Kenedy County lies along the Gulf of Mexico in the southern tip of Texas, north of Harlingen and south of Corpus Christi on U.S. Highway 77. The 13th-largest county in Texas by total area but the 3rd-least populous, it has only 416 residents, and by one count had over 100 times more cattle than people.
With such a small population, you would not think of Kenedy County as a hotbed of crime. However, Kenedy County is home to the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint (formerly known as the Sarita Border Patrol Checkpoint), which is located 14 miles south of Sarita on Route 77. Administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), this checkpoint is an important outpost for intercepting drug traffickers coming from Mexico.
If you have been arrested for a marijuana-related crime in Kenedy or the surrounding counties including Kleberg, Willacy, Hidalgo, Brooks, and Cameron County, it is critical that you consult an experienced marijuana defense attorney right away.
Kenedy County Marijuana Defense Attorney in Texas
The Law Offices of David Sloane, PLLC has years of specialized experience defending against marijuana charges of all kinds. A former Police Lieutenant with insider knowledge on criminal investigations and crime scene analysis, David Sloane has now dedicated himself to using this special police experience to fight outdated marijuana laws. He has defended charges involving everything from possession of small amounts for personal use up to federal felony marijuana trafficking.
While some parts of the country may be getting more relaxed when it comes to marijuana, Texas and the federal government still treat it very harshly. To minimize the damage that a conviction can cause to your freedom and livelihood, contact the Law Offices of David Sloane, PLLC at (817) 810-0088 or complete our online contact form today to schedule your free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
Overview of Kenedy County in Texas
- The Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint
- Law Enforcement Resources
- Court Resources
- Our Practice Areas
- Additional Resources
The Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint, recently renamed in 2019 from the Sarita Border Patrol Checkpoint, 14 miles south of Sarita in Kenedy County on U.S. Highway 77. Federal law enforcement officials use drug-sniffing K9 units to assist in vehicle inspections that result in many high-profile drug busts yearly as well as many more minor drug arrests that never make the news.
The checkpoint is supposed to combat international drug smuggling and illegal immigration and is not designed to apprehend individuals for minor drug crimes. Nonetheless, countless people have been stopped and arrested at the checkpoint for petty marijuana offenses. People coming back from enjoying a vacation in Mexico or nearby South Padre Island have suddenly and unexpectedly found themselves in handcuffs.
Even small possession cases can result in severe consequences. For larger amounts above what could be considered personal use, penalties increase greatly. Any marijuana charge, big or small, can have a devastating impact on your life. Consult a marijuana defense attorney if you were stopped at the checkpoint in Kenedy County for any cannabis-related crime.
Law Enforcement Resources
Kingsville Station, US Customs and Border Protection – Kingsville Station in the U.S. Border Rio Grande Valley Sector is in charge of operating the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint in Sarita, TX. Visit this site for information about Border Patrol history and jurisdiction in this area.
Kingsville Station
2422 E. Senator Carlos Truan Blvd.
Kingsville, TX 78363
Phone: (361) 595-8700
Fax: (361) 221-9821
Kenedy County Sheriff – Sheriff Ramon Salinas, III entered office on January 1st, 2017.
Kenedy County Sheriff Ramon Salinas, III
P.O. Box 10
Sarita, TX 78385-0010
Phone: (361) 294-5205
Fax: (361) 294-5260
Email: [email protected] Kenedy County Sheriff's Office
175 Cuellar Ave.
Sarita, TX 78385
Phone: (361) 294-5205
Court Resources
Kenedy County Judge – The Honorable Louis E. “Bud” Turcotte III serves as County Judge for Kenedy. Turcotte has jurisdiction over most misdemeanor criminal cases, including Class A and Class B misdemeanors that involve jail time, and also serves as the appellate judge for appeals from the Justice of the Peace.
County Judge
The Honorable Louis E. “Bud” Turcotte III
151 N. Mallory Sarita, TX 78385
Phone: (361) 294-5224
Fax: (361) 294-5244
Kenedy County Courthouse – The local courthouse for Kenedy County is located at:
101 East La Parra Avenue Sarita, TX 78385 Phone: (361)294-5224
Our Practice Areas
Even while some states legalize marijuana for recreational use or reform marijuana laws in other ways (such as by decriminalizing possession of small amounts), under Texas and federal law cannabis continues to be treated as an illegal drug with stiff penalties. Consequences include hefty fines, substantial time behind bars, and the presence of a conviction on your criminal record for life.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of David Sloane, PLLC defend against all manner of marijuana-related charges, including:
- Marijuana trafficking
- Delivery of marijuana
- Marijuana possession
- Felony marijuana offenses
- Marijuana DWI
- Positive THC drug test probation violation
- Arrests of visitors from out of state
- Illegal searches
- Highway interdiction
- Asset forfeiture
- Cite and release
Additional Resources
Texas Statutes – The Texas Statutes (also called Texas Codes) are an extensive collection of written laws adopted by the Texas Legislature that define crimes and related penalties, including marijuana-related offenses. Follow the link to research the specific laws that cover the charges against you.
Corpus Christi NORML– The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is a non-profit organization that advocates for the legalization of marijuana and other changes in the law. Although there is a Rio Grande Valley chapter, the branch in nearby Corpus Christi is larger and more active. Visit the website to learn more about marijuana laws or get involved in the fight to change them.
Lawyer for Marijuana Crimes in Kenedy County, Texas
If you were unlucky on your trip through Kenedy County and were arrested at a Border Patrol checkpoint or elsewhere on U.S. Highway 77, you should consult with a skilled marijuana defense attorney right away to come up with an effective strategy to fight your charges.
The Law Offices of David Sloane, PLLC uses our knowledge of both the law enforcement and defense sides of the law to fight to give you the best possible chances at a desirable outcome. We accept clients from the panhandle to Big Bend and everywhere in between, in all 254 Texas counties. If you were arrested in Kenedy County or nearby, contact us today by calling (817) 810-0088 or filling out our online form to schedule a free initial consultation.