Illegal immigrant kills one at state Rep. Flores' ranch

Illegal immigrant kills one at state Rep. Flores' ranch, police say
by: Sean Gaffney

NEAR MISSION - Police say a suspected illegal immigrant working for a Democratic state representative brutally beat another man to death with a bat Monday morning.

Froylen Casares, 24, was working at a ranch owned by state Rep. Kino Flores near the intersection of North Tropser and Yukon Roads when he killed a young Hispanic male whose name authorities have not released, said Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño.

"It was a very bloody, very bloody, very gruesome crime scene," Treviño said.

Authorities continue to search for Casares, of Honduras, who fled the scene before they arrived at about 5:30 a.m. Flores, who has owned the ranch for eight years and uses it to ride his horses, said he hired the man without checking his background because he didn't appear to be an illegal immigrant.

"He was preppy. He looked the part. No indication. He fit in extremely well, he had family members here," the Democrat from Palmview said. "It just looks bad in general ... of course it's going to grab more traction. I certainly don't want to go around challeng-ing people's status."

Flores, a six-term representative who is running unopposed for reelection this fall, was out of town for the holiday and was reached by phone Monday afternoon. He said he did not know the victim.

Treviño said the suspect's immigration status and whether Flores broke the law was a federal issue that would have to be investi-gated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Flores purchased the five-acre tract in 1986, expanding it in April this year with an additional six acres. The property was appraised at $143,648, according to county records.


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Ok what? He "looked the part" ? Is Keno Flores able to tell immigration status by the way people dress?

It's a shame the democratic party re-elected this guy -- with $50,000 dollars of Craddick's Republican money -- so he could do something like this.

RGV Delegation -- Texas Democratic Convention

The convention was a fascinating experience! I had the honor of going as a delegate at large for Senate District 27. From there, my caucus elevated me as the committee member for the Nominations Committee for Party Officials. To say the least it was a really frustrating experience.

In the showdown between David Van Os and Boyd Richie the group kept trying to shut down questions being asked for the chairman. Despite my persistent effort to get a question in -- specifically, what their opinions were on endorsing candidates (ie; Boyd endorsing Obama) the chairwoman wouldn't recognize me and instead threw the questions to what I can only assume were her trusted insiders.

I support Boyd as chairperson, but I couldn't believe we weren't able to get a question off despite being elected by our entire delegation for just this purpose!

Another fascinating tidbit for valleyites is that Jesse Contreras stole an at-large position off the floor and ignored our calls all week trying to confirm wether or not he would be attending the convention. Apparently he is too important to even take a call. Check the sign in sheets -- Jesse Contreras DID NOT attend the convention despite taking a delegate spot.

Kudos to Juan Maldonado for going despite losing his election bid.

I am going to check the sign in sheets and put up for a matter of record who did attend and who didn't -- but from what I saw on the floor I am very disappointed with certain new members of our political scene.

State Representative Aaron Pena was there the whole time. Good for him!
Senator Eddie Lucio came off his high horse to speak to our delegation as well. Briefly, but still impressive.

I saw the always wonderful State Representative Veronica Gonzalez as well.

As for the rest of you -- very disappointed.