County Attorney Press Releases : Hot checks, Jo Anne Bernal, El Paso County Attorney's Office

Dozens Of Individuals Arrested During A 3-Day Hot Check Roundup

edominguez — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:20:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the arrest of 58 individuals with outstanding warrants during a 3-day roundup that ended Thursday night. Thirty six officers from the El Paso Sheriff's Office, County Constables Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and investigators from the County Attorney's Office participated in the operation.

In addition to individuals arrested with Theft by Check warrants, others were arrested on other types of misdemeanor and felony warrants.

During the 3 days of the roundup, our office was able to collect $18,248 in restitution to local merchants. That amount, along with the $116,000 collected since the beginning of the amnesty period on March 14, 2012, brings the total collections for the amnesty program to more than $134,000; and cleared more than 870 checks hot checks.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal explained that most victims of hot check cases are small business owners who don't have the resources to collect on the checks themselves.

"Bad checks affect everyone, because they cause merchants to increase the prices of goods and services to make up their losses. With the hot check roundups, we seek to assist merchants in recovering losses from intentionally written bad checks," Bernal said.

"We will continue to aggressively pursue those persons with outstanding hot check warrants and encourage them to pay before they are arrested," Bernal added.

"I want to thank the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for their support in organizing the roundups, particularly Sergeant John Rodriguez from the Warrants Division. Also I would like to thank the Constables from all the Precincts and their deputies, as well as Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Barbara Perez, who served as the evening magistrate. The combined effort of the parties involved helped make this hot check roundup a success," Bernal concluded.

In the upcoming weeks investigators from the County Attorney's Office will continue their search for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.

Individuals can avoid arrest by paying their outstanding hot checks as soon as possible at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount.

In addition, individuals can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at https://www.epcounty.com/hotchecks/

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051.

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2012 Hot Check Roundups Results Press Release.pdf

Only Three Days Left To Take Advantage Of The Hot Check Amnesty Period

edominguez — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:32:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that more than 205 individuals have taken advantage of the hot check amnesty period since its implementation on March 14, 2012. During the first 27 days of the amnesty period the County Attorney's Office has received payment of 415 hot checks worth $73,000.

Bernal also reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that the amnesty period ends Friday April 13, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.

Individuals who take advantage of the amnesty period and pay their outstanding balances before Friday, April 13, 2012, will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant roundup that will be conducted by investigators of the El Paso County Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Additionally, they will not have to pay the extra fees related to incarceration such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

A list with the names and addresses of more than 2,700 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 2.1 million dollars was made public on April 1, 2012 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main webpage at www.epcounty.com. Additionally, several local media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web sites to make it easier for the public to access the information.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

El Paso County Attorney's Northeast Annex Office

4641 Cohen St., Suite D

M- F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at https://www.epcounty.com/hotchecks/. Some individuals may be eligible for a payment plan.

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051 or visit the El Paso County Attorney's Office web site at: www.epcounty.com/CA.

2012 Hot Check Amnesty Expires 3 days Press Release.pdf

Wednesday Is The Last Day To Pay And Avoid Publication Of Name In The Hot Check Warrant List

edominguez — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:31:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today reminded hot check writers that tomorrow, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 is the last day to pay to avoid the publication of their names and addresses in the hot check warrant list.

The list with the names of individuals with outstanding warrants will be published on Sunday April 1, 2012, by the Diario de El Paso newspaper, the El Paso County website (http://www.epcounty.com/), and on other local media outlets.

The publication of the warrants list kicks-off a two-week amnesty period that runs from Sunday April 1^st to Friday April 13, 2012.

Individuals who pay before the end of the amnesty period will not have to pay the extra fees related to incarceration such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:

· El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

· El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Additionally, during the amnesty period (April 1-13, 2012), residents of Northeast El Paso can make their payments in person at the following location:

· El Paso County Attorney’s Northeast Annex Office

4641 Cohen St., Suite D

M- F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

Since March 14, 2012, when the roundups were announced, more than 60 individuals have taken advantage of the amnesty program, paying off 164 checks worth more than $38,000.

There are currently more than 2,700 names in the County's hot checks warrants list who owe local merchants more than $2.13 million dollars. Last fiscal year (2010-2011) the Hot Check Unit collected more than $905,000 in outstanding hot checks.

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2012 Hot Check Warrant List Publication 2 Press Release.pdf

2do Boletín 2012 Amnistia Publicacion Lista de Ordenes de Arresto.pdf

2012 Hot-Check Warrant Amnesty Period And Roundup Announced

edominguez — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:23:00 GMT

Arrest roundups to follow publication of the names

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal and El Paso County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jesus Campa today announced that they will be joined by Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, in conducting a roundup of individuals with outstanding hot check warrants in El Paso County.

This cooperative effort by local law enforcement to arrest hot check writers will be preceded by the publication of the names and addresses of thousands of individuals with outstanding warrants, and an amnesty period in which residents can pay their outstanding amounts without being arrested.

