Release Date: 2008-08-28
Original Link: http://presszoom.com/story_145828.html
(BROWNSVILLE, Texas) - Antonio Castillo, 30, of McAllen, Texas, has pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in his effort to help a convicted drug trafficker to escape from federal custody, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. Castillo entered a guilty plea this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle.
(PressZoom.com) - (BROWNSVILLE, Texas) - Antonio Castillo, 30, of McAllen, Texas, has pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact in his effort to help a convicted drug trafficker to escape from federal custody, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. Castillo entered a guilty plea this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle.
At this afternoon's hearing, the United States presented its evidence proving Castillo met with an undercover agent at several locations in Harlingen, Texas, to discuss the escape of Ricardo Garcia-Heredia, a federal prisoner convicted in May 2008 of money laundering, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance facing a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life imprisonment. Garcia-Heredia was awaiting sentencing in United States District Court - Corpus Christi Division before Chief U.S. District Judge Hayden Head. During those meetings, Castillo told the agent he and others were prepared to pay $500,000 for the escape of Garcia-Heredia. Castillo agreed to pay $300,000 down, $100,000 after the escape and $100,000 one month later. On June 27, 2008, Castillo met the agent in Harlingen and delivered the $300,000 and a change of clothes for Garcia-Heredia. Castillo was subsequently arrested. On July 28, 2008, Garcia-Heredia was sentenced to 360 months confinement for the drug and money laundering convictions.
Castillo was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing. He faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment and a $4 million fine. United States District Judge Hilda Tagle will sentence Castillo Dec. 1, 2008.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Oscar Ponce.