Borderland Crimes

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El Paso, Texas is one of America’s safest cities. But we’re not immune to crime. This podcast dives deep into stories that grip the borderland community with details that rarely make the news - but deserve to be heard.

Borderland Crimes, from KVIA-TV, ABC-7


    • Nov 27, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 29 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Borderland Crimes podcast is a hidden gem that I recently discovered through a crime junkie group, and I am so glad that I did. Hosted by Stephanie Valle, this podcast delves into true crime cases in the El Paso area with incredible detail and investigative prowess. I have been binging all of the episodes and eagerly await new releases.

    Stephanie Valle truly shines as the host of this podcast. Her storytelling abilities are captivating, drawing listeners in and making them feel like they are transported back to the time when these crimes occurred. The level of detail and accuracy in her research is commendable, leaving no stone unturned in her investigations. She brings a human element to each story, allowing listeners to connect with the victims, witnesses, investigators, and even the accused on a deeper level. The stories told by Valle are not only informative but also heart-wrenching at times, evoking strong emotions from listeners.

    One of the best aspects of The Borderland Crimes podcast is its dedication to providing thorough updates on ongoing cases. Valle keeps up with new events surrounding each case and ensures that she presents the most up-to-date information to her listeners. This commitment to staying current adds an extra layer of engagement for those who want to follow along with these cases as they unfold.

    However, there is one minor gripe with this podcast that some may find bothersome: occasionally, the background music becomes louder than the narration, making it difficult to hear what is being said. While this does not detract significantly from the overall quality of the podcast, it can be a bit frustrating for those who prefer clear audio.

    In conclusion, The Borderland Crimes podcast is a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts looking for riveting stories with meticulous investigative reporting. Stephanie Valle's dedication to detailing these cases while bringing humanity into each narrative truly sets this podcast apart from others in the genre. Despite minor audio issues at times, this podcast remains highly recommended for its informative and emotionally impactful storytelling.



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    Latest episodes from Borderland Crimes

    Woman on the Run: The Search for Desiree Skaf

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 42:07


    Janet Balderrama, 25, was critically wounded in a crash caused by a drunk driver, according to El Paso police. She died on July 15, 2013, leaving behind two children. The woman accused of intoxication manslaughter, Desiree Skaf, 21, eventually accepted a plea deal to serve 7 years in a state prison. A chaotic showdown in the courtroom the day of sentencing led to the judge sending Skaf away for 15 years. Skaf only served three weeks behind bars before she was granted a new trial and released from prison on bond. But while waiting for the new trial, Skaf fled. Many believe she's spent the last eight years evading justice outside the U.S. Janet's mother and best friend both wonder if they will ever receive justice.  

    Family of Mom, Toddler Waits 30 Years for Murder Trial

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 24:01


    Dante Santoni was brutally murdered, days after celebrating his third birthday. He, his mother Connie Villa, 28, along with Villa's longtime partner and Dante's father, Francisco Santoni, 59, were found stabbed to death on Aug. 11, 1994 in their east El Paso home. But it wasn't until 2022 when El Paso police announced they had arrested a suspect responsible for this heinous act. Arturo Ortega Garcia was extradited from Mexico and has been in the El Paso County Jail awaiting trial ever since. There is a court hearing in Ortega Garcia's case on Sept. 26, 2024, but no trial date has been set as of this posting. Villa's surviving siblings talk about their 30-year-long wait for a trial, during which they hope to learn why their sister and nephew were killed. To see photos of Connie, Dante and Francisco, visit the website.

    5 Years Later: Trial for Aug. 3, 2019 Walmart shooter still pending

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2024 16:49


    The November 5, 2024 election could change who leads the prosecution of the Aug. 3 Cielo Vista Walmart shooting trial. As the Borderland marks the fifth anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in El Paso's history, we are nowhere near the start of the state trial for the man who claimed responsibility for the massacre in a federal court last year. The lack of a definitive trial date for the shooter means the two men vying to be El Paso's District Attorney are both preparing prosecution strategies while they hit the campaign trail for November's election. Read the full article: Will Lead Prosecutor on the Walmart Shooting Trial Remain the Same after the Nov. Election?

