TABC didn't realize McAllen teen had already turned himself in

originally published Saturday, Oct. 6

McALLEN — A senior agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission searching for a teen wanted on charges of supplying alcohol to minors didn't realize the suspect had already turned himself in.

McAllen High School student Juan Enrique Medrano had turned himself in to local authorities after learning from the media that TABC had gone to the campus to apprehend him. The 17-year-old former McHi football player is accused of serving alcohol to minors at an off-campus party.

As she continued looking for him Friday, Medrano was arraigned by a justice of the peace, pleaded not guilty and booked and released on a personal recognizance bond.

Senior TABC Agent Aida Cantu learned of his arraignment and release Saturday when a reporter called her.

“He was?” Cantu said. “That’s news to me.”

Sergio Valdez, Medrano’s attorney, faulted Cantu for her own failed search.

“He’s never evaded the law, he’s never run from TABC,” Valdez said Saturday. “This is a Class A misdemeanor. Why would he abscond?”

He said Cantu didn’t call to tell him about the warrant until Friday afternoon — when Medrano was standing before a judge — even though she had already known Valdez was representing Medrano.

The attorney said someone else at a different location supplied the alcohol at the party with which Medrano is charged in connection.

The teen first came under scrutiny Sept. 10 after reports surfaced that students passed out and were ill after an alcohol-fueled hazing incident at a house party north of McAllen on 17 1/2 Street and Ruth Road.

An anonymous tipster told school district officials that as many as 50 to 60 teenagers participated in an initiation prank involving drinking mixed beverages spiked with Roche pills, a sedative more commonly known as the date rape drug.

The alleged prank resulted in Medrano’s ouster from the football team, considering previous warnings fron Coach Tony Harris about attending parties with alcohol. But no criminal charges have been filed in connection with hazing — though Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño has said the investigation is not closed.

Valdez criticized TABC for inviting news media to Thursday’s arrest attempt at the high school and not being more aggressive to contact him.

If found guilty of supplying alcohol to minors, Medrano could face up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines.

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Zack Quaintance covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.