DPS TROOPER ARRESTED FOR ACCEPTINGMONEY TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS

(HOUSTON, TX) A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper assigned to a local Driver’s License Office has been arrested and charged with fraud relating to the unlawful issuance of state identification documents, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.  The DPS Trooper, Richard Rodriguez, 47, of Houston, Texas is accused of using his official position as a DPS Trooper with the Driver’s License Office to assist individuals to obtain Texas Identification Cards without sufficient documentation in exchange for money.  The investigation leading to the arrest of Rodriguez was conducted by the Houston office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the close cooperation of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Rodriguez was arrested late Monday, August 22, 2006 FBI agents without incident.  On Tuesday, August 23, 2006, Rodriguez was ordered released on bond, and is next expected to appear in federal court on Monday, August 28, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. for a preliminary examination hearing.

Rodriguez was taken into federal custody following the issuance of a warrant authorized by the filing of a criminal complaint which accuses Rodriguez of receiving sums of money to overlook the lack of insufficient documentation under state law to warrant the issuance of a Texas Identification Card.   The applicants seeking a Texas ID without the proper documentation worked through another individual who charged a total of $1200 to make the necessary arrangements for Rodriguez to unlawfully issue the identification documents, according to the complaint.  It is alleged that of the $1200, Rodriguez received $1000 for using his official position to provide the documents.  

The charges are part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the FBI with the close cooperation of the Texas Department of Public Safety.  The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jim McAlister.

A criminal complaint is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.