PLAINVIEW, TX – A brazen jailbreak orchestrated with outside help landed 25-year-old Juan Anthony Cordero of Plainview in federal custody this weekend. Cordero is accused of aiding Mark Lucio, a convicted methamphetamine trafficker, in escaping the Bailey County Jail.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Erin Nealy Cox, announced Cordero’s arrest Saturday, following a swift operation by the United States Marshals Service’s North Texas Fugitive Task Force (NTFTF). Cordero made his initial court appearance today, facing charges that could put him behind bars for up to five years. Lucio himself was already a convicted felon, having pleaded guilty June 3rd to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms related to his drug operation.
According to a criminal complaint, the scheme unfolded through video calls. On August 28th, Cordero and Lucio allegedly discussed a detailed plan for the next day’s escape, including timing and the getaway vehicle – Cordero’s own car. The following morning, a final call between the two allegedly refined last-minute instructions before Lucio made his move, slipping out through a sally port door at the Bailey County Jail and immediately heading for Cordero’s waiting vehicle.
The Hale County Sheriff’s Office was quickly alerted by the NTFTF, and deputies soon located Cordero’s car at a residence in Plainview. A coordinated effort involving the NTFTF, Hale County deputies, and the Texas Department of Public Safety led to Cordero’s apprehension. During questioning, Cordero reportedly confessed to his role in the escape, admitting he not only provided transportation but also a 9mm pistol to Lucio. He allegedly dropped Lucio off at a residence in Abernathy, where the fugitive was taken into custody without incident.
Federal authorities stress that the criminal complaint represents accusations, not proof of guilt. Lucio and Cordero are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence suggests a calculated effort to free a dangerous drug trafficker, and the NTFTF acted swiftly to restore custody and bring those responsible to justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag is prosecuting the case. The investigation remains ongoing, involving the U.S. Marshal Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bailey County Sheriff’s Office, and Hale County Sheriff’s Office. If convicted of assisting a prison escape, Juan Anthony Cordero faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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