U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) is calling for changes in hiring and retention of Border Patrol agents, after a Laredo based Border Patrol agent was charged with killing four people, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Agent Juan David Ortiz, 35, an intelligence analyst, was called a 'serial killer' by the Webb County district attorney.
Ortiz was charged with murdering four people in Laredo in the past two weeks, 'tracking down' his victims, police said, and then killing them.
He was arrested after a woman who police say would have been Ortiz' fifth victim escaped and managed to run to a state trooper.. He is charged with four counts of murder, aggravated assault, and unlawful restraint.
Cuellar says he spoke on Saturday with the head of Customs and Border Protection and agreed to work with him on changes.
"We spoke about how more steps need to be taken to make certain that people who want to become Border Patrol agents," Cueller said.. "We have advocated for and support new standards during the hiring process as well as new standards of professionalism after joining the Border Patrol."
Among the proposals being considered include psychological screening of applicants and well as ongoing psychological tests for current agents.
Cuellar says this is the second time a Border Patrol agent has been charged with killing someone in Laredo.
He says the Border Patrol is also hiring more 'Professional Responsibility Officers' to police the agents.
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