Sheriff Reymundo Guerra Helped Aid Mexican Gulf Cartel

McALLEN, Texas

A South Texas sheriff arrested this week on drug trafficking charges made it easier for the Mexican Gulf Cartel to operate in his county and endangered fellow law enforcement agents by sharing names of confidential informants, a federal prosecutor said Friday.

FBI agents arrested Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra on Tuesday at his office in Rio Grande City. Guerra faces three counts of a sprawling 19-count indictment implicating him and 14 others in a drug smuggling conspiracy.

At his arraignment Friday, Guerra pleaded not guilty.

Federal prosecutor Toni Trevino asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos to hold Guerra without bond until his trial, contending the sheriff was a danger to the community.

"This is an issue of trust and he's shown he's willing to violate that trust," Trevino said.

Of particular concern to Ramos was that Starr County Judge Eloy Vera had said Guerra could resume his duties as sheriff pending trial.

Guerra's attorney Philip Hilder said Friday that Guerra would be willing to take a leave of absence if granted bond.

Guerra's wife, Severita Guerra, testified that her husband of 26 years was a devoted family man and active member of their Catholic church in Rio Grande City. She and two of Guerra's stepdaughters would guarantee his bond if the judge would grant it, Hilder said.

The judge said she would issue her ruling on the bond question Monday.

An indictment accuses Guerra of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana; accessory after the fact, for an alleged suggestion he made to a co-defendant to use false documents to avoid apprehension; and, facilitating the drug trafficking conspiracy through use of a telephone.

The first count alone carries a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life as well as a $4 million fine.

FBI agent Katherine Gutierrez testified about recorded phone conversations between Guerra and co-defendant Jose Carlos Hinojosa, a Mexico native living in Roma, Texas. Investigators allege Hinojosa worked for a member of the Zetas — the Gulf Cartel's enforcers.

Hilder said that Guerra shared information with Hinojosa because he believed he worked for the Mexican equivalent of the district attorney's office. Hinojosa had helped Guerra locate fugitives in the past, Hilder said.

But Gutierrez said the recorded conversations were not like those between fellow law enforcement officers.