ELSA CITY POLICE OFFICER INDICTED FOR ACCEPTING MONEY TO PROTECT DRUG LOADS

MCALLEN, TX – Herman Carr, 45, of Donna, Texas, was indicted for using his official position as an officer of the Elsa City Police Department to protect a vehicle loaded with narcotics in exchange for money, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

The one count indictment, returned by a McAllen grand jury on Tuesday, August 29, 2006, accuses Carr of receiving approximately $5000 from an FBI cooperative witness in exchange for using his position as a police officer to provide protection for a vehicle he believed to be transporting five kilograms of cocaine on August 1, 2006.

Carr, who was arrested on August 1, 2006, and released on bond thereafter, will be permitted to remain on bond pending trial. While out on bond, the court has ordered that Carr limit his travel to the McAllen division, be monitored electronically, and relinquish any firearms he may possess. Additionally, the court has imposed a curfew on Carr ordering him to remain in his home between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Carr’s next court appearance will be for arraignment on the charges on a date not yet set by the court.

If convicted, Carr faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in federal prison, without parole, and a $250,000 fine.

The prosecution is the result of a continuing investigation conducted by the McAllen office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim McAlister and Jimmy Leo are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.