AP article: 4 Texas officers accused of helping move cocaine

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

4 Texas officers accused of helping move cocaine

McALLEN, Texas — Federal prosecutors announced charges Thursday against four officers from a South Texas anti-drug task force who they say took thousands of dollars in bribes to guard large shipments of cocaine.

The officers — two from the Mission police department and two Hidalgo County Sheriff's deputies — were members of the "Panama Unit," which is a joint task force between the two agencies that targets drug trafficking, according to prosecutors. Mission's police chief said one of the officers was actually part of a different task force, but a prosecutor's office official didn't immediately respond to an after-hours seeking clarification.

The case sent especially large shockwaves through the local law enforcement community because two of the officers accused are the sons of top local law enforcement officials.

None of the officers has been arraigned, but Mission police officer Alexis Rigoberto Espinoza, 29, made an initial appearance in federal court Thursday on charges of twice possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos set Espinoza's bond at $100,000 and ordered him to remain under house arrest with electronic monitoring if he should make bond. She denied his request for a court-appointed attorney.

Espinoza is the son of Hidalgo Police Chief Rodolfo "Rudy" Espinoza. He did not return calls for comment and none of the charges involve his department.

Also arrested was Mission police officer Jonathan Trevino, 29, who is the son of Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino.

Two of Lupe Trevino's deputies, Fabian Rodriguez, 28, and Gerardo Duran, 30, were also charged. All three were in custody Thursday afternoon.

Jonathan Trevino's attorney did not immediately respond to a call for comment and it wasn't known if the other two had lawyers. They were expected to appear in court Friday.

full article at link: http://news.msn.com/us/4-texas-officers-accused-of-helping-move-cocaine

 

[Renz Envy]

I guess police have just been doing lines of cocaine when they're randomly parked on the side of the road.

 

[maxalfie]

I know that we have had cases of bent coppers in the UK but it does seem that some cities in the USA have bit of a problem with corrupt cops.
It certainly can't help I install confidence in the police if you keep reading stories of police corruption.

 

[mattnotrik]

All comes down to the money, and if in there situation then yeah I would.