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United States of America v. Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr.
Date: 05-23-2026
Case Number: 2:25-cr-02542
Judge: Ernest Gonzalez
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Val Verde County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Del Rio
Defendant's Attorney: Greg Torres and George Altgelt
Description:
Del Rio, Texas, criminal defense lawyer represents the Defendant charged with defrauding the U.S. government.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr., 41, of Eagle Pass, owned and operated a business known as El Eagle Mail. On multiple dates in February and March 2025, Cerda was observed at his residence during scheduled work hours despite his duties requiring him to be in the field.
To further observe Cerda’s activities, the FBI installed two surveillance cameras beginning on April 22, 2025, one providing a view of his home and the other providing a view of the El Eagle Mail business, located approximately 15 to 20 minutes away. Between April 22 and June 28, 2025, surveillance showed Cerda remained at his residence until approximately 2pm on weekdays, before traveling to the El Eagle Mail business where he remained until after 4pm. During the same time period, he submitted bi-weekly timecards reflecting that he worked for the USBP from 6am to 4pm, claiming a total of 399.58 hours of pay between April 22 and June 28, 2025. He received approximately $17,724.74 in pay for those reported hours.
In addition to the surveillance video, the FBI obtained cell site location data for both Cerda’s government issued phone and his personal phone. Analysis of the data also indicated Cerda was located at or near his residence during work hours and showed a lack of activity consistent with traveling to the Eagle Pass USBP station to pick up a government vehicle for his assigned transportation duties. Additional investigative methods also corroborated the surveillance video.
Cerda was indicted in October 2025 for four counts of wire fraud, four counts of false statement or representation made to an agency or department of the United States, and three counts of receiving stolen government money or property. Pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Duarte II is prosecuting the case.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr., 41, of Eagle Pass, owned and operated a business known as El Eagle Mail. On multiple dates in February and March 2025, Cerda was observed at his residence during scheduled work hours despite his duties requiring him to be in the field.
To further observe Cerda’s activities, the FBI installed two surveillance cameras beginning on April 22, 2025, one providing a view of his home and the other providing a view of the El Eagle Mail business, located approximately 15 to 20 minutes away. Between April 22 and June 28, 2025, surveillance showed Cerda remained at his residence until approximately 2pm on weekdays, before traveling to the El Eagle Mail business where he remained until after 4pm. During the same time period, he submitted bi-weekly timecards reflecting that he worked for the USBP from 6am to 4pm, claiming a total of 399.58 hours of pay between April 22 and June 28, 2025. He received approximately $17,724.74 in pay for those reported hours.
In addition to the surveillance video, the FBI obtained cell site location data for both Cerda’s government issued phone and his personal phone. Analysis of the data also indicated Cerda was located at or near his residence during work hours and showed a lack of activity consistent with traveling to the Eagle Pass USBP station to pick up a government vehicle for his assigned transportation duties. Additional investigative methods also corroborated the surveillance video.
Cerda was indicted in October 2025 for four counts of wire fraud, four counts of false statement or representation made to an agency or department of the United States, and three counts of receiving stolen government money or property. Pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Duarte II is prosecuting the case.
Outcome:
The Defendant elected to plead guilty.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr.?
The outcome was: The Defendant elected to plead guilty.
Which court heard United States of America v. Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr.?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Val Verde County), TX. The presiding judge was Ernest Gonzalez.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr.?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Del Rio. Defendant's attorney: Greg Torres and George Altgelt.
When was United States of America v. Ramon Heriberto Cerda Jr. decided?
This case was decided on May 23, 2026.