Daniel Polanco, a former Edinburg, Texas, border patrol agent, was sentenced to 166 months in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring. He was one of six law enforcement officials arrested and charged with stealing marijuana and cocaine from dealers in the Rio Grande Valley and then selling them in Houston.
The investigation began in 2011 for Operation Blue Shame and has since led to the arrest of 20 people. The operation targeted corrupt cops that stole drugs from dealers and used fake bundles to create evidence. In one particular case, prosecutors stated that Polanco planted fake drugs in an abandoned vehicle and reported it to local authorities.
According to court records, former Harris County constable Betty Jean Molina and her husband Henry Molina were indicted for six counts of drug offenses, including conspiring to possess heroin with the intent to distribute and laundering approximately $500,000 in drug proceeds. If they’re convicted, they could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the drugs involved in their offenses.
Former Edinburg police officer Hector Beltran is already serving a ten-year federal prison sentence followed by a five year supervised release for his involvement. During the investigation, it was discovered that Beltran conducted over ten seizures of fake drugs and assisted other law enforcement officials in their seizures. He denied allegations of his participation, but a jury convicted him for conspiracy to possess with an intent to distribute cocaine on July 22, 2019.
Former La Joya Police Chief Geovani Hernandez was also convicted of multiple charges, including drug trafficking and possession with the intent to distribute. According to legal documents, he accepted bribes from traffickers to exchange cash for information and guard their cocaine shipments. He’s currently serving a 20-year prison sentence and will serve five years of supervised release.
Contact Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian to Defend Your Criminal Charges
Our Collin County criminal defense lawyers are ready to take your call and discuss the charges you’re facing. We’ve been successfully representing clients in Texas for decades. Our legal team has the experience, knowledge, and resources to create a strategy that protects your rights and secures your future.
At Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian, we understand the challenging road that lies ahead. When you’re facing a criminal conviction, you worry about the impact it will have on your job, family, and reputation. If you’re sentenced to time in prison, it could upend your entire life and create difficulties upon your release. We know you’re feeling overwhelmed with the legal battle, and you can depend on us to handle every aspect of your case for you.
Our Collin County criminal defense lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call. When you hire us, we will provide personalized attention, guidance, and support until the very end. You won’t have to go through this alone. We will work hard to build a strong defense and get the charges against you reduced or dropped. To find out more about our legal services or to schedule your free consultation, call Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian at (972) 369-0577.