Former Starr County Pageant Director Arrested on Child Sex Assault Charge

Rio Grande City police arrested Angel Benito Montemayor on a second-degree felony charge.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:18pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single handcuff against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the serious nature of the crime alleged against the former pageant director.The arrest of a pageant director on child sex assault charges raises urgent questions about oversight and child protection policies in community organizations.Rio Grande City Today

The director of the Royal Court Pageant Board in Starr County, Texas, was arrested on a charge of sexual assault of a child. The pageant board voted to remove Montemayor from his position immediately following the allegations.

Why it matters

The arrest of a pageant director on child sex assault charges raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the young participants in the pageant program. It also calls into question the oversight and vetting processes used by the pageant organization.

The details

Rio Grande City police arrested Angel Benito Montemayor on a charge of sexual assault of a child, a second-degree felony, on Wednesday. Montemayor was the director of the nonprofit Royal Court Pageant Board, which oversees the Miss Rio Grande City, Miss Grulla, and Miss Starr County pageants. The pageant board held an emergency meeting on Monday and voted to remove Montemayor from his position effective immediately.

  • Montemayor was arrested on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The pageant board held an emergency meeting on Monday, April 14, 2026 and voted to remove Montemayor.

The players

Angel Benito Montemayor

The former director of the Royal Court Pageant Board in Starr County, Texas, who was arrested on a charge of sexual assault of a child.

Royal Court Pageant Board

The nonprofit organization that oversees the Miss Rio Grande City, Miss Grulla, and Miss Starr County pageants in Starr County, Texas.

Rio Grande City Police

The law enforcement agency that arrested Montemayor on the child sex assault charge.

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What they’re saying

“This decision was made in consideration of the organization's responsibility to its participants, families, and the broader community, and to ensure the continued integrity and stability of the program during this time.”

— Royal Court Pageant Board, Board of Directors

What’s next

The pageant board is expected to hold a meeting for parents on Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. to discuss reorganizing the board.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for rigorous background checks, oversight, and safeguarding measures to protect young participants in community-based youth programs. The pageant board's swift action to remove the director demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of the pageant contestants.