    Justice Delayed: El Paso Girl Waits 8 Years to Face Accused Rapist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 25:41


    An El Paso girl has tried to move past the sexual assault she endured when she was only 5 years old. The girl is now 17, locked in the grinding wheels of the justice system. Edward Alvarado is facing multiple charges of continuous sex abuse of a child, and has been in jail since 2016 awaiting a jury trial. ABC-7's Stephanie Valle investigates what is to blame for the delay. Listen to Borderland Crimes episode 12 for more background on the state commission investigation into the judge. You can also find that here: A Murder, A Mistrial and Misconduct Allegations

    "Perpetually Tortured:" A Family Vows Vigilance as Killers Plead Guilty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 29:29


    On May 17, 2024, three murder suspects who all had once faced a capital murder charge formally accepted their sentences as part of a plea agreement. Adam Acosta, Tristan Chilton, and Brandon Olsen pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder in the death of Tyler Croke, 23. In 2017, Croke was ambushed in a friend's East El Paso apartment while showering, and was stabbed repeatedly during an attempted robbery sparked over drugs. Seven years later, Croke's family was able to address the killers during the sentencing hearing. This is an update to KVIA's Borderland Crimes podcast episode available in this feed from May 2022, called "We Feel Victimized All Over Again." Learn about the family Kjersten Croke thanked during the District Attorney's news conference in the two episodes found here and here.

    Who Killed Kimberly? Daughter Seeks Answers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 34:13


    Kimberly Esparza was walking home with her husband after watching a football game at a bar Sunday night when she was hit by a car and killed. The driver left the scene, and Esparza, a 32-year-old mother of two, died on the street. More than 12 years after her death, Esparza's oldest daughter is trying to get to the bottom of what happened. She not only wants the driver to come forward, but she also questions the police report that her mother lay down on the road before she was hit. The daughter claims there is evidence casting doubt on the narrative given by the sole witness to the deadly hit-and-run. This is still an open investigation. If you have information on the hit-and-run that killed Kimberly Esparza on Nov. 7, 2011, call Crime Stoppers at (915) 566-8477. If you are in an abusive relationship, call the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence at (915) 593-7300. The YWCA also offers the Transitional Living Center for women in need of emergency shelter. They can be reached at (915) 519-0000. 

    Keeping a Killer Incarcerated

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 24:48


    Jennifer Ann Crecente, 18, was a high school senior and preparing to graduate with honors. On Feb. 15, 2006, she was shot to death by a former boyfriend. Friends and family knew he was controlling, manipulative and later, learned about how he was verbally abusive. Despite having a felony criminal history and evidence showing he planned the shooting, Justin Crabbe was granted a plea deal of 35 years behind bars. His first parole hearing was in Aug. 2023. Jennifer's family, including her grandmother in El Paso, now works to prevent more dating violence among teens, as well as fights to keep the killer behind bars for his full sentence. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Learn the warning signs and help spread awareness among teens by visiting Jennifer Ann's Group: jenniferann.org If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the El Paso Center Against Sexual & Family Violence at (915) 593-7300. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is (800) 799-7233.   

    "I want my mother's story known:" The murder of Mary Corral

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 27:58


    El Pasoan Maria Luisa Corral was found dead on April 29, 2005. The 20-year-old had been beaten and strangled; her lifeless body was shoved inside a bedroom closet of the Lower Valley home belonging to the mother of Corral's boyfriend, 19-year-old Richard Flores.  Flores had thrown himself a birthday party at the house the night before, and was nowhere to be found.  With a history of violence between the couple, El Paso police suspected Flores killed Corral.  He ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison. This is a tragic case of dating violence. The couple had been together off-and-on for four years. They had three children, all under the age of three at the time of the murder, who were suddenly without parents. Nearly 20 years since Corral's murder, one of their daughters, now 21, opens up about her mom, and why she wants people to know what happened. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the El Paso Center Against Sexual & Family Violence at (915) 593-7300. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is (800) 799-7233. 

    The Final Punishment: An eyewitness account of a killer's execution

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 31:14


    ABC-7 anchor and Borderland Crimes podcast producer Stephanie Valle served as a media witness to an execution in Huntsville, TX. On Dec. 4, 2001, the man behind a chilling crime that stunned the El Paso community was arrested. David Renteria was charged with capital murder in the death of Alexandra Flores, 5, who had gone missing more than two weeks earlier from the Lower Valley Walmart. Renteria was ultimately convicted and sentenced to death. That sentence was carried out on Nov. 16, 2023. The only English-language broadcast journalist from El Paso to be in the prison chronicled the lead-up to the lethal injection and the aftermath. This is an update to Borderland Crimes Podcast 11: Lured from the Toy Aisle - The Kidnapping and Murder of Alexandra Flores.

    The Wait for Justice Ends

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 26:58


    At long last, there is a conclusion in the case centered around a deadly shooting outside an east El Paso bar in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2017. The suspected shooter, Moises Galvan, was arrested at the scene. Galvan was accused of murdering RJ Franco, 22, and gravely wounding Franco's friend, David Ortega. Galvan claimed the shooting happened in self-defense. It took nearly 7 years, two trials -- one of those, a mistrial -- a trial judge recusal, and several rotations of both defense and prosecuting attorneys for an El Paso jury to finally deliberate and deliver a verdict. This is an update to the Borderland Crimes podcast episode 12: "A Murder Investigation, a Mistrial, and Misconduct Allegations."

