correctional or civil commitment facility, a 3rd degree felony and engaging in organized criminal activity, a 2nd degree felony.

^{(Source: Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)}

According to a news release from HCSO, an investigation revealed that Rodriguez had allegedly conspired with an inmate and outside suspects to bring narcotics into the facility.

HCSO investigators stated that, at the time of the alleged offenses, Rodriguez was employed at the detention facility.

His bond was set at $2,500 for each charge.