Press Release by US Attorney’s Office
Thursday, August 28, 2025–ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced today the seizure of two marketplace domains and one blog used to sell fraudulent identity documents to cybercriminals worldwide. The operators of VerifTools produced and sold counterfeit driver’s licenses, passports, and other identification documents that could be used to bypass identity verification systems and gain unauthorized access to online accounts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating in August 2022 after discovering a conspiracy to use stolen identity information to access cryptocurrency accounts. The investigation revealed that VerifTools offered counterfeit identification documents for all 50 U.S. states and multiple foreign countries for as little as nine dollars, payable in cryptocurrency.
The FBI used the VerifTools marketplace to generate and purchase counterfeit New Mexico driver’s licenses, which were paid for with cryptocurrency. The FBI has identified the equivalent of approximately $6.4 million of illicit proceeds linked to the VerifTools marketplace. The following counterfeit documents are an example of New Mexico driver’s licenses obtained from VerifTools.
“The internet is not a refuge for criminals. If you build or sell tools that let offenders impersonate victims, you are part of the crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “We will use every lawful tool to disrupt your business, take the profit out of it, and bring you to justice. No one operation is bigger than us together. With our partners at every level of law enforcement we will protect New Mexicans and defend those who stand up for our community.”
“The removal of this marketplace is a major step in protecting the public from fraud and identity theft crime,” said Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “Together with our partners, we will continue to target and dismantle the platforms that criminals depend on, no matter where they operate.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
The Justice Department collaborated closely with investigators and prosecutors from multiple jurisdictions in this investigation, including the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Virginia, the Dutch National Police and the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.
Category: City & County Politics
Information you need to know about the City of Devine, Medina County Commissioner’s Court, City of Natalia, City of Lytle, and our local Emergency Service Districts.
ESD#2 Fire board proposes increase to 10 cent tax rate to fund full time service, debates who to hire
Click here to see who is pictured above.
Former Devine Fire Department volunteer and Smoke Eater of the Year Daniel Ehlinger offers his opinion during the Aug. 19 ESD2 board meeting. Photo by Anton Riecher
By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
MCESD #2 Fire has called a meeting for Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 pm at the fire house in Devine to discuss the fire service contract which is up on October 1st. Proposals have been submitted by Devine Volunteer Fire Dept. as well as MCESD #1. They will also discuss other things, among them the tax rate which they proposed to increase to 10 cents per $100 valuation to provide for 24 hour around-the-clock full-time paid firefighters, which would be needed no matter which agency they decide to contract with (the 9.5 or 7.43 rates would not fund full time paid departments under either proposal).
Their regular meeting will be on September 16 at 7:00 pm at the fire house. Prior to that meeting they will host a Public Hearing on the proposed tax rate and set the tax rate that night.
Both meetings are…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Lytle council reduces new tax rate from earlier proposal
By Anton Riecher
In the last scheduled budget workshop for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, Lytle City Manager Zachary Meadows presented the city council with a reduction in the previously approved proposed tax rate of $.446405 per $100 valuation.
The new rate put forward Monday by Meadows is $.439434 per $100 valuation. The previous proposed rate was approved by the council at its Aug. 11 meeting.
“After going through and trying to rework some of the numbers, along with trying to get the water fund back closer in line, we moved some of the payment over to debt service,” he said. “By doing that it adjusted the tax rate.”
The proposed rate still amount to an increase over the current 39 cent rate. Still, Mayor Ruben Gonzalez noted that even at 43 cents “we’re still way below anybody around in this area, both in Atascosa and Medina County.”
A graph submitted by Meadow shows that the proposed rate is slightly below the highest tax rate paid by Lytle residents in the last 10 years.
An adjusted general fund summary submitted to the council now shows an expected surplus of $20,298.
“We’re in the black which is great,” Meadows said.
The proposed city budget shows total general fund revenue of $4.767 million against total department expenditures of $4.747 million.
Quorum for the budget workshop included District 1 Alderwoman Anna Carrillo, District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes and District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez.
Medina and Atascosa County landowners to be affected by proposed transmission line project
By Kayleen Holder
CPS Energy submitted the following answers to questions we asked regarding the Howard-Solstice Transmission Line Project. The project is a proposed 370-mile high-voltage line stretching from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, crossing up to 14 Texas counties, including Medina and Atascosa Counties”
Will ya’ll be using eminent domain, or will it be along the roadway?
We need to acquire new easements to safely construct, operate, and maintain the new lines. We negotiate with land owners to purchase the necessary easement, and will only use eminent domain as a last resort.
Does it involve Medina County or Atascosa County and to what extent?
CPS Energy and AEP Texas are evaluating multiple geographically diverse transmission line options for the project, which includes Medina and Atascosa counties. The PUCT will ultimately select the transmission line option that will be used. At the moment, there is no selected route, only preliminary segments at this time.
