Bond denied to indicted Starr sheriff despite resignation [South Texas:]

BROWNSVILLE –Reymundo Guerra’s resignation as Starr County sheriff didn’t convince a federal magistrate judge to set bond for the former lawman, who is accused of using his position to assist high-ranking members of the Gulf Cartel.

Defense attorney Philip Hilder said Guerra would appeal today’s denial by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos. Unless overturned by a district court, Ramos’ decision means Guerra will remain behind bars pending trial in early December.

Guerra, who had been sheriff for the past decade, submitted his resignation over the weekend after Ramos expressed concern about his return to the office he allegedly abused.

The Starr County Commissioners Court approved the resignation during an emergency meeting this morning.

Guerra has been in federal custody since being arrested at his Rio Grande City office last Tuesday. He is one of 15 defendants in a 19-count federal indictment alleging conspiracy to move cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the interior United States.

He has pleaded innocent to three charges including conspiracy, accessory after the fact, and using a telephone to further a drug conspiracy. He faces 10 years to life in prison plus a $4 million fine on the conspiracy charge alone.

An FBI agent testified during a detention hearing Friday that Guerra asked a sheriff’s department investigator to reveal intelligence to a man Guerra said had ties to Mexican law enforcement.

The man, 31-year-old Jose Carlos Hinojosa, was named along with Guerra and 13 others in the indictment and is believed to be a leader in the Gulf Cartel.

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said the sheriff’s office would for now be under the command of Chief Deputy Rene Fuentes, who is next in the chain of command.

"Since Guerra was running unopposed in the Nov. 4 election, he effectively starts a new term as sheriff in January, Vera said."

1 posted on 10/21/2008 2:13:31 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch

Throw away the key.

2 posted on 10/21/2008 2:20:50 PM PDT by VaBthang4 ("He Who Watches Over Israel Will Neither Slumber Nor Sleep")

To: Guenevere; mugsaway; CSM; calcowgirl; RightSideNews; Grimmy; BradyLS; DeLaVerdad; YourAdHere; ...

Unopposed Democrat.

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

3 posted on 10/22/2008 7:31:18 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch (US Constitution Article 4 Section 4..shall protect each of them against Invasion...domestic Violence)

The penalty for a peace officer who is involved in organized crime: Death.

4 posted on 10/22/2008 11:05:20 AM PDT by wolfcreek (I see miles and miles of Texas....let's keep it that way.)

I’m pretty sure that whatever he did, he was only doing it for the children.

Really, if he did it for the children it’s okay.

(S)

5 posted on 10/22/2008 12:08:18 PM PDT by Brucifer ("The dog ate my copy of the Constitution." G W Bush)

Just a few years ago another Border sheriff was indicted—Gene something—for being with the cartel. I don’t know how that came out.

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