Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra who was arrested last week on drug trafficking charges made it easier for the Mexican Gulf Cartel to operate

South Texas sheriff who was arrested last 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. Sheriff Guerra faces three charges as part of an indictment implicating him and 14 others in a drug smuggling conspiracy.He pleaded not guilty at a Friday arraignment. An indictment accuses Sheriff Guerra of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana; of being an accessory after the fact, for an alleged suggestion he made to a co-defendant to use false documents to avoid apprehension; and of facilitating the drug-trafficking conspiracy through use of a telephone.The first count 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 Sheriff Guerra and co-defendant Jose Carlos Hinojosa, a Mexico native living in Roma, Texas. Investigators allege Mr. Hinojosa worked for a member of the Zetas – the Gulf Cartel's enforcers.
Sheriff Guerra's attorney, Philip Hilder, said that Sheriff Guerra shared information with Mr. Hinojosa because he believed he worked for the Mexican equivalent of the district attorney's office. Mr. Hinojosa had helped Sheriff Guerra locate fugitives in the past, Mr. Hilder said.But Ms. Gutierrez said the recorded conversations were not like those between fellow law enforcement officers.Federal prosecutor Toni Trevino asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos to hold Sheriff Guerra without bail until his trial. Judge Ramos was particularly concerned because Starr County Judge Eloy Vera had said Sheriff Guerra could resume his duties as sheriff until the trial.Mr. Hilder said Friday that Sheriff Guerra would be willing to take a leave of absence if granted bail.The judge said she would rule on the bail Monday.