Date: 04-17-2014

Case Style: United States of America v. Jose A. Padilla

Case Number: 7:13-cr-01154

Judge: Randy Crane

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Hildago County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: James Sturgis and Anibal Alaniz

Defendant's Attorney: Joe Cisneros for Jose A. Padilla

David Acosta for Jacory Obrien Greathouse

Adolfo Al Alvarez for William Champion Gonzalez

for Federico Erik Rodriguez

Alejandro Guerra for Jamail Marquece Thomas

Arnulfo Guerra for Eloy Gonzalez

Manuel Guerra for William Champion Gonzalez

Bruce Harvey for Francisco Javier Rios

Dan Longoria for Hector Nicolas Rodriguez, Sr.

Santos Maldonado and Mauro Barreiro for Eloy Gonzalez

Reynaldo Merino for Omar Fidencio Rojas

Jaime Morales for Francisco Javier Rios

Miguel Arturo Andres Nogueras, FPD, Jamail Marquece Thomas

Crispin Quintanilla for Tomas Reyes Gonzalez

Dennis Ramirez for Jose A. Padilla

Luis Singleterry for Hector Nicolaz Rodriguez, Jr.

Oscar Vega for Miguel Placencia, III

Mauro Barreiro for Eloy Gonzalez

Description: McALLEN, Texas – Jose A. Padilla, 54, of Weslaco, has entered a plea of guilty for one count of receipt of a bribe, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Padilla was a former deputy commander at the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and served under the leadership of former sheriff Guadalupe “Lupe” Trevino.

Padilla has admitted that during 2011 and 2012, he received cash from alleged drug trafficker Tomas “El Gallo” Gonzalez. In exchange for the cash payments, Padilla performed various tasks for Gonzalez and provided information to Gonzalez related to ongoing law enforcement activities.

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted Padilla’s plea today and has set sentencing for July 17, 2104. At that time, he faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a potential maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the amount he received.

He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and Texas Department of Public Safety, Rangers Division. Assistant United States Attorneys James Sturgis and Anibal Alaniz prosecuted the case.

Outcome:

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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