Man pleads guilty to assisting in prison escape

August 27, 2008 - 9:19PM
By Emma Perez-Trevino, The Brownsville Herald
Antonio Castillo, 30, of McAllen pleaded guilty Tuesday to trying to help convicted drug trafficker Ricardo Garcia-Heredia escape from the Brooks County Detention Center in late June.

Public court documents reflect that Castillo paid an undercover officer nearly $300,000 in cash as partial payment of a $500,000 fee to spring 44-year-old Garcia-Heredia.

Castillo entered the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle. His sentencing has been set for 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas.

As reported earlier, former employers and friends wrote the court on Castillo's behalf, describing him as a man who overcame a troubled youth, served in the military and became a responsible, hardworking husband and father.

The court record notes that Castillo is seeking counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and is under medication for depression.

He was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The U.S. Attorney's Office issued a press statement late Tuesday, noting that Castillo faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment and a $4 million fine.

In late July, U.S. District Judge Hayden Head sentenced Garcia-Heredia to 30 years in prison for trafficking cocaine and illegal re-entry.


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