Borderland Beat posted by DD Republished from material at New York Daily News, The Free Thought Project, and from news video by ABCNews Channel 13, Houston.
A former Houston Police Department ‘Officer of the Year’ award winner, Noe Juarez, was arrested this past Tuesday morning by the FBI during "roll call" after he reported for work at the central command station at 61 Riesner, in Houston. The FBI and DEA were working together in an alleged federal drug probe, serving a warrant out of New Orleans.
The Houston cop once recognized as the city’s officer of the year led a double life as a cocaine trafficker with ties to a notorious Mexican drug cartel, authorities claim.
Sealed indictments were opened on Wed. that showed federal charges of conspiracy to possess firearms connected with a drug trafficking offense and conspiracy to distribute five or more kilos of cocaine. Court documents accuse him of conspiring with Sergio Grimaldo, the brother of a convicted cartel boss, to distribute five kilos of cocaine in southeastern Louisiana.
His co-defendant, Grimaldo, 32, was previously indicted along with his brother, Efrain Grimaldo, a member of Los Zetas, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Louisiana confirmed in an email, according to The NY Daily News. Efrain was convicted of drug conspiracy charges in February 2014 and sentenced to 33 years in prison. The case against Sergio Grimaldo, who is in custody, remains open, and Juarez was named as a co-defendant in the indictment originally filed under seal on April 2, records show.
The charges against Juarez, unsealed on Wednesday, tell little about his alleged role, but police sources told KTRK the former hero cop worked as a hired gun for a drug cartel, escorting narcotics shipments across state borders.
 |
| Noe Juarez, former "Officer of the Year" |
The Houston cop once recognized as the city’s officer of the year led a double life as a cocaine trafficker with ties to a notorious Mexican drug cartel, authorities claim.
Sealed indictments were opened on Wed. that showed federal charges of conspiracy to possess firearms connected with a drug trafficking offense and conspiracy to distribute five or more kilos of cocaine. Court documents accuse him of conspiring with Sergio Grimaldo, the brother of a convicted cartel boss, to distribute five kilos of cocaine in southeastern Louisiana.
His co-defendant, Grimaldo, 32, was previously indicted along with his brother, Efrain Grimaldo, a member of Los Zetas, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Louisiana confirmed in an email, according to The NY Daily News. Efrain was convicted of drug conspiracy charges in February 2014 and sentenced to 33 years in prison. The case against Sergio Grimaldo, who is in custody, remains open, and Juarez was named as a co-defendant in the indictment originally filed under seal on April 2, records show.
The charges against Juarez, unsealed on Wednesday, tell little about his alleged role, but police sources told KTRK the former hero cop worked as a hired gun for a drug cartel, escorting narcotics shipments across state borders.
If convicted on all charges he faces up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
Court documents accuse Juarez of beginning his drug trafficking operation in 2012.
The indictment came out of New Orleans, where investigators have been working in conjunction with Houston authorities since 2014, according to court records. There are a number people, including law enforcement officers, being investigated, but the FBI wouldn't comment at this time.
![]()
Juarez was arraigned on Wednesday, appearing in shackles at the federal courthouse in Houston, according to local media reports. The cop has a bond hearing on Monday but remains in custody, though he has been suspended "with pay" for now.
Juarez remained silent throughout the appearance, and his attorney told reporters afterward they had little to go on given the sparse details provided in the indictment.
“All they’re doing is saying he’s done these things, and they haven’t put any meat on the bones,” defense attorney George Murphy said. “This is the most bare-boned indictment I’ve seen in a long time.”
Court documents accuse Juarez of beginning his drug trafficking operation in 2012.
The indictment came out of New Orleans, where investigators have been working in conjunction with Houston authorities since 2014, according to court records. There are a number people, including law enforcement officers, being investigated, but the FBI wouldn't comment at this time.
Juarez was arraigned on Wednesday, appearing in shackles at the federal courthouse in Houston, according to local media reports. The cop has a bond hearing on Monday but remains in custody, though he has been suspended "with pay" for now.
Prosecutors have claimed that Juarez is a “flight risk” and a “danger to the community,” but his attorney, George Murphy, claims those assertions are baseless.
“He has a long history of law-abiding conduct, he has a big support group and family that is going to make sure he shows up in court,” said Murphy. “So I don’t think they will be able to prove he won’t show up in court.”
Murphy went on to state that the case against his client is flimsy at best.
“They haven’t put any meat on the bones, this is the most bare bones indictment I’ve seen in a long time,” Murphy said.
“He has a long history of law-abiding conduct, he has a big support group and family that is going to make sure he shows up in court,” said Murphy. “So I don’t think they will be able to prove he won’t show up in court.”
Murphy went on to state that the case against his client is flimsy at best.
“They haven’t put any meat on the bones, this is the most bare bones indictment I’ve seen in a long time,” Murphy said.
“All they’re doing is saying he’s done these things, and they haven’t put any meat on the bones,” defense attorney George Murphy said. “This is the most bare-boned indictment I’ve seen in a long time.”