Julian Pesina, a 27-year-old male of Hispanic ethnicity, was fatally shot on May 4, 2014, outside the Notorious Ink Tattoo and Piercing Shop in Balcones Heights, San Antonio, TX. Pesina, who was an off-duty officer with the Balcones Heights Police Department, was ambushed by two gunmen who fired multiple shots at him. The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m., and Pesina succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Pesina was known to be living a double life, as he was also a member of the
Texas Mexican Mafia, a gang involved in various criminal activities. According to federal court records, Pesina had not reported to the gang in six years but was still required to pay a weekly "tax" or "dime" for his involvement in drug sales. When the gang discovered that Pesina was a police officer, a hit was placed on him.
Four individuals were arrested in connection with Pesina's murder. Jerry "Spooks" Idrogo, who helped organize the hit, was arrested in Toledo, Ohio, and later sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Ruben "Menace" Reyes, who ordered the hit, pled guilty to the murder and received five consecutive life sentences. Jesse Santibanez and Alfredo Cardona were also convicted of murder in aid of racketeering and received life sentences.
The FBI, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the San Antonio Police Department, and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, conducted the investigation into Pesina's death. The case highlighted the dangerous intersection of Pesina's dual roles as a police officer and a gang member, ultimately leading to his tragic demise.
