Bexar County Man Indicted for Tampering with Public Water Systems

SAN ANTONIO - A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Bexar County man with three counts related to his alleged tampering with public water systems, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.

According to court documents, Mark Anthony Cadena, 36, is alleged to have knowingly tampered with and attempted to tamper with a public water system on or about Feb. 2, 2025. The indictment also alleges Cadena hacked into the water utility's well and pump control systems, intentionally causing at least $5,000 in damage to a protected computer threatening public health and safety.

Cadena is charged with one count of tampering with public water systems, one count of attempted tampering with public water systems, and one count of fraud and related activity in connection with computers. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for count one and 10 years in prison each for counts two and three. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Mangels is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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