Former Texas Sheriff Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Corruption Case
LYNN BREZOSKY
Associated Press Writer


A former sheriff was sentenced Tuesday to more than 24 years in federal prison for extorting money from drug dealers and tipping off criminals about investigations.

Conrado Cantu, the former sheriff of Cameron County along the Texas-Mexico border, apologized before sentencing, saying he had broken under the pressure of the job and hated drugs.

But U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle was curt in her response.

"You used your charisma to betray your community," she told Cantu, 50. "For somebody who hates drugs, you certainly did a lot to help the drug trafficking trade."

She said people in the community would long wonder if the police officer in the patrol car next to them was escorting a drug dealer, one of the offenses described in the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Lara said prosecutors were pleased with the sentence.

"It sends a good message to the community," he said. "You're going to sell your badge in Cameron County or anywhere, we're going to prosecute you to the full extent of the law."

Cantu pleaded guilty in July to heading a criminal enterprise engaged in extortion, drug trafficking, obstruction of state and local law enforcement efforts, witness tampering and bribery. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop other charges against him.

Also sentenced Tuesday was Hector Solis, who had pleaded guilty to helping Cantu tip off owners of gambling dens to law enforcement raids. He received six months in prison.

Rumaldo Rodriguez, Cantu's former captain, was sentenced to 14 months. Reynaldo Uribe, who admitted taking $2,000 to transport two loads of drug cash, was sentenced to one year and four months.

Geronimo Garcia, who ran the county jail commissary and was the "idea man" of the enterprise, was sentenced to nine years and six months.

He got off too easy.  He is both a public figure and a LE officer.  He used those positions of public trust for his own financial gain. Unforgivable.

<Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story.

If the guy did everything he pled to (and the other charges that were dropped), he most likely led indirectly to death(s).  

Should have gotten life.

Quoted: <Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story.

On behalf of the "police apologists" and JBT everwhere  "Kiss my ass."  

No, the SOB disgraced the badge.  He's worse than the drug dealers.  He should have gotten a much longer sentence.  There is not "reserve judgement"..... he was found guilty.  

Quoted: <Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story.

Here's one "police apologist"  that wants him shot at dawn.  When will you guys get it thru your heads that police do not defend LE proven to be guilty?

Quoted: <Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story.

Demonstrating, once again, that you don't have a clue.

The should be shot to save some of my hard earned tax dollars.

Quoted: Quoted: <Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story. Demonstrating, once again, that you don't have a clue.

Oh come on, you  know someone will always defend LEO's no matter what.  (and it's not me)

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: <Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story. Demonstrating, once again, that you don't have a clue. Oh come on, you  know someone will always defend LEO's no matter what.

Nope, you are wrong.

This guy is a convicted corrupt cop.  No one hates corrupt cops more than good cops.

No good cop will take up for him.  In fact, most good cops would like to see him stood up against a tree and shot.

If you think differently, you don't really understand cops at all.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: <Police Apologist>   We need to reserve judgement - we haven't heard his side of the story. Demonstrating, once again, that you don't have a clue. Oh come on, you  know someone will always defend LEO's no matter what. Nope, you are wrong. This guy is a convicted corrupt cop.  No one hates corrupt cops more than good cops. No good cop will take up for him.  In fact, most good cops would like to see him stood up against a tree and shot. If you think differently, you don't really understand cops at all.

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=417785&page=1

Quoted: Quoted: Nope, you are wrong. This guy is a convicted corrupt cop.  No one hates corrupt cops more than good cops. No good cop will take up for him.  In fact, most good cops would like to see him stood up against a tree and shot. If you think differently, you don't really understand cops at all. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=417785&page=1

Okay jrzy, I looked at that thread, but didn't read it all.

Seems that you have a reading comprehension problem.

The simple matter of fact is that in that case, the officer involved is not a "convicted corrupt cop".

That was what I was talking about.  Cops do not have any use for a "convicted corrupt cop".

That was my point.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Nope, you are wrong. This guy is a convicted corrupt cop.  No one hates corrupt cops more than good cops. No good cop will take up for him.  In fact, most good cops would like to see him stood up against a tree and shot. If you think differently, you don't really understand cops at all. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=417785&page=1 Okay jrzy, I looked at that thread, but didn't read it all. Seems that you have a reading comprehension problem. The simple matter of fact is that in that case, the officer involved is not a "convicted corrupt cop". That was what I was talking about.  Cops do not have any use for a "convicted corrupt cop". That was my point.

I believe that was a preemptive swipe at me because of my sometimes caustic replies.
I have never been curt or a smart ass with the good guys on this site including yourself.
I was only pointing out someone who defending an LEO even though he was clearly wrong for not reporting the shooting.

Quoted: I believe that was a preemptive swipe at me because of my sometimes caustic replies. I have never been curt or a smart ass with the good guys on this site including yourself. I was only pointing out someone who defending an LEO even though he was clearly wrong for not reporting the shooting.

And I wasn't trying to be "curt or a smart ass" with you either.

I was only pointing out that you misunderstood my point, i.e., no good cop defends a convicted corrupt cop.

No offense meant.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Nope, you are wrong. This guy is a convicted corrupt cop.  No one hates corrupt cops more than good cops. No good cop will take up for him.  In fact, most good cops would like to see him stood up against a tree and shot. If you think differently, you don't really understand cops at all. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=417785&page=1 Okay jrzy, I looked at that thread, but didn't read it all. Seems that you have a reading comprehension problem. The simple matter of fact is that in that case, the officer involved is not a "convicted corrupt cop". That was what I was talking about.  Cops do not have any use for a "convicted corrupt cop". That was my point. I believe that was a preemptive swipe at me because of my sometimes caustic replies. I have never been curt or a smart ass with the good guys on this site including yourself. I was only pointing out someone who defending an LEO even though he was clearly wrong for not reporting the shooting.

"I have never been curt or a smart ass with the good guys on this site including yourself...." jrzy