Texas Mexican Mafia Members, Murder of Police Officer Julian Pesina, Texas 2014

A federal grand jury has indicted three members of the Texas Mexican Mafia in connection with the murder of Balcones Heights Police Officer Julian Pesina.

On May 4, 2014, the body of Julian Pesina was discovered in front of his business, the Notorious Ink Tattoo and Piercing Studio located on Hillcrest Drive.

Court documents allege that Pesina had claimed membership in the Texas Mexican Mafia and was selling narcotics and paying the ‘dime’ (the 10% street tax) to the Texas Mexican Mafia.

According to the indictment, on May 4, 2014, Jerry Idrogo contacted Pesina and arranged for pickup of the ‘dime’ payment money outside of Pesina’s tattoo shop. Just before meeting Pesina, Idrogo dropped off Jesse Santibanez and Alfredo Cardona on the side of the building.

Once Pesina walked up to the car and handed Idrogo the ‘dime’ payment money, Santibanez and Cardona shot and killed Pesina.

Jesse Santibanez, 26, was arrested without incident in San Antonio today. Santibanez, Jerry Idrogo, 34, and Alfredo Cardona, 36, are charged with one count of using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

The indictment alleges that the defendants knowingly used and discharged a firearm in relation to the murder of Pesina.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison upon conviction.

Santibanez remains in federal custody following his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon. Idrogo and Cardona were already in custody prior to today on related State charges.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI together with the San Antonio Police Department.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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