On June 8, 2019, at approximately 10:30 pm, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to Taylor Correctional Institution regarding an unauthorized person attempting to deliver a package suspected to be contraband.
The attempted drop was observed on camera and Department of Corrections staff had detained the unauthorized person, identified as Antonio Mario Arivenar.
The package was retrieved and observed to contain approximately 400 loose cigars and a packet of powder cocaine. Mr. Arivenar was taken into custody and transported to the Taylor County Jail.
Through further investigation, it was discovered that Mr. Arivenar had a female accomplice, Heather Gamboa. Ms. Gamboa was located at a local motel in Perry.
Deputies made contact with Ms. Gamboa, who acknowledged that she and Mr. Arivenar had traveled to Perry together. Ms. Gamboa consented to a search of her motel room.
Cannabis, cocaine, four pills identified as a controlled substance, over $3,000 in currency, and more loose cigars (similar to the ones in the package dropped at the prison) were located in Ms. Gamboa’s room. Ms. Gamboa was taken into custody and transported to the Taylor County Jail.
Officers involved in the investigation and subsequent arrests are Department of Corrections Captain Richard Lukens, Sgt Eric Sadler, CO Andrew Mock, CO James Mock, CO Josh Clark, CO Justin Conyer, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Scott McKenzie, Sergeant Brian Cruse, Deputy Anthony Fenton, and Deputy Darren Whiddon.
