46-year-old Nathan Nichols entered a guilty plea in reference to operating illegal gambling businesses.

The criminal charges stemmed from an investigation initiated by the Corpus Corpus Christi Police Department Narcotics and Vice Division, with assistance from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.   

Nichols was the co-owner of two local gambling businesses, both facilities containing illegal gaming devices.  The establishments contained sweepstakes games which patrons operated by using computers and monitors, rather than casino-style equipment.  The games are software-based and function as traditional slot-machine games or “8-liners.” However, the action of the slot-machine reels is simulated on a computer screen rather than on mechanical reels. Those playing the machines place bets before each spin and receive winnings in cash. 

State Law dictates that an individual cannot win a wholesale value available from a single play of the game or device of not more than 10 times the amount charged to play the game or device once or $5, whichever is less.

Through their investigation, NVID Investigators requested and served an evidentiary search warrant at a residence belonging to Nichols.  The search warrant was a culmination of an extensive, long-term investigation into the illegal gambling businesses.  During the course of the evidentiary search, evidence of stolen government property was located.  Homeland Security Investigators, along with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division led the investigation of the stolen Government Property. 

All charges were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s with the US Department of Justice.  During prosecution, Nichols admitted to operating illegal gambling businesses in Corpus Christi.  As part of his guilty pleas, Nichols agreed to forfeit a total of $2,185,218.73, which were combined proceeds from his illegal activity.  Sentencing has been set for June 21, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.  Nichols faces up to five years in prison for each conviction. 

Nichols has been and will remain in custody, pending that hearing.

Corpus Christi Police Department Narcotics and Vice Division intends to continue their efforts to investigate illegal gambling businesses in the near future.

Game rooms who afford a player an opportunity to obtain, and players who accept anything of value, will be charged accordingly.  A violation of keeping a gambling place (47.04), possession of a gambling device (47.06), or promotion of gambling (47.03) are Class A misdemeanors; each punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.  

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local, state and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling.  Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.

The Corpus Christi Police Department will work alongside the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office to aggressively enforce all gambling related offenses. 

Through our partnerships, we can accomplish an enhanced positive impact not only on crime, but also on a variety of issues that impact our community.

At approximately 10:30 pm on Sunday, March 20, 2022, officers were dispatched to Comanche and Port, in reference to a Welfare Check. 

The call notes provided that a woman was walking along the 2300 block of Comanche Street, asking bystanders to take her infant child.    

Upon arrival, officers made contact with the reporting parties, as well as the offender and infant who is less than two-weeks old.    

During the investigation, officers received information that 25-year-old Yessenia Cardenas was walking down the street and was attempting to give her infant away.  The reporting parties told officers that they stopped to speak with Yessenia, and it was at this time that she offered the infant to them.  The witnesses took possession of the child and immediately called 911.

The officers contacted a medic unit to check on the welfare of the infant and as well as Yessenia, as she appeared to be under the influence of an unknown narcotic.  The officers also contacted Child Protection Services; a case worker was dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident.  

At the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, the infant was taken into custody by Child Protective Services.  Yessenia Cardenas was placed into custody and charged with Abandoning or Endangering a Child, which is a State Jail Felony.

At approximately 8:35 pm on March 18, 2022, officers were dispatched to the 11,000 block of Gulf Beach, near Mile Marker 199, for a citizen assist reference a disturbance.  The call was quickly upgraded to a shooting with injuries.  

Upon arrival, officers located 3 shooting victims.   A male in his 30’s was described to have serious injuries and was last updated to be in critical condition.  A 19-year-old male and a 16-year-old female were described to have non-life-threatening injuries.  

Officers are working to positively identify a suspect and investigators are out on scene working to determine what led up to the shooting.  As of this update, we do not have a suspect in custody. 

As soon as we have additional suspect description or any additional information related to this investigation, we will update our blotter post accordingly.  

If you have information related to this incident and would like to keep your identity secret, please call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. 

Investigators want your help to discover any new information that will help catch a murder suspect, with this Corpus Christi Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week.

