SAN ANTONIO - Some residents in the quiet community of Windcrest say they're stunned to learn a man who lived next door to them has been arrested on federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
James Mason Blackmon, 52, was arrested by federal agents last week. Neighbors say Blackmon seemed nice and had even done some work in their homes. Windcrest Mayor Alan Baxter says Blackmon even did contract work for Bexar County Water Improvement District #10 -- which is not run by the city of Windcrest.
Baxter said, “I’m disappointed that they would hire a prior convicted felon as their contractor.”
The water district's general manager Richard Frenzel said they had no idea Blackmon had a criminal record because they don’t do background checks on contract workers. Blackmon had served a prison sentence for drug smuggling in 1999.
The federal government is working to seize the home Blackmon lived in and a second two story home he also built in Windcrest.