Texas Teacher Arrested in Major Gang Crackdown

A third-grade teacher from the Sheldon Independent School District in Houston, Texas, identified as Jessica Ferguson, was arrested as part of a major FBI-led operation targeting the 'Rich Kingz' gang. Ferguson was caught on a wiretap participating in drug-related calls from her classroom, with children audible in the background. The operation, which involved nearly 300 officers, led to the arrest of 20 individuals on charges related to narcotics and firearms trafficking. Concurrently, a separate investigation in Uvalde, Texas, led to the arrest of 33 individuals linked to various violent gangs, with charges stemming from drug trafficking and organized crime activities. Both operations underscore the ongoing efforts of federal and local authorities to combat gang violence and drug trafficking in Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the state's zero-tolerance policy towards gang violence, which led to intensified anti-gang efforts in Uvalde starting in September 2022.