Webb County Sheriff Indicted for Running COVID Disinfecting Scheme

Cuellar Brothers Face Federal Charges Within Weeks

Just weeks after President Trump pardoned Congressman Henry Cuellar on bribery charges, his brother Martin Cuellar, the Webb County Sheriff, faces his own federal indictment for allegedly running an elaborate scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Jr., was indicted on charges of misappropriating funds during the COVID-19 pandemic in the South Texas border town of Laredo. Cuellar is the brother of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, who was recently pardoned on corruption charges by President Donald Trump. Martin Cuellar, 67, and his assistant chief Alejandro Gutierrez, 47, have appeared in federal court for their alleged involvement in what U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei calls a "scheme" to defraud the Webb County Sheriff's Office from 2020 to 2022.

The indictment reveals a brazen operation where county resources were allegedly used to run a private disinfecting business called Disinfect Pro Master. According to the indictment, "Cuellar, Gutierrez and former assistant chief Ricardo Rodriguez used WCSO staff and resources to run a for-profit disinfecting business during the COVID-19 pandemic," Disinfect Pro Master. They used the company to enter into service agreements with local businesses and restaurants "despite having no employees or supplies of their own," the indictment alleges. Instead, they tasked WCSO employees with handling the company's daily operations inside of the sheriff's office.

Half-Million Dollar School Contract at Center of Allegations

The most lucrative aspect of the alleged scheme involved a $500,000 contract with the United Independent School District in Laredo. The charges also allege Disinfect Pro Master secured a $500,000 contract to clean United Independent School District schools in Laredo. The indictment says Martin Cuellar, Gutierrez and former assistant chief Ricardo Rodriguez each received approximately $175,000 – one third of the profits. This represents a significant misuse of taxpayer resources, as county employees and equipment were allegedly used to fulfill private contracts.

The sheriff's office essentially became the headquarters for this private enterprise. The sheriff's office was also used as a distribution center where WCSO staff "picked up schedules and equipment to conduct disinfecting services both on and off the clock with the county," the indictment alleges. This setup allowed the business to operate with minimal overhead while maximizing profits for the three defendants.

Political Fallout and "Culture of Corruption" Claims

Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina didn't mince words when reacting to the charges, describing a pattern of corruption within the Cuellar family's political influence. Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina said Sheriff Cuellar's indictment "should surprise absolutely no one." "Between Henry [U.S. Rep.] requiring a pardon to avoid his own guilt and now, his brother, Martin, the Webb County Sheriff facing criminal indictment, the public has seen a full, unfiltered display of how deeply their culture of corruption has taken root," Tijerina said.

Tijerina, who recently switched from Democrat to Republican, characterized the situation as part of what he called "the Cuellar Crime Syndicate where a closed circle of power of last names matter more than the law, and insiders protect insiders." The timing is particularly striking, as the sheriff was indicted one month before his brother was pardoned by Trump.

Severe Legal Consequences Ahead

The charges carry substantial penalties that could effectively end Martin Cuellar's law enforcement career. If convicted, Cuellar and Gutierrez both face up to 10 years in federal prison, and $250,000 in fines. Cuellar is additionally charged with money laundering, which carries an additional 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sheriff has pleaded not guilty, with his attorney calling the charges baseless and politically motivated.

One co-conspirator has already accepted responsibility. Rodriguez, 65, of Laredo, previously pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing March 16. This development could provide prosecutors with crucial testimony as they build their case against the remaining defendants. The investigation was conducted by the FBI-San Antonio and Department of Homeland Security as part of the Laredo Border Corruption Task Force, indicating the scope and seriousness of the allegations.