Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 237 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from Oct. 31 through Nov. 5. Charges included alien smuggling, illegal re-entry, and immigration offenses involving people with prior convictions and violent crimes.
Where
Western District of Texas, including El Paso, Del Rio
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Harrison Michael Barton, 39, from North Detroit, Texas, was sentenced in federal court to 30 years in prison on Nov. 5, 2026, for sexually exploiting a 15-year-old girl he met online in Call of Duty and attempting to kidnap her. He traveled by bus to Ohio in February 2025 to meet her, took explicit photos, and was arrested at an airport trying to flee with her.
Harrison Michael Barton, Defendant, 39-year-old from North Detroit, Texas; U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II, Prosecutor who announced sentence
A shipment of six pallets of Nvidia hardware valued at $11.4 million disappeared while in transit from Oakland, California to Fort Worth, Texas in August 2026. Oakland police filed a grand theft report and are investigating, with no arrests made.
After winning the November 2026 election, Comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt held a news conference stating that the biennial revenue estimate was behind schedule. She said she plans to ask Gov. Abbott to appoint her as Comptroller before January. The current Comptroller's office disputes this claim.
Sarah Eckhardt, Comptroller-elect; Don Huffines, Comptroller; Jeff Norwood, Associate deputy comptroller for external affairs and 1 more
CSW, a Texas developer, filed a lawsuit against PSO alleging the utility company favored a competitor for data center projects and sent pre-condemnation letters to CSW's property. CSW claims $250 million in losses from two planned data centers. PSO said it disagrees with the allegations.
$$250 million for claimed loss from two data center projects
CSW (Central Southwest Texas Development), Texas data center developer filing lawsuit; PSO (Public Service Oklahoma), Utility company named in lawsuit; Kyle Schmidt, Community activist commenting on lawsuit
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission extended the application deadline for the Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council to November 19, 2026. The HHSC Executive Commissioner will appoint members to serve terms expiring December 31, 2027, or July 1, 2028, when the council is set to be abolished by rule.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, announcing deadline extension and accepting applications
Following the midterm election results, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced changes to their police departments' policies on cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Whitmire issued an executive order limiting HPD contact with ICE to cases where individuals are charged with jailable offenses and have ICE administrative warrants.
$$110 million for public safety funding threatened by state
John Whitmire, Houston Mayor; Kirk Watson, Austin Mayor; Lisa Davis, Austin Police Chief and 8 more
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced a webinar about the Governmental Alternative Fuel Fleet Grant Program, which provides funding for state agencies and political subdivisions with fleets of more than 15 motor vehicles to purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, agency announcing grant program and webinar; Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP program administering grants
Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa promised during her campaign to give every Texas adult a one-time $1,500 payment. The proposal would require approval from the Texas Legislature, specifically two-thirds votes in both chambers to draw from the Rainy Day Fund.
$$1,500 for one-time payment per Texas adult
Gina Hinojosa, Governor-elect; Vlad Davidiuk, Political consultant