Olivia Discon
The Texas Prison Museum recently hosted a panel to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fred Carrasco prison siege of 1974. Moderated by Robert Riggs, the host of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast…
…and introduced by museum director David Stacks…
…the discussion brought together several panelists, each with a unique and harrowing experience during those 11 days in Huntsville.
To provide some context: in July 1974, Fred Carrasco, a notorious drug lord, led one of the most dramatic prison sieges in Texas history. Along with two accomplices, Carrasco took 15 hostages in the prison library, demanding safe passage and an escape vehicle. The standoff lasted for 11 tense and terrifying days, culminating in a violent showdown that resulted in multiple deaths, including Carrasco’s.
One of the notable panelists was Wayne Scott, who was a lieutenant at the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) during the siege. Scott was there throughout the crisis and shared his firsthand account of the intense and dangerous situation. He recounted moments when he and another panelist were shot at, emphasizing the life-threatening reality and high stakes of the situation.
Maurice C. Cook, a Texas Ranger involved in the siege, provided his perspective on the events. Cook’s insights added depth to our understanding of law enforcement strategies and the challenges they encountered while trying to resolve the crisis. His stories about coordinating efforts and facing down Carrasco’s threats were gripping.
The panel also included a Benji Aguilar, translator for Carrasco, who shared a unique and often overlooked perspective on the siege. Interestingly, Carrasco didn’t even need a translator; it was deemed to be more of a power play. The translator’s experiences highlighted the intense psychological pressure of the situation and the manipulative tactics employed by Carrasco.
One of the most dramatic moments of the siege was the Trojan Horse incident. Carrasco orchestrated a false promise of surrender by using a makeshift Trojan Horse, a desperate maneuver to gain leverage and shift the dynamics of the standoff. This ploy was a critical and nerve-wracking phase, showcasing Carrasco’s audacity and the high-stakes environment faced by the authorities.
Maurice C. Cook recounted the most courageous act he witnessed in his career: a corrections officer cutting the hostages loose after the Trojan Horse incident.
During this intense situation, the officer, fully aware of the risks, the officer acted decisively to free the hostages from their bindings. He was later awarded for his act of bravery.
The 50th anniversary panel at the Texas Prison Museum was a powerful reminder of the historical significance of the Fred Carrasco siege and the personal experiences at its core. Despite the intensity of the recollections, it was clear that these men had shared an experience that left them inextricably linked. Indeed, after half a century, they were able to reflect and laugh over their actions as young men, solidifying their experiential bonding.
And they were not the only ones who shared in that experiences. The standing-room only crowd, many of whom were living in Huntsville in 1974, shared in the experience and had the chance to ask questions at the end.
For us, it was a great learning experience, to meet new people…
……see people we know and respect…
…and an honor to be part of a fitting tribute to the courage and tenacity of those who lived through one of the most challenging events in Huntsville’s history.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 