McALLEN, Texas — Two former deputy sheriffs
from Duval County, Texas, have been indicted on charges of conspiracy to
distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, United States Attorney Kenneth
Magidson announced today.
Ruben Silva, 35, of Freer, Texas, was
arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint on May 24, 2012, and an
arrest warrant is now pending for Victor Carrillo, 27, of Hebbronville, Texas.
Both were deputy sheriffs at the time of the alleged offenses but are no longer
employed by Duval County. Also arrested by separate criminal complaint in
relation to this case were Jerry Tovar, 39, and Jose Luis Tovar, 47, both of
Mission, Texas.
Silva and Jerry and Jose Luis Tovar
remain in federal custody following their previous appearances before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos. Victor Carrillo is expected to make a similar
appearance in the near future before a magistrate judge after being taken into
custody.
The criminal complaint charging Silva
alleges he conspired with Jerry Tovar and others, including Carrillo, for Silva
to transport 10 kilograms of cocaine from Mission and smuggle the cocaine north
through the checkpoint using former Deputy Silva’s Duval County patrol unit to
Freer, Texas. Once the cocaine arrived north of the checkpoint in Freer, the
alleged agreement was for the cocaine to then be further distributed by another
person designated by Tovar. The complaint alleges Silva received $5,000 as
payment for his role in the drug distribution conspiracy.
A separate criminal complaint filed
against Jerry and Jose Luis Tovar alleges the brothers sold an uncover federal
agent six firearms on May 10, 2012, near Jose Luis Tovar’s home in Mission. At
least two of the firearms allegedly sold to uncover agents were Uzi type
weapons. Both Tovar brothers are convicted felons and are prohibited from
possessing firearms. Additionally, the indictment charges Jose Luis Tovar with
possessing two additional firearms on the day he was arrested on the criminal
complaint.
If convicted, Silva, Carrillo and Jerry
Tovar face a penalty from 10 years to life and a fine of up to $20 million.
Jerry Tovar and Jose Luis Tovar face up to 10 years in prison and a fine not to
exceed $250,000 on the firearms charges.
This case is being jointly investigated
by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of
Public Safety, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and
Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cory J.H. Crenshaw and Jason C.
Honeycutt are prosecuting the case.
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