In September 2018, the town of Laredo was shaken by a series of horrific murders. Juan David Ortiz, a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service, was arrested for the killings of four sex workers over a 12-day period. He admitted to luring his victims into his white Dodge truck, driving them to remote areas outside of town, and brutally killing them, leaving their bodies on the rural roadsides.
Author Rick Jervis has delved into this chilling story in his new book, “The Devil Behind the Badge,” set to be released soon. In an interview with Texas Standard, Jervis shared his insights into the case.
Jervis was initially drawn to the story when he received a call from his editor at USA Today, informing him of the Border Patrol agent’s arrest in Laredo. He immediately traveled to the town to investigate further. Despite Ortiz’s confession, his motive remains unclear. In a nine-hour interview with investigators, Ortiz mentioned wanting to “rid the streets of prostitutes,” but the exact reasons behind his actions remain elusive.
The investigation into Ortiz was initially challenging, with no significant leads for 12 days. However, his arrest came about when a potential fifth victim managed to escape from his truck and seek help at a gas station, where a Texas state trooper was present. This incident triggered a manhunt that led to Ortiz’s apprehension.
The book also explores the issue of law enforcement having to police their own ranks. Colleagues of Ortiz noted erratic behavior and concerning signs prior to the murders, raising questions about why these red flags were not addressed by Border Patrol officials. Despite his troubling behavior, Ortiz was even promoted a few days before the first murder.
Jervis highlights the need for increased transparency and accountability within Border Patrol. While some positive steps, such as the introduction of body cameras and publishing use of force guidelines, have been taken since 2018, concerns about a culture of impunity and lack of discipline persist among immigrant advocates.
Ortiz faced trial in December 2022 and was sentenced to life in prison. Despite his appeal being rejected, questions remain about whether there have been any significant changes in the culture of the Laredo sector or Border Patrol as a whole. While some improvements have been made, there are ongoing calls for greater transparency and accountability within the agency.
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