"El Diablo" Trial Delayed In Pecos
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: February 19, 2013
PECOS -- A trial against a man accused of threatening several West Texas law enforcement agencies has been delayed.
Jacob Ramos Esparza is facing federal charges of using the internet to threaten law enforcement.
Esparza's trial was originally set to begin on February 20th.
However, a motion that calls for Esparza, 30, to undergo further mental evaluation was filed on February 12th.
With that motion in light, the trial has been delayed indefinitely.
A federal complaint states that Esparza threatened the lives of officers with the Pecos, Fort Stockton, Big Spring and Midland Police Departments.
Esparza also reportedly threatened the lives of employees of the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the office of Pecos Municipal Judge Robert French.
Esparza reportedly threatened to set off pipe bombs in Midland, Odessa and Pecos.
Court documents indicate that Esparza threatened to set off an explosive device in Fort Stockton as well.
Esparza allegedly made the threats through online forums on www.topix.com -- under the user name "El Diablo."
Federal agents add that Esparza posted several of the threats while he was in Mexico.
Esparza allegedly threatened gruesome and public killings of several law enforcement officers, and he reportedly threatened their families as well.
Esparza even reportedly told employees in a Pecos Dairy Queen that he was going to kill a police sergeant seated right behind him.
The threat was allegedly made in Spanish.
While no motive has been surmised for Esparza's actions in court documents, a federal complaint does indicate that Esparza's mother took her own life on October 21, 2012.
The document also states that Esparza's mother and aunt filed a police report on September 28, 2012 -- after Esparza threatened his stepfather.
Esparza's mother claimed in the police report that he was crazy, bi-polar, a drug user and off his medication.
The family violence charges against Esparza were dropped before his mother allegedly took her own life.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Homeland Security Investigation agents arrested Esparza at a truck stop in Pecos on November 28, 2012.
A federal judge denied bond for Esparza on November 29, 2012.
If convicted, Esparza will face a fine and up to 20 years in prison.
Jacob Ramos Esparza is facing federal charges of using the internet to threaten law enforcement.
Esparza's trial was originally set to begin on February 20th.
However, a motion that calls for Esparza, 30, to undergo further mental evaluation was filed on February 12th.
With that motion in light, the trial has been delayed indefinitely.
A federal complaint states that Esparza threatened the lives of officers with the Pecos, Fort Stockton, Big Spring and Midland Police Departments.
Esparza also reportedly threatened the lives of employees of the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the office of Pecos Municipal Judge Robert French.
Esparza reportedly threatened to set off pipe bombs in Midland, Odessa and Pecos.
Court documents indicate that Esparza threatened to set off an explosive device in Fort Stockton as well.
Esparza allegedly made the threats through online forums on www.topix.com -- under the user name "El Diablo."
Federal agents add that Esparza posted several of the threats while he was in Mexico.
Esparza allegedly threatened gruesome and public killings of several law enforcement officers, and he reportedly threatened their families as well.
Esparza even reportedly told employees in a Pecos Dairy Queen that he was going to kill a police sergeant seated right behind him.
The threat was allegedly made in Spanish.
While no motive has been surmised for Esparza's actions in court documents, a federal complaint does indicate that Esparza's mother took her own life on October 21, 2012.
The document also states that Esparza's mother and aunt filed a police report on September 28, 2012 -- after Esparza threatened his stepfather.
Esparza's mother claimed in the police report that he was crazy, bi-polar, a drug user and off his medication.
The family violence charges against Esparza were dropped before his mother allegedly took her own life.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Homeland Security Investigation agents arrested Esparza at a truck stop in Pecos on November 28, 2012.
A federal judge denied bond for Esparza on November 29, 2012.
If convicted, Esparza will face a fine and up to 20 years in prison.