What is the driving factor behind this new transmission line?
The project is proposed ERCOT’s forecast of rapidly growing energy demand in the Permian Basin.
To learn more about the transmission project, visit cpsenergy.com/infrastructure. Please visit our public displays athttps://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Open_House_Displays_ADA_72425.pdf
If ya’ll move forward with this project, at what point, would affected landowners be notified?
In February 2026, CPS Energy and AEP Texas plan to submit an application to the PUCT and will notify affected landowners at that time of the application submitted. Once the PUCT approves this project and selects the final Transmission line route (around August 2026), we will once again notify affected landowners of their decision.
- How are these lines different from existing transmission lines? As in are they really bigger than others we currently have?
The 765 kV transmission lines are only slightly taller than our typical existing 345 kV transmission lines. However, they are wider to maintain safe clearance between the phase conductors. The big difference is the ability 765 kV lines have to transmit higher amounts of power, and do so with less (power) loss than a 345 kV transmission line. Essentially, there is an efficiency gain by using a higher voltage. A typical 765 kV transmission circuit can transmit the same amount of power as approximately six single 345 kV transmission circuits. From this perspective, a single 765 kV line will occupy much less overall space than running the equivalent six 345 kV circuits in parallel with one another. - How large is each structure supporting transmission lines approximately?
The typical tower height will range between 140 and 160 feet. The base of the self-supporting lattice structures will be about 45 feet wide. For the guyed structures, the guy wires will be attached to the ground about 60 feet from the center of the structure.
The typical span length (between structures) will range between 1,250-1,400 feet….structures may be closer or further apart to account for terrain or other constraints.
- How many miles would the line be in Medina County and Atascosa County and where can I see a detailed map?
The length of the transmission line in each county will be dependent on the route that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) selects and won’t be known until the final route is approved.
The preliminary study area map showing all segments and counties. Direct link to the map is here: https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Howard_Solstice_Study_Area_Map_ADA_71625.pdf
City of Devine hires Michelle Martin as new City Secretary
The City of Devine announced the hiring of Michelle Martin as City Secretary to replace retired City Secretary Dora Rodriguez who served the city for 41 years and retired in July.
“My family and I moved to the area 7 years ago,” stated Michelle Martin in her resume.
“I have worked for the State of Texas and City of San Antonio in supporting city infrastructure programs, grant projects, community engagement, non-profit support, and small business development with a total of 10 years experience. I have also worked on large corporate projects for USAA and Medtronic. I attended Texas A&M University – San Antonio where I attained my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Masters in Business Management.”
“I am so grateful and humbled by the opportunity to be the next City Secretary for Devine. I look forward to meeting you all and building a partnership for a stronger community,” said Martin.
Rodriguez retired after 41 years
Dora Rodriguez served the citizens of Devine working at the City Office for the past 41 years in several capacities including the position of City Secretary as well as Interim City Administrator in her later years. Rodriguez graduated from Devine High School in 1984 and went to work for the City of Devine.
She announced her retirement on May 21 but with July 31 being her last day.
Rodriguez worked under many mayors and councils over the years and was a constant steady for all those coming and going. She earned many leadership and continuing education hours throughout her years of dedication to the citizens of Devine. She helped out her hometown through tough times and took on the city administrator job while serving as City Secretary also until the next City Admin was hired. This happened multiple times where she worked many 60 hour weeks.
Lytle eyes tax rate, hearings soon
During a regular session Monday the Lytle City Council voted 4-0 to approve a proposed tax rate of $0.446405 per $100 valuation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
The tax rate will be subject to public hearings before a final vote on passage. City Administrator Zachary Meadows said the proposed rate is slightly below the calculated maximum rate allowed by law without requiring voter approval.
However, the proposed rate does exceed the “no new revenue rate,” the amount that would produce the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year. The proposed rate was approved on a motion by District 3 Alderman David Emery, seconded by District 1 Alderwoman Anna Carrillo. District 5 Alderman Matthew Martinez was absent for the vote.
121 years of key personnel and historical knowledge quite a task to replace for City of Devine
By Kathleen Calame
Publisher
The City of Devine has been undergoing major transitions for the past couple months since four key personnel retired or resigned. After weeks of working through the hiring process all four key positions have been filled. This week we introduce the new Chief of Police Joe Brown III, and new City Secretary Michelle Martin. Next week we will introduce the new Court Administrator Cassandra Maldonado and Finance Director Sophia Benavides.
