Toyah Residents Up In Arms Over Corruption In Their Town
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: December 5, 2012
TOYAH-- Right now Mayor Bartolo Sanchez is facing 1 count of bank fraud, 1 count of wire fraud, and 4 counts of aggravated identity theft.
But some residents who live in Toyah tell us these charges are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his criminal activity within the city.
"Angry as hell!" said Toyah resident Monnie Smith regarding Mayor Sanchez. "You better believe it, we are angry as hell! Look around you (Toyah); we live in an Iraqi war zone!"
Smith says she's been living under city corruption for about 6 years.
"We have an unelected group of people running city hall," said Smith. "The last time we held lawful elections was in 2006."
That was when Mayor Sanchez was first elected.
Since then, Smith says he's misused city funds, took control of the town's utilities and voluntary fire department, and filled city council vacancies with members of his family.
"At any given time one of his family members is sitting on Council," stated Smith. "Or is the city secretary, or is the janitor, or whoever. They make up positions as they please."
Right now Mayor Sanchez is facing federal charges after he allegedly stole close to $300,000 from the town.
But Smith says these charges do not deal with any of the nepotism and improper use of city land that's been going on.
"The corruption in Reeves County is beyond your comprehension!" exclaimed Smith.
Investigators on the case say in 2009 Sanchez, without the knowledge of the Toyah City Council, signed a $228,132.54 settlement with the oil and gas company Chesapeake Operating.
The money was meant to fix streets damaged by Chesapeake's vehicles.
But, investigators say Sanchez never fixed the roads.
Instead, he created a private bank account and wrote checks to himself from money that was supposed to improve town.
Meanwhile, Smith tells us the roads in Toyah continue to deteriorate.
"Been to City Hall many times to say, 'Can't you call Chesapeake or somebody, and get money for our roads? They're destroying our towns,'" said Smith. "And all we get told (by Toyah city leaders) is no, no one is willing to help, we're destitute, we're bankrupt."
If convicted on all of the current charges Sanchez faces up to 58 years in prison.
But smith says even with him gone the town continues to be run by several of his family members, who insist on keeping the public in the dark.
"Anytime a citizen would ask a question, we get threatened with arrest," stated Smith. "I myself have been threatened with arrest twice this week for daring to ask questions."
Big2 tried to speak with some of the Toyah City leaders but Smith says they closed the office to attend Mayor Sanchez's trial.
We also reached out the Reeves County Attorney, but our calls have not been returned.
And, when we asked the FBI Public Information Officer if agents are looking into any of these other allegations he hung up on us.
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But some residents who live in Toyah tell us these charges are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his criminal activity within the city.
"Angry as hell!" said Toyah resident Monnie Smith regarding Mayor Sanchez. "You better believe it, we are angry as hell! Look around you (Toyah); we live in an Iraqi war zone!"
Smith says she's been living under city corruption for about 6 years.
"We have an unelected group of people running city hall," said Smith. "The last time we held lawful elections was in 2006."
That was when Mayor Sanchez was first elected.
Since then, Smith says he's misused city funds, took control of the town's utilities and voluntary fire department, and filled city council vacancies with members of his family.
"At any given time one of his family members is sitting on Council," stated Smith. "Or is the city secretary, or is the janitor, or whoever. They make up positions as they please."
Right now Mayor Sanchez is facing federal charges after he allegedly stole close to $300,000 from the town.
But Smith says these charges do not deal with any of the nepotism and improper use of city land that's been going on.
"The corruption in Reeves County is beyond your comprehension!" exclaimed Smith.
Investigators on the case say in 2009 Sanchez, without the knowledge of the Toyah City Council, signed a $228,132.54 settlement with the oil and gas company Chesapeake Operating.
The money was meant to fix streets damaged by Chesapeake's vehicles.
But, investigators say Sanchez never fixed the roads.
Instead, he created a private bank account and wrote checks to himself from money that was supposed to improve town.
Meanwhile, Smith tells us the roads in Toyah continue to deteriorate.
"Been to City Hall many times to say, 'Can't you call Chesapeake or somebody, and get money for our roads? They're destroying our towns,'" said Smith. "And all we get told (by Toyah city leaders) is no, no one is willing to help, we're destitute, we're bankrupt."
If convicted on all of the current charges Sanchez faces up to 58 years in prison.
But smith says even with him gone the town continues to be run by several of his family members, who insist on keeping the public in the dark.
"Anytime a citizen would ask a question, we get threatened with arrest," stated Smith. "I myself have been threatened with arrest twice this week for daring to ask questions."
Big2 tried to speak with some of the Toyah City leaders but Smith says they closed the office to attend Mayor Sanchez's trial.
We also reached out the Reeves County Attorney, but our calls have not been returned.
And, when we asked the FBI Public Information Officer if agents are looking into any of these other allegations he hung up on us.
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
