SAN ANTONIO – A man who admitted to San Antonio police that he was a hitman for the Texas Mexican Mafia was indicted on new charges he killed a Balcones Heights police officer.
Ruben Reyes has been in custody since November 2014 for three murders. Law enforcement sources told KSAT-12 Reyes was connected to the shooting of Julian Pesina.
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An indictment returned last week charged Reyes with Pesina's murder.
Pesina was employed as a Balcones Heights police officer when he was gunned down in May 2014 while off-duty. Investigators have said Pesina was a member of the Texas Mexican Mafia who was killed because he owed the gang money. Alfredo Cardona, Jesse Santibanez and Jerry Idrogo are all awaiting trial on federal charges connected to the murder.
Reyes contacted San Antonio police in November 2014 after he survived an ambush -- what an FBI agent described as a Texas Mexican Mafia "hit."
A criminal complaint said Reyes gave SAPD information on three unsolved murders. He told them how Mark Anthony "Lefty" Bernal, Carlos "Worm" Chapa and Johnny "Smiley" Solis were killed on Jan. 13, 2014. He also told investigators where the men's remains would be found.
Reyes was indicted on federal gun charges related to the murder in November 2014.
In addition to the four murders, the new indictment against Reyes was engaged in racketeering. He is due in court Monday for an arraignment.
If convicted, Reyes faces up to life in prison.