Austin singer/songwriter Tish Hinojosa was arrested Aug. 6 at the Laredo border on a charge of conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. According a report published in the Aug. 7 Laredo Morning Times, Hinojosa and her companion, Jason Miles of Colorado, were arrested by customs inspectors at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge at 8:15pm, after the inspectors found 30 pills of Rohypnol in Miles’ boot. Hinojosa and Miles told the officials that she had bought the pills in Mexico, believing they were Ecstasy, and asked Miles to smuggle them for her across the border.
Hinojosa and Miles made an initial appearance before a federal judge in Laredo, and were released on bail from the Webb Co. jail pending further legal action. On Aug. 8 Hinojosa released a statement, saying in part, “The recent alleged incident on the international border in Laredo involving Tish Hinojosa stands in sharp contrast to Ms. Hinojosa’s decades-long tradition of community involvement, public service and political activism. … Facts surrounding this alleged incident will come to light, but she is not at liberty to discuss those facts at this time.” Later in the week, a mistaken report circulated that Hinojosa had a prior arrest on similar charges, but a statement by Webb Co. Sheriff Juan Garza declared those allegations inaccurate and incorrect. “The officer who alluded to a prior arrest misread the year ‘2002’ as the year ‘2000,’” said Garza. “I am and continue to be a fan of Ms. Hinojosa’s.”
A spokeswoman for Hinojosa told the Chronicle that the musician is confident she will be able to address this issue in full, and she appreciates her fans’ concerns.
This article appears in August 16 • 2002.
