ELSA CITY POLICE OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO ACCEPTING MONEY TO PROTECT DRUG LOAD

    McALLEN, TX – A former Elsa City police officer was convicted of using his official position as an officer of the Elsa City Police Department to protect a vehicle loaded with narcotics in exchange for money, U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

At a hearing held shortly before noon today, Herman Carr, 45, of Donna, Texas, pleaded guilty to the one-count indictment admitting he received approximately $5,000 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 Aug. 1, 2006. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa found Carr guilty of the federal offense and set sentencing for Jan. 19, 2007. Carr faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in federal prison, without parole, and a $250,000 fine. The court has permitted Carr to remain on bond pending the sentencing hearing.

The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the McAllen office of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim McAlister and Jimmy Leo are prosecuting the case.