Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez Jr. is a former

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

member of the Texas House of Representatives. First elected in 2012, Nevárez announced in November 2019 that he would not seek re-election in 2020. This decision was ultimately connected to his arrest for cocaine possession later that month.

Texas House of Representatives

Nevárez ran for and won the seat after longtime Democratic incumbent Pete Gallego left the office to make a successful run for the United States House of Representatives. In May 2017, Republican state representative Matt Rinaldi called Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on protesters holding signs claiming to be illegal immigrants at the state capitol. After calling ICE, Rinaldi said that Nevárez "threatened my life on the House floor." Nevárez said that he put his hands on Rinaldi and told him to take his argument outside the House chamber, but denied threatening Rinaldi’s life. At the end of the 86th Texas legislative session in 2019, ''Texas Monthly'' included Nevárez on its 2019 "Worst Legislators" list. The magazine cited, among other reasons for the negative recognition, "Nevárez had used his own bill to try to turn a favor for a politically influential company that operates a radioactive waste dump in West Texas—a dump that’s not even in his district." In November 2019, Nevárez announced he would not be seeking re-election in 2020. Nevárez chaired the Border Security and Public Safety Committee, which oversaw the law enforcement agencies that were investigating him.

Cocaine possession charges

Surveillance footage showed Nevárez dropping an envelope stuffed with cocaine as he was leaving Austin–Bergstrom International Airport in September 2019. Nevárez confirmed the cocaine was his and that the incident was the reason he was not seeking re-election. A warrant was issued for his arrest on felony

drug possession The prohibition of drugs through sumptuary legislation or religious law is a common means of attempting to prevent the recreational use of certain intoxicating substances. While some drugs are illegal to possess, many governments regulate the ...

charges Charge or charged may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * '' Charge, Zero Emissions/Maximum Speed'', a 2011 documentary Music * ''Charge'' (David Ford album) * ''Charge'' (Machel Montano album) * ''Charge!!'', an album by The Aqu ...

. On November 15, Nevárez turned himself in to authorities, and was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

Personal life

Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, he is the son of Alfonso Nevárez Sr. and Guillermina Castillon.Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 Nevárez was the first member of his family to graduate from college. In 1999, Nevárez graduated from

St. Mary's University School of Law St. Mary's University School of Law is one of the professional graduate schools of St. Mary's University, a private Catholic university located in San Antonio, Texas. Academics The School of Law has an enrollment of about 770 students, pursu ...

References

External links

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Legislative page
Living people Democratic Party members of the Texas House of Representatives Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Texas Texas politicians convicted of crimes 1972 births People from Eagle Pass, Texas University of Texas alumni St. Mary's University School of Law alumni 21st-century American politicians {{Texas-politician-stub