Valley Central.com
New details emerged Thursday about a bribery scheme involving former Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Melo Ochoa, an unnamed attorney and a major-league cocaine smuggler.
Federal agents arrested Sylvia San Juanita Vasquez, 44, of Mission on Wednesday for her role in the conspiracy.
The criminal complaint against her doesn’t name the attorney involved, but the Monitor is reporting the attorney who represented the cocaine smuggler is state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg — though he said "I've never given Melo anything."
Like several other high-profile Hidalgo County corruption cases— including the prosecution of the Panama Unit and the conviction of former Sheriff Lupe Treviño for accepting cash from a drug smuggler – the latest criminal inquiry was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In February 2010, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a major cocaine trafficking organization, according to the criminal complaint, and arranged for the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a Mexican man named Luis Martinez-Gallegos.
The Sheriff’s Office discovered about 89 kilograms of cocaine in the vehicle and arrested Martinez-Gallegos. He was taken to the Hidalgo County Jail.
Justice of the Peace Jose Ismael “Melo” Ochoa set bond at $2.5 million.
Three confidential informants told Homeland Security Investigations that they conspired with Vasquez to have Martinez-Gallegos released and dodge federal prosecution for the cocaine.
They put together about $100,000 in bribe money.
“CI#1 stated that the defendant told CI#1 that this money was supposed to ‘pay off’ the judge, pay the attorney, pay the defendant and secure that Gallegos’ bond would be posted,” according to the criminal complaint.
Another person, identified as Confidential Informant #3, delivered the cash to the attorney.
The scheme apparently worked.
New details emerged Thursday about a bribery scheme involving former Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Melo Ochoa, an unnamed attorney and a major-league cocaine smuggler.
Federal agents arrested Sylvia San Juanita Vasquez, 44, of Mission on Wednesday for her role in the conspiracy.
The criminal complaint against her doesn’t name the attorney involved, but the Monitor is reporting the attorney who represented the cocaine smuggler is state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg — though he said "I've never given Melo anything."
Like several other high-profile Hidalgo County corruption cases— including the prosecution of the Panama Unit and the conviction of former Sheriff Lupe Treviño for accepting cash from a drug smuggler – the latest criminal inquiry was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In February 2010, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a major cocaine trafficking organization, according to the criminal complaint, and arranged for the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a Mexican man named Luis Martinez-Gallegos.
The Sheriff’s Office discovered about 89 kilograms of cocaine in the vehicle and arrested Martinez-Gallegos. He was taken to the Hidalgo County Jail.
Justice of the Peace Jose Ismael “Melo” Ochoa set bond at $2.5 million.
Three confidential informants told Homeland Security Investigations that they conspired with Vasquez to have Martinez-Gallegos released and dodge federal prosecution for the cocaine.
They put together about $100,000 in bribe money.
“CI#1 stated that the defendant told CI#1 that this money was supposed to ‘pay off’ the judge, pay the attorney, pay the defendant and secure that Gallegos’ bond would be posted,” according to the criminal complaint.
Another person, identified as Confidential Informant #3, delivered the cash to the attorney.
The scheme apparently worked.
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6 comments:
Is this surprising in a county known to be controlled by the four Power Rangers? It was five but that District Judge coward out and took his life, so they say? The corruption in Hidalgo County is long overdue and it appears that another Limas corruption is developing there? Look at this Botox lady, she supposedly pleads guilty but that she was not sworn in before that? Makes one go, "Hmmm??? Now, the wetback is going to get a trial and now the victims have to wait longer for justice. Sounds like she should be convicted and sent to prison which would wipe out any chance of restitution, according to the Code of Criminal Procedure? Lets just hope the Feds don't pick and chose on this one? Then again, lets see who will bite the bullet to avoid spilling their guts like that coward Judge?
I have lived in the Rio Grande Delta for 30 years. I am convinced that corruption is a genetic problem. Indians during the "western days" were chastised by the tribe if they were caught stealing but congratulated if they stole undetected. There is a lot of Indian blood in the "valleys" population. It is more than a culture of corruption...it's in the blood.
Sounds like Cameron County officials and judicial system.....Armando Villalobos, Judge "Disable" Limas, Jim Solis, et al. This culture of corruption is amazing....those with good educations (lawyers, judges, legislators, seem to be the most corrupt, taking advantage of an ignorant public.
What does this have to do with Cameron County? What does it have to do with premium trial diversion?
Our Naco voting public does not vote. Maybe it's due to our political ignorance and/or we are too damn lazy to exercise our right to Vote.l
Many half-way houses are owned by Naco Fed Employees. They are sustained and paid with federal funding .
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