Above: A copy of the 34-page federal indictment details 12 counts varying from racketeering to extortion against Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos. Below: It’s been reported that Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos, who is shown during his campaign announcement for U.S. Congress last year at San Benito High School, will finish out the rest of his term as DA. (File photos)
By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Has the federal indictment of Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos set a dangerous precedent?
For San Benito Police Operations Chief Martin Morales and Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Galvan, the answer is yes.
With the DA accused of extortion and accepting cash bribes in exchange for the favorable prosecution of cases, local police argued Tuesday they have cause for concern.
“This creates integrity problems,” Morales said when asked if he was uncomfortable forwarding the San Benito Police Department’s (SBPD) cases to the DA’s office for prosecution. “The DA is innocent until proven guilty, but this does raise doubts.”
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5 comments
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It is obvious that you have very low expectations for yourself and the San Benito Community.
How do you know that your case was not lost at the San Benito Police Department? I find it ironic that with all the internal issues within the San Benito Police Department your case went missing??
My point is, lets see how it all rides out, lets not perpetuate the negative.
I can attest that for over 30 years Armando Villalobos has been an honest, compasionate hard working person. He was raised on the streets of San Benito, and has given his life in an attempt to make life better in the Rio Grande Valley. His accomplishments of civic duty far out weigh many who have come before him. I am confident that the Rio Grande Valley has not seen his best yet, I know he wants to give more.
Today our community is better place because of the good grace of Armando Villalobos and the friends and family have supported him. The Rio Grande Valley needs more like him!!
The administration of the San Benito Police Department should look within its own agency with regard to the prosecution of their cases. All investigation and case work is done at the front line, at the patrol level and Detective level. Your cases should stand on their own merit. Do not use the prosecutor as your scape goat for bad or sub-par police work. Bad police work is a direct reflection of the administration of the police department. Is the City of San Benito happy with the services that San Benito Police Department provides?!
Alex: you are obviously a Villaliar supporter. Prosecutions are supposed to occur at the courthouse. PD job is to put together as much evidence as they can so the court can prosecute…not hide or throw away cases as in Villaliars case.
I think you are missing the whole point of this indictment…he fell into that taking money for favors…. sounds to me like the FEDs did their job. Justice will be served. I think there is enough evidence to prosecute him heavily and….the SB admin will still be standing…doing their job!
I had a case that within the last 2 years went “missing”. Maybe it was my reporting to the FEDS that led up to this fraud.
KARMA baby is all I have to say!
And yes, as a SB citizen, I am happy with the PD services.
Does anyone have a broom??
No matter the outcome of the indictment….Armando Villalobos is fried…There is no way that he can overcome the damage made to his reputation….Because of him, even the candidates for DA, that are in anyway associated with Villalobos are tainted. Chuck Matthingly can kiss his rear good bye…because everything Villalobos knew he knew….He was ofter sent in front of Villalobos to cut deals for friends or to destroy his enemies.