The list with the names of individuals with outstanding warrants will be published on Sunday April 1, 2012 by many local media outlets and in the County's website. Individuals who want to avoid the publication of their names must pay their outstanding balances in full by Wednesday March 28, 2012.

The publication of the warrants list kicks-off a two-week amnesty period that runs from Sunday April 1^st to Friday April 13, 2012.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:

· El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

· El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Additionally, during the amnesty period (April 1-13, 2012), residents of Northeast El Paso can make their payments in person at the following location:

· El Paso County Attorney’s Northeast Annex Office

4641 Cohen St., Suite D

M- F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

(915) 858-0631

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA

There are currently more than 2,700 names in the County's hot checks warrants list who owe local merchants more than $2.13 million dollars. During last fiscal year (2010-2011) the Hot Check Unit collected more than $905,000 in outstanding hot checks. So far, during the first 5 months of fiscal year 2011-2012 (October-February), the County Attorney's Office has collected over $330,000.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal is encouraging individuals with outstanding warrants for writing hot checks to take advantage of this opportunity. In order to facilitate the payment of outstanding amounts, County Attorney's Office will be accepting payment plans for qualifying individuals.

"For many years now, the County Attorney's Office has been supporting local businesses by collecting their insufficient funds checks at no cost. We believe the public display of the names of individuals with warrants might serve as a deterrent for hot checks writers, and will motivate some of them to come forward to pay any outstanding amounts before they face serious consequences," Bernal said.

"Hot check writers who do not seize this opportunity will be arrested and will face criminal charges," Bernal concluded.

2012 Hot Check Warrant List Publication Press Release.pdf

Boletín 2012 Amnistia Publicacion Lista de Ordenes de Arresto.pdf

2012 Hot Check Roundup Calendar Media.pdf

El Paso County Attorney To Offer Services to Northeast Residents

edominguez — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:35:00 GMT

On Friday, December 2, 2011, El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal will hold an Open House for its new office in Northeast El Paso.

The opening of this new office is part of a plan by County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal to provide free services at locations that are closer and more accessible to victims of crime who live in the outlying areas of the County.

WHO: El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal

WHAT: Grand Opening of new office in Northeast El Paso

WHEN: Friday December 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: El Paso County Northeast Annex

4641 Cohen St., Suite D (County Veterans Assistance Office)

NE Office Grand Opening Press Advisory.pdf

Dozens Of Hot Check Writers Arrested During 3-Day Roundup

edominguez — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:00:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced the arrest of 54 individuals with hot check warrants during a 3-day roundup that ended Thursday night. Thirty officers from the El Paso Sheriff's Office, County Constables Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, and investigators from the County Attorney's Office participated in the operation.

During the round ups the officers not only cleared 50 Theft by Check warrants, but also 50 additional misdemeanor warrants and 4 felony warrants.

Among those facing multiple charges was 40-year old Salvador Morales (AKA Salvador Muñoz) who was arrested on Wednesday March 9, 2011, at a residence in East El Paso. At the time of his arrest Morales, a suspected Barrio Azteca gang member, faced one misdemeanor theft by check charge and one Deceptive Business Practices charge. While booking him in the county jail, officers learned that Morales had an outstanding warrant from the State of Nevada, where he faces drug charges for trafficking with methamphetamines. Morales remains in the County jail waiting to be extradited to Nevada and his bond was set at $10,000.

Individuals arrested during the roundup also paid more than $36,000 in restitution to local merchants. That amount, along with the $140,000 collected since the beginning of the amnesty period on January 28, 2011, brings the total collections for the amnesty program to more than $177,000.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said the money collected will be returned to the victims.

"We will continue to aggressively pursue those persons with outstanding hot check warrants. I encourage those persons to pay," Bernal said

"I want to thank the El Paso Sheriff's Office for their support in organizing the round ups, particularly Sergeant John Rodriguez from the Warrants Division. Also I would like to thank the Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 and their deputies, who helped make this hot check round up the most successful yet," Bernal concluded.

In the upcoming weeks investigators from the County Attorney's Office will continue their search for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.

Individuals can avoid arrest by paying their outstanding hot checks as soon as possible at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount.

In addition, individuals can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051.

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2011 Hot Check Roundup Results Press Release.pdf

Amnesty Period Ends Today With 445 Offenders Paying More Than $116,000 in Hot Checks

edominguez — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:58:00 GMT

Arrest roundups may begin unannounced immediately after

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that 445 individuals took advantage of the 2011 Hot Check Amnesty. Since January 28, 2011, when the amnesty was announced, County Attorney's Office received payment of 517 hot checks that represent more than $116,500 for local merchants. During the amnesty period, persons who paid their outstanding balances avoided payment of various charges, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond after arrest.

Individuals who did not take advantage of the amnesty period will be targeted during upcoming county-wide warrant round-ups being coordinated by the County Attorney's Office with the assistance of the El Paso Sheriff's Office, and Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.

