Thread: Texas deputy arrested on drug charge

Texas deputy arrested on drug charge

Posted: May 25, 2012 9:54 AM PDT Updated: May 25, 2012 9:54 AM PDT

McALLEN, Texas (AP) - A federal judge in McAllen has ordered a South Texas sheriff's deputy held without bond for his alleged role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors say Duval County Sheriff's deputy Ruben Silva took $5,000 in payment and planned to smuggle cocaine in his sheriff's department vehicle from the Rio Grande Valley north through the Border Patrol inland checkpoint. He was arrested Thursday.

A Drug Enforcement Administration informant and undercover drug task force officers participated in the bust which included arrests of 2 others with whom Silva was allegedly conspiring.

A complaint filed in federal court suggests that another deputy could be involved, but the identities of 2 co-defendants remained under seal.

No attorney was listed for Silva. The Duval County Sheriff did not immediately return a call for comment.

Texas deputy arrested on drug charge - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Duval County deputy arrested in alleged drug conspiracy


May 25, 2012 6:42 PM

Jared Taylor,

McALLEN — Federal agents arrested a Duval County deputy sheriff accused of setting up a fake traffic stop to allow cocaine smugglers move a load past a Border Patrol checkpoint.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested Ruben Silva, 35, a sheriff’s deputy in Duval County, on one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Also arrested were the alleged drug smugglers, brothers Jerry and Jose Luis Tovar, both of rural Mission.

An informant met with Silva while at Jerry Tovar’s home on the 6300 block of North Schuerbach Road, where Silva said he would conduct a fake traffic stop, seize 10 kilograms of cocaine and drive it past the Border Patrol checkpoint, a criminal complaint states.

Silva told the informant to have $5,000 in cash that he would collect during the fake traffic stop, the complaint states. Silva would then pick up the 10 kilos of coke from Jerry Tovar and smuggle it through the Border Patrol checkpoint in a tire on his Duval County patrol vehicle.

Then, the informant would be able to pick up the drugs at Silva’s home in Freer.

Two undercover agents on Monday met with Tovar at Taqueria Don Felipe, at the intersection of 5 Mile Line and La Homa Road, where they provided photos of the vehicles to be used in the fake traffic stop and sent them to Silva. The undercover agents and the informant then drove to Hebbronville in two vehicles.

Silva and another unnamed man stopped the two vehicles along Highway 16, where Silva collected the $5,000.
Agents arrested Tovar and Mike Lara, who is accused of attempting to collect 6 kilograms of cocaine, on Thursday near Mission.

Jerry and Jose Luis Tovar also face charges of selling six firearms to an undercover federal agent, a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release states. At least two of the weapons were Uzi-style submachine guns. Both Tovar brothers are convicted felons prohibited from possessing firearms.

Silva faces between 10 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $20 million, if convicted.

The Tovar brothers each face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearms charges.

All three men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos on Friday in federal court in McAllen. They remain in custody without bond.

Duval County deputy arrested in alleged drug conspiracy | county, deputy, drug - TheMonitor.com

RELATED ..

Duval County Deputy Arrested on Federal Drug Charges

05/25/2012 03:30 PM by Andy Liscano



CORPUS CHRISTI - Duval County Sheriff Romeo Ramirez says Ruben Silva was fired from his job as a deputy after his arrest on federal drug charges. The 35-year-old was arrested by the Drug Enforcemen… Click to Read More and see additional updates


VIDEO: Duval County Deputy Fired After Arrest on Drug Charges


Duval County Sheriff Romeo Ramirez says Ruben Silva was fired from his job as a deputy after his arrest on federal drug charges. The 35-year-old was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Texas Rangers while he was at work yesterday.

"They brought him into my office. I advised Mr. Silva of my disappointment regarding this whole ordeal and informed him that he was terminated immediately," Sheriff Romeo Ramirez.

Silva is accused of taking part in a conspiracy to move several kilos of cocaine through checkpoints with his police cruiser. He made his first appearance in court at the federal courthouse in McAllen.

Silva is a democratic party candidate for Duval County Constable Precinct 4. He was employed by the Duval County Sheriff's Department for seven years, with more than three years experience working with a K-9 unit.

Prosecutors say along with Silva, two men from Mission, Texas are charged in the conspiracy. 39-year-old Jerry Tovar and 47-year-old Jose Luis Tovar allegedly paid Silva $5,000 to move the drugs.

The Tovars are also accused of selling six firearms to an undercover federal agent. Two of those weapons are said to be similar to an Uzi type. Both men also made their first appearance in court today.

Silva faces from 10 years to life in prison if convicted, plus a fine up to $20 million. The Tovars face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Duval County Deputy Accused in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

05/25/2012 11:20 AM by Ben Lloyd - blloyd@kristv.com

CORPUS CHRISTI - Duval County Sheriff's deputy Ruben Silva, 35, was arrested yesterday on charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilos of cocaine. Silva made his first appearance in federal court this morning.

Silva is a candidate for Duval County Constable Precinct 4.

Two men from Mission, Texas, 39-year-old Jerry Tovar and 47-year-old Jose Luis Tovar, allegedly conspired with Silva to transport 10 kilos of cocaine past a checkpoint by using his patrol car.

Prosecutors say Silva was paid $5,000 for his cooperation.

The Tovars were also arrested for allegedly selling six firearms to an undercover federal agent. Prosecutors say the convicted felons sold two "Uzi type" weapons to the agent. Both men also made their first appearance in court today.

Silva faces from 10 years to life in prison if convicted, plus a fine up to $20 million. The Tovars face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

source: Duval County Deputy Arrested on Federal Drug Charges | Corpus Christi, TX | KRISTV.com |

ADDED KRISTV.COM ARTICLE TO ALIPAC HOMEPAGE News with amended title ..

http://www.alipac.us/content/texas-d...ug-charge-584/