ELSA CITY POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR EXTORTION

(MCALLEN, Texas) - A former Elsa police officer has been sentenced to prison for extortion, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle and FBI Special Agent in Charge Ralph G. Diaz announced today.

Herman Carr, 46, of Donna, Texas, was convicted in November 2006 of using his official position as an officer of the Elsa City Police Department to provide protection for a vehicle he believed was loaded with narcotics in exchange for $5,000. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa sentenced Carr to 87 months in federal prison without parole to be followed by a two-year term of supervised release. Carr must also pay a $100 special assessment.

Carr has been permitted to remain free on bond pending the court’s order to surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, Jan. 14, 2007.

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