Lorenzo Padilla Hernandez, Federal Bribery, Texas 2026

Presidio County Officials Embroiled in Bribery Scandal

In a shocking turn of events, 55-year-old Lorenzo Padilla Hernandez, Presidio County Precinct 3 Commissioner, and 65-year-old Carlos Eduardo Nieto, Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Presidio and Presidio Independent School District trustee, were arrested on federal bribery charges in Midland, Texas.

The arrests come after a six-count federal grand jury indictment was unsealed, charging Hernandez with two counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds; conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; and two counts of wire fraud and deprivation of honest services. Nieto faces one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of mail fraud and deprivation of honest services.

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to defraud Presidio County and its citizens of money by corruptly ensuring that a particular company would be awarded a County contract for a document management system. The scheme allegedly began in August 2015 and continued until May 9, 2017, when Hernandez voted to award the contract to the said company.

The indictment further alleges that Hernandez and Nieto solicited and received $19,800 and $8,300, respectively, for their efforts. If convicted, Hernandez faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each bribery charge, while Nieto faces up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and mail fraud and deprivation of honest services.

Both defendants remain in federal custody and are scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge David Counts tomorrow at 10:30am in Midland. The FBI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, is investigating the case.

Individuals with first-hand information about corruption, fraud, or bribery related to Presidio County are urged to contact the FBI at (915) 835-5000. Assistant United States Attorneys James J. Miller, Jr., and William F. Lewis are prosecuting the case on behalf of the Government.

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