Detention Center Worker Steals Fajitas From Kids To Make $1.2 Million

The Pablo Escobar of fajitas has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. That sounds ridiculous, but what’s more insane is that Gilberto Escamilla, 53, abused his power over a juvenile detention center and made more than $1.2 million over nine years by selling fajitas.

Photo: Clay Junell on Flickr

Instead of smuggling drugs like a normal conman, the public servant would order huge batches of fajitas in the name of the detention center, but never actually serve the food that was received. Instead, he would sell it on the side and after nine years amassed over $1 million.

The crime itself wasn’t exactly Ocean’s 11 stuff, but here’s how he got caught. Escamilla had a doctor’s appointment and missed the delivery he’d been keeping secret for nine years, which led to officials being tipped off on the scam.

The worst part about this, however, is that it was done at the cost of juveniles. Despite being locked up, these are still children, and abusing their situation is incredulous. Their meals are already scant, to say the least. With each meal costing under $2 per person, they aren’t exactly being fed lobster and caviar.

Justified in the sentencing, the judge felt that 50 years would be a proper amount of time to send a message to other public servants, instilling the severity of the crime.