The Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with Homeland Security Investigations and the City of Nogales, filed felony criminal charges against three City of Nogales employees: Fernando Islas, Jr., Eduardo Bojorquez-Obeso, and Francisco Rene Fuentes on June 20. The arrests were the result of a 3-year investigation by Homeland Security Investigations in Nogales.
The charges stem from criminal acts that allegedly occurred in the Fall of 2009. The three were employed in the City of Nogales street department. They allegedly enaged in drug trafficking while at work. They allegedly used “city equipment, city vehicles on city time to facilitate the goal of smuggling marijuana,” said Deputy City Manager John E. Kissinger. Kissenger said investigators believe the workers used municipal equipment to build secret smuggling compartments on other vehicles.
A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday, June 27 at Santa Cruz County Justice Court.
Fernando Islas, Jr. is charged with Conspiracy To Possess Marijuana For Sale and Conspiracy To Transport Marijuana For Sale. Eduardo Bojorquez-Obeso is charged with Unlawful Transportation Of Marijuana For Sale, two counts of Unlawful Possession Of Marijuana For Sale, two counts of Conspiracy To Possess Marijuana For Sale, and two counts of Conspiracy To Transport Marijuana For Sale. Francisco Rene Fuentes is charged with Unlawful Possession Of Marijuana For Sale, two counts of Conspiracy To Possess Marijuana For Sale, and two counts of Conspiracy To Transport Marijuana For Sale.
Shane Dille, City Manager for the City of Nogales said, “I am disappointed that we had to do this. At the same time, I am confident that this is not reflective of the entire organization. This step is necessary in order to maintain the trust of the general public.”
All three individuals have been booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail. The bond for Islas is set at $20,000 and $100,000 each for Bojorquez-Obeso and Fuentes.