CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old man has been ordered to prison for his role in the distribution of cocaine.

Michael Casas pleaded guilty May 27.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Casas to serve 60 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.

The investigation revealed Casas was planning to sell two kilograms of cocaine on March 17, 2026. On that date, a Corpus Christi Police Department K9 Unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle. Casas initially pulled over but accelerated as the officer approached, leading them in a pursuit on Highway 44 in Corpus Christi.

During that time, authorities observed Casas throw a brick‑shaped package from the vehicle. He eventually stopped and surrendered.

Law enforcement recovered the package and found it to contain two kilograms of cocaine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted the case.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Ahead of a scheduled briefing to the Corpus Christi City Council this morning by Police Chief Mike Markle, the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) has issued a clarification regarding the department’s stance on automated license plate recognition technology to address community concerns surrounding Flock camera systems.

Chief Markle will address Council members to detail the specific technologies used by local law enforcement, emphasizing the distinction between private surveillance hardware located within city limits and the official systems operated by CCPD.

The Corpus Christi Police Department does not own, operate, access, or utilize data collected by Flock camera systems. While several Flock cameras are installed throughout Corpus Christi, they are independently owned and operated by private businesses, organizations, and other non-city entities.

CCPD does not receive or access data collected by privately operated Flock networks.

CCPD utilizes a separate, dedicated license plate recognition system known as Vigilant. The Vigilant system captures only a vehicle’s license plate number along with the specific date and time it passes a camera. It does not collect personal identifying information, such as the registered owner’s name, personal history, or driving records.

“The Corpus Christi Police Department understands the community’s concerns surrounding data collection, storage, and privacy,” Police Chief Mike Markle said. “We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our technology, its capabilities, and our strict operational policies directly with the City Council and the public.”

CCPD remains committed to transparency and maintaining public trust while utilizing modern technology to support public safety across Corpus Christi.

UPDATE 08/25/2026 6:00 PM

On August 25, 2026, Detectives with CCPD’s Robbery/Homicide Division were able to obtain a Murder warrant for Julian Hinojosa (24). Hinojosa was taken into custody in the 3000 block of Horne Rd with the assistance of CCPD’s SWAT Team, Drone Unit, Gang Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Hinojosa was transported to Main Station to be formally interviewed by Detectives and then transported to the City Detention Center.

Julian Hinojosa (03/26/2002)

On August 25, 2026, at approximately 1:21 am, Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Brooks Dr in reference to a Shooting. 

When Officers arrived, they located a male in his early 20’s with a gunshot wound and immediately began administering first aid until Medics arrived. 

Due to the nature of the call, Detectives with CCPD’s Robbery/Homicide Division were called to the scene.

Multiple people were detained at the location and will be transported to Main Station for formal interviews.

After preliminary investigation, it was determined that a disturbance occurred prior to the male being shot. 

The male was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

The parties are known to each other. This is an isolated incident and an active and ongoing investigation. 

If you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

Due to the Auto Theft Task Force attending the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators conference next week, 68A Vehicle Identification Number inspections are cancelled on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.  Inspections will resume on September 15, 2026.
Thank you for your understanding!

On August 22, 2026, at 6:48 pm Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Everhart Rd. in reference to a shooting.

When officers arrived, they located one male victim. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers contacted several witnesses at the location who advised two males got into an altercation when one male pulled out a gun and shot the other. The offender retreated to his apartment.

Officers were directed to the apartment. A short time later the male offender was taken into custody without further incident. The firearm was recovered.

Offender Joshua Sanchez-Bruce (34) was transported to the City Detention Center for booking. He was charged with aggravated assaulted with a deadly weapon and violation of a court order.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding the investigation please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

On August 21, 2026, at 10:42 pm Corpus Christi Police Officers were dispatched to the 5200 block of IH 37 Access Rd. in reference to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they located one injured female. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Several subjects were detained at the scene.

Robbery Homicide Detectives were called out to assist.

The individuals detained were later transported to the main police station for interviewing.

Preliminary investigation showed there was a large fight involving multiple subjects. During the altercation a female victim was stabbed.

Detectives were able to identify the offender and secure a murder warrant. The individual was located on Treyway Ln. and taken into custody without incident.

Offender Emilio Ybarra (39) was transported to the main police station for interviewing. He was then taken to the City Detention Center for booking.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding the investigation please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

On Friday, August 21 at 2:24 pm. Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department were dispatched to the 4600 block of Yorktown Blvd. in reference to a stabbing. 

When Officers arrived they observed a male being detained by citizens. Citizens advised Officers that the male suspect being detained had stabbed a female victim. The suspect was quickly detained by officers and placed into a unit. Officers observed the male to be in distress and immediately called for assistance from the Corpus Christi Fire Department. 

The male suspect and female victim were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. The male suspect was later pronounced deceased. 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation.

If you have any information regarding the investigation please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

UPDATE 08/19/2026 12:35 PM:

Bellino has NEVER been employed by the Corpus Christi Police Department. He was employed with the Corpus Christi Independent School District Police Department as a reserve Peace Officer.

A CCISD employee is in the Nueces County Jail this morning, charged with Second Degree Felony Sexual Assault of a Child. Corey Bellino, age 51, was arrested following a traffic stop on State Highway 44 & Rand Morgan Road by CCPD Patrol and Gang Unit Officers.

On Tuesday, Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division Special Victims Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Bellino following the outcry of a former CCISD student.  Bond on the warrant was set at $1,500,000. 

The victim alleged that Bellino engaged in sex acts with the victim on the Mary Carroll High School campus, as well as, during school sponsored extracurricular activities while the victim was an underage student at the school.  Bellino at the time was an instructor and girls wrestling coach.  Detectives were assisted on this investigation by the CCISD Police Department and Carroll High School Administration.

This is an active and ongoing investigation and Detectives are continuing to attempt to identify additional witnesses or victims.  If you or anyone you know believes that you have more information regarding the investigation, or that you feel you were a victim, please contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=.

Corey Bellino (10/24/1974)

On March 15, 2025, the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Gang Unit observed a known wanted subject operating a motor vehicle.  When Officers approached the vehicle to take the driver into custody, they observed drug paraphernalia and a handgun in the area of the subject inside of the vehicle. The subject was taken into custody for the active warrant. The passenger, Hector Deleon, also came back with an active municipal court warrant out of Corpus Christi.

During a probable cause search of the vehicle, Officers located methamphetamines, black tar heroin, heroin, crack cocaine, psilocybin shrooms, THC, marijuana Xanax, and an additional firearm. At this time, the driver took responsibility for everything located inside of the vehicle.

DEA Agents and Task Force Officers further investigated this case and were able to determine that Deleon was more involved than he initially claimed at the time of the traffic stop. A federal arrest warrant was applied for and granted for Deleon in July of 2025. The Gang Unit was able to give the DEA a new address for Deleon within hours of the DEA learning that Deleon had moved.

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and CCPD’s Gang Unit took Deleon into custody for his warrant. A search warrant was obtained and executed for the residence, and additional narcotics and firearms were located at that time.

Deleon was convicted of multiple narcotics and weapons charges and will serve 15 years federal time and an additional 5 years of supervised release.

This was a yearlong investigation and an immense collaborative effort between our CCPD Gang Unit, CCPD DEA Agents, Task Force Officers, and our federal partners.

Hector Deleon (39)

Update to the City of Corpus Christi News Release:

Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Joel Garza (44) and secure two warrants for Deadly Conduct Discharge Firearm-Weapons and Aggravated Assault-Deadly Weapon. Garza was taken into custody shortly after.