A former juvenile detention center employee was sentenced to 50 years in prison for stealing more than $1 million worth of fajita meat.
Gilberto Escamilla, the former purchaser for Darrel B. Hester Juvenile Detention Center, confessed he used taxpayer money to buy fajita meat and sell it for profit.
According to an audit report, more than $1.2 million were shaved from food purchases and went undetected for nine years.
On Aug. 7, the jig was up when 800 pounds’ worth of product was delivered to the Darrel B. Hester Juvenile Detention Center while Escamilla was at a doctor’s appointment.
“If he had been at work that day, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Hon. Trevino Jr. when interviewed by KVEO following Escamilla’s arrest.
Visiting State District Judge J. Manuel Banales sentenced Escamilla to 50 years in prison at the request of Cameron County Asst. District Attorney Peter Gilman to make an example of his abuse of position and stealing from taxpayers.