At approximately 3:00 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, officers were dispatched to the 3700 block of Lincoln Street reference a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 17-year-old James Roy Ross with serious injuries sustained from being shot. James later succumbed to his injuries.

Officers were advised that James was standing out in his front yard when an unknown person fired shots in his direction, fatally striking him.

Today is the 11th anniversary of James’ death and we want to give his family some closure.

If you know who is responsible, or have any additional information about this murder, call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. The information you provide to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators would like help from the public to locate a missing person.

Daniel Basaldu was reported missing on March 09, 2022 by family members.  Daniel was last heard from on December 26, 2021.

Daniel is described as a 55-year-old male who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs approximately 210 pounds, with brown eyes. 

If you have any information that may assist Investigators or know the whereabouts of Daniel, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling (361) 886-2840 or by calling (361) 886-2600.

Update: Toni Moore has been located. Thank you for your assistance.

Corpus Christi Police Investigators would like help from the public to locate a missing person.

Toni Moore was reported missing on January 25, 2022 by family members.  Toni was last heard from on October 05, 2021.

Toni is described as a 29-year-old female who stands 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs approximately 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.  Toni may currently have short hair.  

If you have any information that may assist Investigators or know the whereabouts of Toni Moore, please call Corpus Christi Police Department directly by calling (361) 886-2840 or by calling (361) 886-2600.

The Corpus Christi Police Department would like for all visitors to have a safe and fun time while visiting our beaches during spring break.

Take the time to view this video presented by the National Ocean Service on “Rip Current Safety for Kids”.

You can also get daily updates on surf conditions by monitoring the City of Corpus Christi Beaches Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CCBeaches).

Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division conducted an undercover operation last week, checking compliance at several beer and wine retailers across the city.   Four of the retailers visited by Investigators sold alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21.  NVID’s goal is zero.

During the operation, cooperating individuals, under the direction and close supervision of NVID Detectives attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages from various businesses throughout the city. All individuals are over the age of eighteen but under twenty-one, the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages in Texas. NVID Detectives checked several businesses, to include convenience stores and bars.  Employees at four locations sold alcoholic beverages to the underage operatives.

The employees who sold the alcoholic beverages, face a charge of Sale to Minors (TABC 106.3) a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4000. NVID will forward the results of this operation to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission for administrative action against the permittees, which could include revocation, suspension and/or fines.

Last weeks operation was conducted in advance of next weekend’s anticipated influx of Spring Breakers, as underage drinkers from colleges and high schools flock to Corpus Christi beaches to enjoy the sun and fun. The goal behind last weeks operation is to ensure that all Spring Break visitors to our city can enjoy their time here without the tragedy that often accompanies underage drinking. Alcohol is a common denominator in underage traffic fatalities, and frequently leads to numerous other negative consequences. 

NVID will send letters to all of the businesses that were inspected, including those that were in compliance.  For those businesses that were not in compliance, future infractions will likely result in the immediate arrest of the offenders.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat underage drinking and to help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

Rip Currents can be dangerous if you do not know how to survive one.

Take the time to view this video presented by the National Ocean Service on how to identify a rip current . You can also get daily updates on surf conditions by monitoring the City of Corpus Christi-Government Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/citygov).

At approximately 4:29 am on March 08, 2022 officers were dispatched to the area of the 4800 block of S Alameda for a shooting with injuries.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 28-year-old male who was found to have been shot and had serious injuries.  The male was transported to a local hospital for treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators spoke to several witnesses and were able to identify a suspect.

Investigators made contact with 29-year-old Robert Johnson, who communicated that he would come to the main police station to turn himself in.  At approximately 9:30 pm on March 08, 2022, Johnson arrived at the main station and was met by Homicide Detectives.    

After speaking with Investigators in our Criminal Investigations Division, Johnson was transported to the City Detention Center for processing at approximately 12:00 am on March 09, 2022 Johnson was booked in on a Murder charge.

If you have any information about this murder, please call Corpus Christi Police Robbery & Homicide Detectives 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=.