Eighty-seven miles of the U.S.–Mexico border run through Webb County — a fact that shapes nearly everything about how the Sheriff’s Office here operates, day in and day out. Webb County is a member of the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition, a designation that reflects a genuinely different set of law enforcement priorities than a sheriff’s office in, say, the Texas Hill Country would face. Home to Laredo and more than 267,000 residents, Webb County spans over 3,300 square miles of southern Texas, making it one of the largest counties in the state by land area. Here’s how the county’s administration, jail, courts, and sheriff’s office actually work.
Webb County Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| County Seat | Laredo, Texas |
| Population | Approximately 267,000 |
| Land Area | Over 3,300 square miles |
| Border Miles | 87 miles along the U.S.–Mexico border |
| County Established | 1848 by the Texas legislature |
| Governing Body | Webb County Commissioners Court |
| Sheriff | Martin Cuellar |
| Sheriff’s Office Address | 902 Victoria Street, Laredo, TX 78040 |
| Sheriff’s Office Phone | (956) 523-4500 |
| County Clerk | Margie R. Ibarra |
| County Courthouse | 1000 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040 |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT), observes Daylight Saving Time |
A Large Border County Governed Under Texas’s Standard Structure
Webb County, established by the Texas legislature in 1848, operates under the standard Texas county-judge system: the Commissioners Court, made up of the County Judge and four precinct commissioners, handles budget and policy. Several offices — the Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, and Tax Assessor-Collector — are elected independently.
A recent state law change is worth knowing about if you interact with the County Clerk’s office: under House Bill 4350, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025, certain personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and residential addresses — can now be redacted from publicly available property records upon written request by eligible individuals, including peace officers, judges, and other legally protected persons.
A few structural basics:
- The Commissioners Court and county administration operate out of Laredo, the county seat
- Elected offices — including the Sheriff, County Clerk, District Clerk, and Tax Assessor-Collector — run independently of the Commissioners Court
- Webb County’s 2026 general election includes County Judge, County Clerk, District Clerk, Treasurer, county commission seats, and multiple judicial races on the November ballot
The Sheriff’s Office: A Border County Operation
Sheriff Martin Cuellar leads the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. Given the county’s significant international boundary, membership in the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition places Webb County among a specific group of Texas counties whose law enforcement priorities are shaped directly by cross-border traffic and related public safety considerations.
The office’s core responsibilities include:
- Criminal investigations and arrest operations across unincorporated Webb County
- Operating the county jail, with a stated capacity of roughly 570
- Court security for the Webb County Courthouse
- Civil process service, including evictions and warrants
The department maintains a staff of approximately 159 sworn deputies and 137 dedicated jail officers — a substantial detention staffing level reflecting the volume the jail processes given the county’s size and border location. Because Laredo runs its own municipal police department, the Sheriff’s Office primarily patrols unincorporated county areas directly, while jail operations and court security extend countywide.
Finding Someone in Custody, and Checking Warrants
- The Webb County Sheriff’s Office does not publish active warrants online — call (956) 523-4500 or visit in person at 902 Victoria Street, Laredo, to inquire
- For court records that may include warrant information, contact the Webb County District Clerk or search the Texas Judicial Branch Portal
- In-person inquiries can also be made at the Webb County Courthouse, 1000 Houston Street
- The county maintains a wanted list of individuals with active warrants or fugitives sought by local law enforcement, generally accessible through official government channels or by request
- Booking information typically takes a few hours to post after an arrest
The County Clerk’s Office
Margie R. Ibarra serves as Webb County Clerk, an office that describes customer service as its top priority while maintaining accurate and secure records supporting the judicial system. Chief Deputy Mario A. Trevino and Records Management staff support the office’s day-to-day operations.
A few practical points:
- Under HB 4350, eligible individuals — including peace officers, judges, and other legally protected persons — can request redaction of specific personal identifiers from publicly available property records
- Confirm which clerk’s office applies to your specific matter, since Texas splits felony/major civil matters (District Clerk) from misdemeanors, probate, and county-level matters (County Clerk)
- Case lookup is typically available online through the appropriate clerk’s portal before an in-person visit
- Self-help resources exist for people without an attorney, though staff can’t offer legal advice
Before You Visit
- Bring valid, government-issued photo ID to any county building, courthouse, or the jail
- Confirm whether your matter involves the Sheriff’s Office (patrol, jail, warrants) or a Laredo city department, since the city runs its own municipal police
- Downtown Laredo parking near the courthouse and Sheriff’s Office can be limited during business hours
- If you’re an eligible protected person seeking record redaction under HB 4350, submit your written request directly to the County Clerk’s office with appropriate documentation
Common Questions
Q1. How do I check for active warrants in Webb County?
The Sheriff’s Office doesn’t post warrants online — call (956) 523-4500 or visit in person at 902 Victoria Street. Alternatively, check court records through the Webb County District Clerk or the Texas Judicial Branch Portal, or inquire in person at the courthouse.
Q2. How do I find out if someone is in the Webb County Jail?
Contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at (956) 523-4500 for current booking and custody status information. Given the jail’s substantial capacity and staffing level, allow a few hours after a recent arrest for booking details to appear.
Q3. What is HB 4350, and how does it affect property records in Webb County?
Passed by the Texas Legislature in 2025, this law allows certain eligible individuals — including peace officers, judges, and other legally protected persons — to request that specific personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers and residential addresses, be redacted from publicly available property records. Submit a written request to the County Clerk’s office if you qualify.
Q4. Does the Webb County Sheriff’s Office handle border-related law enforcement directly?
The Sheriff’s Office is a member of the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition, given the county’s 87 miles of international border, and its law enforcement priorities are shaped by cross-border considerations. Specific federal immigration enforcement matters, however, typically involve coordination with federal agencies rather than falling solely under county authority — confirm jurisdiction directly if your situation involves a border-related federal matter.