Individuals with outstanding hot-checks may attempt to avoid arrest in the upcoming roundups by paying as soon as possible. However, the amnesty period is over, and law enforcement officers can conduct arrests at any time without prior notice. Payments can be made at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA

The list with the names of individuals and outstanding amounts will remain posted at the El Paso County Attorney's Office web page at www.epcounty.com/CA.

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051.

During last fiscal year (2009-2010) the Hot Check Unit collected more than $930,000 in outstanding hot checks. So far, during the first 5 months of fiscal year 2010-2011 (October-February), the County Attorney's Office has collected over $392,000.

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2011 Hot Check Amnesty Ends.pdf

Hundreds Of Residents Take Advantage Of The Hot Check Amnesty Period

edominguez — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:55:00 GMT

Few hours left to take advantage of the amnesty. Arrest roundups may begin immediately after

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today revealed that more than 340 individuals have taken advantage of the hot check amnesty period since its implementation on January 28, 2011. During the first 27 days of the amnesty period the County Attorney's Office has received payment of 393 hot checks that represent more than $107,000 for local merchants.

Bernal also reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that the amnesty period ends tomorrow Friday February 25, 2011, at 5:00 p.m.

Individuals who take advantage of the amnesty period and pay their outstanding balances before the end of the amnesty period will avoid arrest during an upcoming countywide warrant round-up being coordinated by the County Attorney's Office with the assistance of the El Paso Sheriff's Office and Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Additionally, those individuals who pay by the amnesty period will also avoid additional fees such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

A list with the names and addresses of more than 3,000 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 2.7 million dollars was made public on February 13, 2011 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main webpage at (http://www.epcounty.com/). Additionally, several local media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web-sites to make it easier for the public to access the information.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA

In addition, for the first time the County Attorney's Office will be accepting payment plans for qualifying individuals in order to facilitate the payment of outstanding amounts.

During last fiscal year (2009-2010) the Hot Check Unit collected more than $930,000 dollars in outstanding hot checks. So far, during the first 5 months of fiscal year 2010-2011 (October-February), the County Attorney's Office has collected over $383,000.

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2011 Hot Check Amnesty Last Day.pdf

2011 Hot-Check Warrant Amnesty Period And Roundup Announced

edominguez — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:30:00 GMT

Arrest roundups to follow publication of the names

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal and El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles today announced that they will be joined by Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 in conducting a roundup of individuals with outstanding hot check warrants in El Paso County.

This cooperative effort by local law enforcement to arrest hot check writers will be preceded by an amnesty period in which residents can pay their outstanding amounts without being arrested.

The amnesty period runs from Monday, February 7 through Friday, February 18, 2011. Before the amnesty period starts, the County Attorney's Office will make public the names and addresses of thousands of individuals with outstanding hot-check warrants. The list will be published on Sunday, February 6, 2011 on the County of El Paso's web-site and other local media outlets. Additionally, the full list of names will be published in that Sunday's edition of Diario de El Paso.

Individuals with pending warrants who want to avoid the publication of their names must pay their outstanding balances by Friday, February 4, 2011.

Individuals who take advantage of the amnesty period and pay their outstanding balances before Friday, February 18, 2011, will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant round-up. Additionally, they will save money by not having to pay additional fees, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA

There are currently more than 3,075 names in the County's hot checks warrants list who owe local merchants more than $2.76 million dollars. During last fiscal year (2009-2010) the Hot Check Unit collected more than $930,000 dollars in outstanding hot checks. So far, during the first 4 months of fiscal year 2010-2011 (October-January), the County Attorney's Office has collected over $270,000.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal is encouraging individuals with outstanding warrants for writing hot checks to take advantage of this opportunity. In order to facilitate the payment of outstanding amounts, for the first time the County Attorney's Office will be accepting payment plans for qualifying individuals.

"The County Attorney's Office supports local small businesses by collecting their insufficient funds checks at no cost. We also want to make it easier for local residents who might have broken the law unintentionally to take care of their responsibilities before they face serious consequences. Hot check writers who do not seize this opportunity will be fully prosecuted for committing a criminal offense; this is their last chance." Bernal explained.

El Paso Sheriff Richard Wiles explained that after the amnesty period is over, officers from all participating law enforcement agencies will go out unannounced in search of those individuals with outstanding warrants who ignored this warning.

"Individuals who write worthless checks are in reality stealing money from the merchant who receives a check. Writing a hot check is a crime, not a civil violation, and my office is committed to fight all types of crimes. We are coordinating with all participating law enforcement agencies to conduct a very efficient county-wide warrant round-up. We will look for offenders anyplace they might be, at their homes, at their places of employment, with relatives," Wiles concluded.

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2011 Hot Check Warrant List Publication Press Release.pdf

2011 Hot Check Warrant Round-Up Calendar (media).pdf