An El Paso County tax deputy allegedly altered more than 380 records to allow vehicles that had not passed state-mandated inspections and emissions tests to be fraudulently registered in exchange for money, authorities said.
El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office Enforcement Division officers arrested Jessica Marie Alonzo, 38, in connection with 10 counts of tampering with government records, El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector Ruben P. Gonzalez announced in a news release. She was arrested Monday, Oct. 5.
The Orlando J. Torres Law Office is representing Alonzo. Law firm officials said they had just received the case and were reviewing it.
Alonzo did not work for the tax assessor's office but was "a deputy with an authorized contract
office," representing the tax office, the news release states.
Criminal complaint affidavits filed against Alonzo state that she was an employee at El Paso Auto Registration and Titling, which is a full-service deputy office for the El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office.
She allegedly "bypassed Texas inspection and emissions requirements by altering records in the state's vehicle registration system, allowing vehicles that had not passed state-mandated inspections and emissions tests to be fraudulently registered," the news release states.
Alonzo altered records for more than 380 transactions for vehicles between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, the news release states. The altered records included "vehicles that did not have a current state inspection record, or vehicles that had no inspections as far back as July 2013."
The affidavits allege that Alonzo altered 327 registration renewals and 54 title transfers.
The news release and court documents do not state what Alonzo was allegedly charging each time she altered state records.
"Investigators also reviewed Zelle records where Alonzo collected thousands in payments, however it could not be determined if every payment was connected to the alleged fraudulent event," the news release states.
The affidavits include 10 incidents where Alonzo allegedly committed fraud. The investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed, the news release states.
Alonzo was booked into the El Paso County jail on Monday, Oct. 5, on a bond totaling $50,000. She was released the same day after posting bail, jail records show.
“Public trust is built on accountability,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “Our responsibility is not only to serve the public, but to ensure that the laws and procedures governing our office are followed by everyone who works here. When an allegation involves one of our own employees or agents, our commitment to transparency does not change. In fact, it becomes even more important.”
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com and @AMartinezEPT on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso tax deputy allegedly altered Texas vehicle records in fraud scheme
