Comments on Current Events In Criminal Law from the Federal Criminal Courts in Texas

December 24, 2007

NAVAL AIR STATION EMPLOYEE CONVICTED OF BRIBERY

(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi engineer technician has been convicted of bribery, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Edward E. Villarreal, 53, Corpus Christi was indicted Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, and today entered a plea of guilty to the one-count federal indictment. He is accused of accepting a $5,000 bribe in exchange for recommending Contract Construction and Fence Company for a fencing job in violation of his lawful official duty as an engineer technician with the Public Works Department at the Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi. The guilty plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Hayden Head who has set sentencing for Feb. 28, 2008.

A conviction for violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 201(b)(2)(A) and 201(b)(2)(C) carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, without parole, and/or a $250,000 fine or not more than three times the monetary equivalent of the thing of value, whichever is greater, and possible disqualification from holding any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.

Villarreal has been permitted to remain free on bond pending his sentencing hearing.

The indictment was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Rodriguez.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

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