U.S. Ambassador intervenes in Caden Hawkins case

TYLER — East Texas officials said new diplomatic pressure may finally accelerate the release of Hallsville native Caden Hawkins, who has spent nine months in a Juarez prison after accidentally crossing into Mexico with a firearm. According to our news partner KETK, for nine months, the family of 22-year-old Hallsville native Caden Hawkins has pleaded for help after he was allegedly jailed in Mexico for accidentally crossing the border with a firearm. Hawkins was returning from work in Arizona last March when GPS detours routed him toward a border checkpoint. According to his family, Mexican guards instructed him to pass through and then turn back toward the United States. When officers inspected his truck, Hawkins voluntarily disclosed that he had a pistol inside, leading to his immediate arrest.

Since then, Hawkins has remained in Cereso Estatal No. 3 prison in Juarez. His family said they have spent as much as $1,000 a week so he can access basic necessities like food, water and limited protection. Despite hiring attorneys, the family was told the appeal filed shortly after his arrest could sit in the courts for up to two years, and that his time already served may not count toward a possible sentence of up to four years. His sister, Haley Hawkins, has described the ordeal as emotionally devastating, calling her brother a victim of corruption within Mexico’s judicial system.

In recent months, the family’s public pleas have gained attention from East Texas officials. State Rep. Jay Dean and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn both called for federal intervention, urging constituents to contact government offices in hopes of pressuring authorities to secure Hawkins’ release before the holidays.
Dean announced significant progress on Wednesday, saying the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, has formally contacted the Mexican Embassy regarding Hawkins’ case. Dean said the movement made in the past several days surpasses what had occurred in the previous nine months, and he thanked Texans for pressuring federal officials.

Rep. Dean continues to ask the community to contact the following numbers in order to help bring Caden home:
• Department of State’s Overseas Citizens Services: 202-647-4000
• Governor Greg Abbott: 512-463-2000
• Senator John Cornyn: 202-224-2934
• Senator Ted Cruz: 202-224-5922