MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) - McLennan County has hired its first full-time gang investigator to address what officials describe as a growing problem involving more than 70 active gangs that recruit children as young as 10 years old.

Jeff Aguirre began his role as the county’s dedicated gang investigator about a month ago. Aguirre said the county has seen shooters as young as 13 committing gang shootings.

District Attorney Josh Tetens said the position was created using the border prosecution grant, which the county has been applying for and receiving for years. McLennan County is more than 300 miles from the southern border, but the grant allows counties to use the money for anti-gang law enforcement initiatives.

“Unfortunately, here in McLennan County we do have a gang problem,” Tet

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