Thread: Man accused of plotting to free alleged trafficker

Man accused of plotting to free alleged trafficker
July 5, 2008 - 10:35PM
By Emma Perez-Trevino, The Brownsville Herald
The Cameron County District Attorney's Office and FBI arrested a man June 27 who they say was plotting to free alleged drug-trafficker Ricardo Garcia-Heredia of Hidalgo County from the Brooks County Detention Facility.



Garcia-Heredia, who is a U.S. Marshal's prisoner, is awaiting sentencing for conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.



Now, Antonio Castillo, 29, believed by officials to be Garcia-Heredia's brother, has been charged with attempt to assist in the escape after he allegedly paid an undercover investigator nearly $300,000 as a partial payment for what was meant to be a negotiated $500,000 bribe, according to a court document.



U.S. Magistrate Felix Recio set Castillo's bond at $100,000 with a 10 percent deposit. Carlos A. Garcia of Mission represents Castillo.



Court documents tell a story of intrigue and plotting with backdrops in Harlingen and Brownsville.



The alleged plot began to unravel June 17 when district attorney investigators learned of the escape plan, according to the documents.



A district attorney investigator went undercover as an officer with the U.S. Marshal's Office in Brownsville and talked on the telephone with Castillo on June 17, the public record reflects.



The record further states the investigator met Castillo the following day at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Harlingen, where Castillo allegedly gave the undercover investigator a piece of paper with Garcia-Heredia's name on it. Castillo indicated to the undercover officer - by writing the amount in dust on his vehicle - that he was prepared to pay $500,000 for the jailbreak, the document states.



The undercover officer drew a line through the amount, indicated that he would require $250,000 in advance and then later asked Castillo for $300,000, the document states.



Castillo talked again to the undercover investigator on June 26 and 27 and said he had secured $300,000, the court records states.



Of the remaining amount, Castillo planned to pay $100,000 after the escape and another $100,000 a month thereafter, the court record states. The undercover officer told Castillo that he would deliver the "cargo" to the Days Inn near the B&M International Bridge, the document states.



Officials report in the document that both men met on June 27 in the parking lot of the Cinemark 16 movie theaters in Harlingen and that Castillo handed the undercover investigator three bags containing $290,900 and clothing for Garcia-Heredia.



Law enforcement units from the Cameron County Pct. 6 constable's office then executed a felony traffic stop and arrested Castillo, who now awaits trial.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/c ... _free.html

Are They crazy??? U.S. Magistrate Felix Recio set Castillo's bond at $100,000 with a 10 percent deposit. Carlos A. Garcia of Mission represents Castillo

What about an ICE hold