    Abduction at an ATM: The Murder of Sophia Martinez

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2023 74:35


    Sophia Martinez, 18, headed out to a blind date on Friday, March 10, 2000. But she never made it to the dance club in downtown El Paso. Sophia's body was found in the desert just north of the city limits the following day; she had been shot numerous times. The only clue to what happened was a grainy ATM surveillance video showing someone shooting her while she pulled cash. The man in a black beanie then climbed into her car and forced her to drive off at gunpoint. The months that followed were a terrifying time for her family as well as the community, as the killer remained at large. Police managed to track down her killer when a witness could no longer keep the dark secret.

    Attacker Shoots Couple, Kills Wife in Act of Suspected Political Extremism

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 31:11


    The peace and quiet in an affluent, historic Central El Paso neighborhood was shattered by gunfire during a violent attack in Nov. 2020. Georgette Kaufmann, a respected state attorney and beloved mother and wife, was killed. Her husband Daniel was shot, but survived. The gunman escaped into the night, not to be found for almost a year. The suspect's alleged motive leads investigators – and many in the community – to believe he targeted the couple for their political beliefs.

    “We Want to Find Her Body:” The Disappearance and Death of Erika Gaytan

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 62:41


    The date between Erika Gaytan and Ricardo Marquez to a concert ended with Gaytan not returning home. Her family immediately believed something terrible happened to the 29-year-old woman; her mother said there was no way she would abandon her 7-year-old son. Continuous searches throughout El Paso – including in the sprawling desert east of the city – did not yield her remains. Despite her body not being found and a cause of death unknown, police arrested and charged Marquez with her murder. Could the 28-year-old's behavior leading up to and after Gaytan's disappearance be enough to convince a jury he is a killer?

    “We Feel Victimized All Over Again:” Veteran's Murder Unresolved After Five Years

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 41:08


    An Army vet who survived combat in Afghanistan was murdered in El Paso.  Tyler Croke was in the shower at a friend's apartment when he was ambushed, held at gunpoint, then brutally killed. A total of five people – some of them soldiers – were arrested and charged with Tyler's murder. El Paso police investigators said they had wanted to rob Tyler of the drugs he had been selling. And five years later, only two suspects have been sentenced. The family of the murdered veteran fears justice may be out of reach as concerns emerge from on all sides of the case.

    32 Years Later and Still No Resolution in Las Cruces Bowling Alley Massacre

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 10:55


    In this special episode of Borderland Crimes, ABC-7 talks with one of the survivors of the massacre at Las Cruces Bowl on the 32nd anniversary of the crime. Ida Holguin recounts the morning two men held her and six others at gunpoint, shooting them and leaving them for dead. Three of the five who died were children. If you have information in the case, you can call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. For a full retelling of this case, listen to episode #6 of Borderland Crimes called "Massacre at Las Cruces Bowl: America's Largest Unsolved Mass Shooting."

    A Murder Case, a Mistrial and Misconduct Allegations: The Death of RJ Franco

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 32:11


    RJ Franco was shot to death outside of a bar in east El Paso on Jan. 29, 2017. The moments leading up to the shooting, as well as the shooting itself, were caught on surveillance camera and the suspect was arrested at the scene. However, nearly 5 years after his death, Franco's parents are still awaiting justice for the 22-year-old after a mistrial in 2019, and no retrial date is on the calendar. Now, the state of Texas is officially investigating the judge's handling of the case.

    Lured from the Toy Aisle: The Kidnapping and Murder of Alexandra Flores

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 61:53


    A little girl got separated from her family during a holiday shopping trip to a busy retail store and seemed to vanish into thin air. Dread settled in for her family and the entire community once surveillance camera video emerged, showing the 5-year-old girl walking out of the store with an unknown man. The girl was found dead the following morning. It's a case that traumatized a community and reminded parents that danger really can hide in plain sight.

    Blood and Heartbreak: A Murder by the Rio Grande Goes Unsolved for 27 Years

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 44:43


    The murder of Robert Rocha, 43, has remained unsolved for nearly three decades. The retired U.S. Navy veteran and father of three daughters was found shot to death at Mesilla Dam outside Las Cruces, NM, on June 28, 1994. The Dona Ana County Sheriff's detectives still haven't arrested and charged anyone with the crime. But Rocha's daughter thinks someone who was once close to her father -- and is well known by the entire family -- has information that could break open the case. If you have information on this case, call Las Cruces Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

    “We Don’t Know Who Can Have That Kind of Hate:” Family Torn Apart After Son Murders Mother

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 67:06


    When Gloria Marmolejo, a 54-year-old mom and grandmother, was found dead in the southern New Mexico desert in the summer of 2009, her family pleaded for the community’s help to find whoever murdered her. But investigators with the El Paso Police Department believed her son, David, was the killer -- and they learned he was hiding other secrets big enough to destroy his family. If you are in a violent relationship or someone you know is in a dangerous situation, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org. You can also call El Paso's Center Against Sexual and Family Violence at (915) 593-7300 or visit casfv.org.

