Dozens arrested in Medina County following ‘Operation Blank Check’

More than a dozen people have been arrested as a result of “Operation: Blank Check” in Medina County, the district attorney says.  In total, authorities arrested 20 men and women charging them with engaging in organized criminal activity.  Law enforcement is still tasked with arresting eight more individuals who were indicated by a grand jury in Hondo on August 17.

The alleged activity involved a mail theft, fraud and forgery ring that affected as many as 5,000 victims.  There were also indictments for 11 other people for drug offenses and credit/debit card abuse.

Hondo PD initiated this 17-month investigation after a prior methamphetamine distribution investigation.  “We realized very quickly we may have a little bit more going on then somebody just having somebody’s mail,” said Hondo Police Chief Justin Soza.  “We identified people who were printing checks, who were stealing credit card numbers.”  Warrants were also served during the round-up for other controlled substance offenses and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  This uncovered more illegal activity including counterfeiting, auto theft, unlawful firearms possession and child endangerment.

This investigation remains ongoing, and more state charges will be presented to a grand jury for multiple more suspects in the future.

“Hopefully, this sends a strong message to those that think they’re going to prey on the good people of Medina County,” Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown said.