$1.7M TO PROSECUTE CRIME ALONG BORDER

AUSTIN -- A $1.7 million grant from the state will pay for more
prosecutors or investigators to take on gangs, drugs and human
trafficking along the border, Gov. Rick Perry said Monday.

Perry announced funding for the creation of the Border Prosecution
Unit, which came from the $110 million allocated by the lawmakers for
border security during the last legislative session.

The 16 district attorneys along the border will receive funding to
hire an additional prosecutor or an investigator who would work
exclusively with the Department of Public Safety and local law
enforcement agencies on border crime cases.

Perry said El Paso would lead the way as the fiscal agent for the unit.

"Texas' ongoing efforts at combating crime along the border have led
to an increase in the number of cases against individuals for money
laundering, drug and human trafficking, kidnapping, murder and
gang-related offenses," Perry said in a statement.

El Paso District Attorney Jaime Esparza said his office used its
allotment of the money to create a border prosecutor position that
was filled in January by Assistant District Attorney Andres Ortega.

Esparza said, because he only has one prosecutor exclusively devoted
to border cases, he must establish priorities.

"We are going to concentrate on those cases that we think have a
greater impact on border security," he said, listing gang, drugs and
human trafficking as key areas.

"One of my concerns is these gang cases because, not only are they
violent and make our communities less safe, but if we are not
vigilant the gangs could become foot soldiers for the cartels," he said.