Former Trooper Jesus Larrazolo Arraigned on Drug Possession

A former state trooper made a brief appearance in federal court Tuesday morning where he was formally arraigned on a drug possession charge.

Jesus Rafael Larrazolo, 35, entered a plea of not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Felix Recio on a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to a federal indictment, the violation involved five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

Larrazolo was remanded back to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He waved briefly to his family as he was escorted out of the courtroom.

Larrazolo's pre-trial date for further judicial considerations in the case has been set for Feb. 3. Jury selection is scheduled for Feb. 5.

While employed as a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, Larrazolo was arrested on Nov. 21 in the parking lot of Best Buy in Brownsville as he was loading his car with cocaine, Brownsville police said, adding that he had just received the cocaine from another man, who fled the scene. Police said they do not know who the other individual is.

Brownsville police were conducting unrelated surveillance when they saw Larrazolo with suspicious suitcases that carried the cocaine, according to police.

As of Tuesday, Recio still had not ruled on a motion that could lead to the release of Larrazolo from jail on $500,000 bond. Larrazolo's attorney, Noe Garza, filed a motion requesting the judge to accept property owned by Larrazolo's aunt and uncle as collateral for the former trooper's release. The land is valued at $454,842.

Larrazolo's relatives, Jorge Emilio Larrazolo Rubio and Concepcion Elisa Martinez Isla, said they would not pledge their property if they believed their nephew was a flight risk, according to court documents.

Although pre-trial services during a Nov. 26 detention hearing recommended Jesus Rafael Larrazolo's bond be set at $100,000, Recio declined the recommendation and set the $500,000 bond.

During that hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lancaster asked that the former trooper be held without bond because of fears he would flee to Mexico.

FBI authorities earlier said that Jesus Rafael Larrazolo's family ties in Mexico are powerful and wealthy enough that he would be in a position to safely hide from authorities.