Posted on 02/14/2004 8:26:32 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Cantu leaves courthouse proclaiming he is ‘innocent’ of indictment claims.
BROWNSVILLE, Feb. 14, 2004 — Inside the same jail he is employed to oversee, Sheriff Conrado Cantu was booked and released Friday from the Carrizalez-Rucker detention center after he was indicted on charges of abuse of official capacity.
Cantu, 48, is free on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond.
He is accused of intentionally and knowingly misusing jail employees and county propertywith intent to obtain a benefit for himself.
The Class A misdemeanor charge stems from an Oct. 29 meeting where Cantu allegedly called jailers to the Carrizalez-Rucker facility and asked for their help with his re-election bid.
Cantu is heard on an audio tape of the meeting asking the group to accompany him on a campaign block-walk in San Benito.
If convicted, the sheriff could face up to one year in jail and a fine not to exceed $4,000.
“It’s all politically motivated,” he said Friday. “I am innocent.”
Holding his white hat in his hands, Cantu turned himself in to the 197th state district court where he was arraigned. Sheriff’s Capt. Rumaldo Rodriguez accompanied him to the courtroom.
Cantu’s attorney Ernesto Gamez asked Judge Migdalia Lopez to initiate an investigation, claiming there had been a leak to the media about the sealed indictment.
Lopez told Gamez to file a motion, and she would review it.
District Attorney Yolanda de Leon said several grand juries heard the state’s case against the sheriff before returning an indictment.
Inquiries began in late November, de Leon said. “It involved three months of investigation by juries.”
With a department that has been plagued with allegations of theft, sexual misconduct and drug activity, Cantu’s arrest adds to the problems at the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department.
“We’ve had everything,” Precinct 3 Commissioner David Garza said. “I used to get surprised when things came up, but at this point nothing surprises me.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Edna Tamayo said the sheriff’s arrest and indictment is a step toward cleaning up the department.
“This will help the community ... to see if we can rebuild some trust. I think it’s a positive thing that has happened,” she said.
Cantu’s indictment and arrest is an embarrassment to the county, said Precinct 1 Commissioner Pete Benavides.
“It’s not good for anyone to go through this, because we all suffer from it,” Benavides said. “It’s embarrassing.”
Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa was not available for comment.
Cantu is in the third year of a four-year term and can remain in office despite a criminal indictment.
“There is no procedure (resulting from a criminal indictment) that allows for his removal or temporary suspension,” de Leon said.
Only a felony conviction warrants removal from office. However, an elected official may be removed from office for official misconduct under civil removal proceedings. De Leon would not say if she planned to pursue Cantu’s removal.
Posted by: Gilbert Zarate on Feb 14, 04 | 12:07 am
Don't forget Kay Bailey Hutchinson was indicted on similar charges during her first senatorial campaign.
So9
Sheriff Conrado Cantu
Carrizalez-Rucker facility
Sheriff Capt. Rumaldo Rodriguez
attorney Ernesto Gamez
Judge Migdalia Lopez
District Attorney Yolanda de Leon
Precinct 3 Commissioner David Garza
Precinct 4 Commissioner Edna Tamayo
Precinct 1 Commissioner Pete Benavides
Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa
Posted by: Gilbert Zarate
Can any of the above speak English? Are any of the above illegal aliens? Has anyone checked to see if they are all legal?
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