Officer sentenced for hiring illegal immigrants as armed guards

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5275567.html
2007 The Associated Press

HOUSTON — A former Houston police officer has been sentenced to just more than three years in prison for hiring illegal immigrants as guards and then arming them.

David Rodriguez was sentenced Monday to 37 months and fined $1,000 for violating the federal Gun Control Act. He pleaded guilty last year.

Prosecutors say between December 2000 and December 2005 Rodriguez lied on federal forms during the purchase of handguns and gave the firearms to illegal immigrants he hired as guards at his private security company.

The 39-year-old Rodriguez was a 13-year Houston police veteran.