Borderland Crimes

Borderland Crimes, from KVIA-TV, ABC-7

A winner of three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. El Paso, Texas is one of America’s safest cities. But it’s not immune to crime. This podcast by ABC-7 anchor Stephanie Valle dives deep into stories that grip the Borderland community with details that rarely make the news - but deserve to be heard.

  1. 11/27/2024

    Woman on the Run: The Search for Desiree Skaf

    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.

    42 min

  2. 09/26/2024

    Family of Mom, Toddler Waits 30 Years for Murder Trial

    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. 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. UPDATE (09/26/24): The judge set Ortega Garcia's case for trial on March 3, 2025. Read the update on the KVIA website.

    25 min

  3. 08/03/2024

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

    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?

    17 min

  4. 07/24/2024

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

    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 UPDATE (09/09/24): Edward Alvarado was convicted and sentenced to 170 years in prison. Read details

    26 min

  5. 06/28/2024

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

    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.

    30 min

  6. 05/21/2024

    Who Killed Kimberly? Daughter Seeks Answers

    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.

    34 min

  7. 02/27/2024

    Keeping a Killer Incarcerated

    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.

    25 min

  8. 02/01/2024

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

    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.

    28 min
See All (29)

4.9
out of 5
368 Ratings

About

A winner of three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. El Paso, Texas is one of America’s safest cities. But it’s not immune to crime. This podcast by ABC-7 anchor Stephanie Valle dives deep into stories that grip the Borderland community with details that rarely make the news - but deserve to be heard.

Information

  • Creator
    Borderland Crimes, from KVIA-TV, ABC-7
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Borderland Crimes

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