EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 An El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector\u2019s Office deputy working at an authorized contract office was arrested Sunday after an investigation into an alleged unlawful vehicle title and registration scheme, officials said.<\/p>\n
Jessica Marie Alonzo was charged with 10 counts of tampering with governmental records, according to the Tax Assessor-Collector\u2019s Office. <\/p>\n
She was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a total bond of $50,000.<\/p>\n
RELATED: El Paso County vehicle registration backlog drops below 500 after initial surge<\/a><\/p>\n Investigators with the office\u2019s Enforcement Division allege Alonzo altered records in the state vehicle-registration system to bypass Texas inspection and emissions requirements. <\/p>\n The changes allegedly allowed vehicles that had not passed required inspections \u2014 or did not have current inspection records \u2014 to be registered or have title transfers processed.<\/p>\n The office said records show more than 380 transactions were altered between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. <\/p>\n Some of the vehicles reportedly had no inspection record dating back to July 2013.<\/p>\n Investigators also reviewed Zelle payment records showing Alonzo collected thousands of dollars, though officials said they could not determine whether every payment was connected to the alleged fraudulent transactions.<\/p>\n Public trust is built on accountability,\u201d El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector Ruben Gonzalez said. \u201cWhen an allegation involves one of our own employees or agents, our commitment to transparency does not change. In fact, it becomes even more important.<\/p>\n The investigation remains ongoing, and the office said additional charges may be filed. Alonzo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. <\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Texas to require proof of identity and legal status for vehicle titles, registrations<\/a><\/p>\n