Thread: TX-Cracking down

Cracking down

Bill would look for law enforcement corruption

By NICK GEORGIOU
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Monday, April 13, 2009 1:41 AM CDT

The threat of law enforcement corruption along the Texas border is an increasing concern for a panel of state senators.

Last week, the Senate's criminal justice committee passed a bill that would create a law enforcement integrity unit within the Texas Rangers.

The special division would focus only on investigating corrupt law enforcement officers who get involved with drug cartels and other criminal organizations.

"Though it is rare a law enforcement officer may give in to a criminal bribe, the threat is very dangerous," state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, told the Associated Press.

Carona, who wrote the bill, told the AP he expects an "onslaught of temptation as wealthy cartels offer more money to law enforcement officers."

There have been several recent incidents of law enforcement corruption along the Rio Grande.

On April 1, former Border Patrol agent Leonel Morales received a 14-year prison sentence for taking bribes to allow a load of cocaine to pass through Zapata County.

In January, 30-year-old Morales pleaded guilty to a charge of bribery of a public official.

During Morales' sentencing, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez said: "When somebody who is a sworn law enforcement officer joins up with criminals, we have the same situation we do in Mexico."

In 2008, law enforcement accused Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra of working with drug smugglers he was charged with investigating.

Guerra pleaded not guilty.

Also, in January 2007, then-Hidalgo County sheriff's deputy Emmanuel Sanchez was pulled over in Georgia and found to be possession of $950,000.

He was indicted on charges of money laundering and has since fled to Mexico, the AP reported.

"Recently, the flow of money across the Texas/Mexico border has led to the indictment of a number of law enforcement officers in the border region and other areas of the state," states the analysis of the bill, which now moves to the full Senate.

"Law enforcement corruption resulting from increased levels of gang activity in Texas is inadequately addressed by current law."

If created, the special Texas Rangers division would assist district and county attorneys with investigating and prosecuting law enforcement corruption.

Webb County Attorney Anna Cavazos Ramirez said she supports the idea of creating the special division. However, she said the division's focus should be statewide.

"We know there's corruption in law enforcement, as much as we hate to admit it, but it isn't limited to the border," she said.

Ramirez also said she does not think that law enforcement along the border is more susceptible to corruption.

"Just because this is where the drugs cross, we generally are not the end point," she said.

"We're just a stop on the road."

Likewise, state Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, said corruption is not unique to the border and that the division, if created, needs to broaden its scope.

"I understand (the senators') interest in doing it," he said.

"I just don't like the nuance.

If you take a hard look at law enforcement all over the state, you find very committed public servants, but you always have the exceptions to the rule.

"I think people get lost in rhetoric. If we want to move in the direction in doing all we can in making the level of law enforcement as high as possible, look at the whole state."

(Nick Georgiou may be reached at 728-2582 or nickg@lmtonline.com)

http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2009/ ... 745579.txt

On April 1, former Border Patrol agent Leonel Morales received a 14-year prison sentence for taking bribes to allow a load of cocaine to pass through Zapata County.

Are bribes being taken by many elected officials, too?