    A Mass Murder and a Cover-up: The Massacre at Porvenir, TX

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 38:00


    An El Paso woman learned a horrible secret about her family: her great-grandfather had been massacred, along with 14 other men and boys, on Jan. 28, 1918. When Arlinda Valencia learned who was to blame for the terrible act, she realized more needed to be done to expose the dark past of a legendary law enforcement agency, the Texas Rangers.Learn more about the massacre: https://www.porvenirmassacre.org/ 

    Deaths in the Desert: A Serial Killer's Personal Graveyard

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 62:16


    In the summer of 1987, a serial killer stalked the streets of El Paso, Texas. The bodies of six teenage girls and young women were found buried in the desert in the northeast outskirts of town.All had been reported missing earlier that year.An extensive investigation led police to David Leonard Wood, a former convict recently behind bars for rape. Wood was sentenced to death. But 33 years have passed and he remains on death row, proclaiming his innocence as his attorneys - and families of the victims - fight for their versions of justice.Borderland Crimes is sponsored by University Medical Center of El Paso.

    "It was a set-up for my son to die:" The unsolved murder of Terrance Kinard, Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2020 44:30


    On Jan. 26, 2019, Terrance Kinard Jr. was shot outside a house party in Northeast El Paso.The case has gone unsolved despite there likely being many witnesses to the murder of the 20-year-old father and aspiring rapper.His parents are opening up about their pain, their plea for justice and the troubling conflicts their son was experiencing in the months before his death.

    "We Feel Like We're Being Hunted:" 23 Killed at El Paso Walmart in Suspected Hate Crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 29:14


    Michelle Grady is one of the dozens of people who was shot on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, at a Walmart superstore in El Paso, Texas. She survived, but 23 people were killed. The shooter is facing nearly 100 charges, including federal hate crime charges, accused of targeting Hispanics. This is a story of survival and recovery in the year since the Cielo Vista Walmart massacre.

    “This is Bizarre:” Police Ask Local TV News Outlets to Broadcast a Decapitated Head

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 50:48


    In 1995, a woman’s spray-painted body parts, including her severed head, were found across town.Police in El Paso, Texas, didn't know who she was.Investigators made an unprecedented request of local newsrooms in the hopes of identifying her, and finding who killed and dismembered her.National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233El Paso Center Against Sexual & Family Violence Crisis Line: (915) 593-7300Love Is Respect: text LOVEIS to 22522

    Massacre at Las Cruces Bowl: America's Largest Unsolved Mass Shooting

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2020 50:01


    On Feb. 10, 1990, two men shot seven people while robbing a bowling alley in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Four of the victims died. Three of the dead were children, ages 13, 6 and 2. All of the victims were shot at point-blank range. Thirty years have passed and the killers have yet to be brought to justice in what is now one of the bloodiest mass shootings in the nation.

    Killing for Custody: The Life and Death of Bill Wolff

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 48:48


    A college professor was found shot to death on a sidewalk. Detectives learn the victim and his ex-wife were in the midst of a custody battle so bitter, months before his murder she had secretly fled to Mexico with their daughter. Around that time, the professor's former father-in-law was looking for a 'sicario,' someone who would kill for money. The murder investigation expands into an international search for the victim's missing daughter.

    Witness to a Murder: An update on the Life and Death of Rick Madrigal

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 22:49


    Marinda Palacios saw her friend, Rick Madrigal, get shot to death by her boyfriend.Leonel Hernandez was convicted of Rick's murder.Months after podcast host Stephanie Valle reached out to Marinda, she talks about what happened that night, the hours she spent with the killer after the murder, and how she was accused of murder by Leonel's own defense team.

    “Hey, are you alive?”: The life and death of Rick Madrigal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 47:46


    A former radio DJ lays dead inside his apartment. Detectives believe his death is connected to a tip about a case of a possible kidnapping and murder. The investigation uncovered a twisted relationship that may have entangled the victim and led to his death.

    Borderland Crimes: An Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 1:10


    Welcome to a podcast that’s made for the Borderland, a corner of the U.S. Southwest where Texas, New Mexico and old Mexico meet. This brief episode is a taste of what's to come: in-depth storytelling focusing on the some of the area's notorious crimes and those behind them. Listen and subscribe. Produced by KVIA-TV, ABC-7 and longtime journalist and former court reporter Stephanie Valle.

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