Devine City Administrator David Jordan explained…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
ESD2 considering big change,to host public meeting Aug. 12 to hear proposals from Devine Fire and ESD1
MCESD#2 who collects tax dollars to provide fire protection in the Devine area, has called a special public meeting for Tuesday, August 12th because they are discussing whether they will be contracting with ESD1 for fire services or staying with the Devine Volunteer Fire Dept. Costs and options will be presented to the board and it is their hope that citizens will attend to listen to the presentations.
They are having a called meeting on August 12th at 7:00 PM at the firehouse to hear proposals from both DVFD and MCESD1 to provide services to include any or all of the following: full time firefighters, leadership, accounting, maintenance and related services.
ESD2 purchased and owns the Fire House across from Devine High School on CR 5710, the fire engines, and most of the equipment and assets. DVFD has been able to provide the volunteers for fire services for many years, but has experienced a lot of changes in leadership and personnel in the past year, loss of volunteers, and financial problems. The transition to a paid fire department alongside the volunteers has affected the expenses as well.
The ESD#2 regular meeting will be the following week, on August 19 to set the budget and make decisions.
“As always we appreciate participation and really hope that everyone who’s concerned would be able to make it and hear our options alongside of us,” said Abigail Beadle, ESD2 Commissioner. Other ESD2 Board members are President Todd Summers, Jeff Howard, Ken Nighswander, Jerry Stevens.
Devine Volunteer Fire Department currently provides the service with a mix of paid fire fighters and volunteers. Less than a year ago in October 2024, the DVFD added 6 paid fire fighter positions and have recently discovered it needs much more money to keep it going than originally proposed by the prior Fire Chief Greg Atkinson who resigned. In July the DVFD provided an estimated budget with expenses to the ESD2 board by DVFD Fire Chief Jessica Martinez and Office Mgr. Sophia Benavidez.
Fire Chief Clint Cooke of MC ESD1 talked briefly at the July meeting about the various choices ESD1 offers , ability of keeping the local volunteers and department, all while providing leadership and fire services through ESD1.
Water line installation to serve Lytle data center expectedin mid-August
Work to install water lines to service construction of a massive $500 million “hyperscaler” data center near Lytle’s Coal Mine neighborhood is expected to start in mid-August, East Medina County Special Utility District field manager Ronnie Lemmons told the EMCSUD board July 22.
The contractor is “anticipating starting around mid-August and actually installing lines on the eastern end of the district, starting where the plant is going to be,” Lemmons said.
The 440-acre plant site owned by Rowan Digital Infrastructure is located in Lytle’s extra territorial jurisdiction, referring to an area surrounding a city’s corporate limits where it has powers related to land development and annexation, but not full municipal services.
Dubbed “Project Cinco,” the data center is expected to bring nearly 600 construction jobs to the community.
Lemmons said the initial water lines will cross CR 679 and CR 6712 to reach the Project Cinco property. Later phases of the construction will involve running a water line from FM 471 to CR 570 by way of FM 463.
Projected cost on the water lines alone is $7.5 million, Lemmons said.
By comparison to the $1.4 billion Microsoft data center project located along U.S. 90 W and FM 1957 near Castroville, Project Cinco is farther ahead with regard to water line development, Lemmons said. Both projects are…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Lytle council moves forward with improving Coal Mine access
By Anton Riecher
A task order for engineering work to extend Juarez Street to FM 683 and grant Lytle’s Coal Mine neighborhood a second entrance and exit was approved by the Lytle City Council Monday night.
“You are taking a vote that is solving an issue that the city has had for 130 years plus,” said Mayor Ruben Gonzalez. “We are finally going to be able to take care of our Coal Mine residents by providing them a secondary entrance and exit for emergencies.”
At present, the only entrance and exit for Coal Mine is a railroad crossing that is frequently blocked by passing trains.
The extension is part of a development agreement with Rowan Digital Infrastructure in connection with a massive $500 million “hyperscaler” data center dubbed “Project Cinco” that is expected to begin construction near Coal Mine in mid-August.
Under the development deal, the cost of the engineering work will be reimbursed to the city, Gonzalez said.
On a motion by District 3 Alderman Dick Emery, the council approved the task order with TRC Engineers by a vote of 4-0. District 2 Alderman Richard Hughes was absent from the meeting.
Much of the Monday night meeting was taken up with considering applications for zoning variances. City Attorney Austin Beck said that since Lytle has no board of adjustment to consider such variances the chores falls to the city council.
On a variance request at 19942 John Wayne Road in the Saddleridge Estates subdivision, the council split two-to-two on an application to allow placement of an above ground swimming pool three and a half feet from the rear property line. The setback requirement is 15 feet, already half of the requirement for most of Lytle, City Administrator Zachary Meadows explained.
Property owner Linda Atwood said that the present 15-foot setback “would put the pool in our living room.” She explained that a deeper pool was needed for physical therapy. The requested variance had been recommended by the city planning and zoning commission.
However…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!